Minnesota introduced its No-Fault automobile insurance law on January 1, 1975. The primary goal was to reduce automobile injury lawsuits by preventing cases involving less severe injuries from reaching court. Specifically, the law restricts recovery of damages unless an injury is deemed permanent.

At Falsani Balmer, we’ve experienced firsthand the challenges this law can present, as illustrated by the case of Rankin v. Mid-Century Insurance Co. (No. C6-00-1657, Minn. App. 2001).

The Case: A Collision in Duluth

Our client was a young woman riding as a passenger in her friend’s vehicle when they were struck by an uninsured driver at a busy intersection in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Immediately after the accident, she experienced significant pain in her upper leg. Medical evaluations confirmed serious implications, including a prognosis from an orthopedic surgeon indicating that she would eventually need an artificial hip replacement.

Navigating Uninsured Motorist Claims

Since the at-fault driver lacked auto insurance, our client sought compensation from her own insurance policy under her Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Minnesota law mandates UM coverage in all auto insurance policies to ensure protection against negligent uninsured drivers.

Unfortunately, our client’s insurer refused to offer a fair settlement, prompting us to take the case to trial. The jury unanimously agreed that our client would indeed require future hip replacement surgery. Surprisingly, however, they did not acknowledge her injury as permanent. Under Minnesota’s No-Fault insurance regulations, this decision meant our client was initially barred from receiving any compensation for her injuries.

Appealing for Justice

Believing the jury’s conclusion to be unjust, we appealed the decision to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Thankfully, the appellate court recognized the gravity of our client’s situation, overturned the jury’s original verdict, and awarded our client rightful compensation for both her current and future suffering.

The Importance of Experienced Legal Representation

This case highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls associated with Minnesota’s No-Fault automobile insurance law. Without experienced legal counsel, victims of automobile accidents might inadvertently lose the compensation they rightfully deserve.

At Falsani Balmer, we fight tirelessly to ensure our clients receive fair compensation for injuries sustained in automobile accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, don’t navigate these complexities alone—contact our experienced team today for dedicated and compassionate legal assistance.

Contact Our Accomplished Attorneys For the Counsel You Deserve.

If you have been injured or become disabled, call or email us to schedule a free initial case consultation. We are happy to talk with you in person, over the phone, via videoconference, or any other method.

We will evaluate your case and answer your questions. As lawyers, we are ethically bound to advise you on whether you have a case or not. There can also be financial and other considerations that factor into determining next steps.

You have nothing to lose in talking with us about your legal rights.

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Phone: 218-723-1990
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