Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

• automobile accidents
• bicycle accidents
• boating accidents
• commercial bus accidents
• intersection accidents
• motorcycle accidents
• pedestrian accidents
• rear end collisions
• semi-tractor trailer accidents
• school bus accidents
• truck accidents

The surviving family members of a fatally injured accident victim may be able to bring wrongful death charges against the defendant.

Automobile Accidents:
A car accident is a collision involving an automobile and anything that causes damage to the automobile, including other automobiles, telephone poles, buildings and trees. Sometimes a car accident may also refer to an automobile striking a human or animal. Car accidents — also called traffic collisions, auto accidents, road accidents, personal injury collisions, motor vehicle accidents and crashes — kill an estimated 1.2 million people worldwide each year, and injure about forty times this number.

Bicycle Accidents:
According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 67,000 cyclists in the U.S. are injured every year in accidents involving motor vehicles.  Many cyclists who are injured in bicycle accidents are unaware that they have a personal injury case and that they may be entitled to compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills and lost incomes.  A cyclist may be entitled to receive compensation for an injury sustained because of a pothole, poor road or defective sidewalk.  There are state mandated residential and commercial bicycle laws, which entitle cyclists to observe different traffic rules than cars, trucks and other motorized vehicles.  This may mean that the cyclist is not legally responsible for an accident.

Motorcycle Accidents:
Motorcycle riders are often exposed to dangers not met by automobile drivers and other motorists on the road.  The lack on any substantial protective barriers, as well as the difficulty that other motorists may have in seeing or stopping for a motorcycle, leaves riders prone to serious personal injury in the event of an accident..

In almost all states, a bite victim can recover compensation from a person whose negligence caused the attack and from a person who violated a leash law, a trespass law applicable to dogs or other dog safety laws.  The owner or keeper of a dog is strictly liable for his or her dog, even if it is the first time the dog has injured someone.  As long as the injured victim was not trespassing, teasing or tormenting the dog, the keeper or owner of the dog is liable for any injuries sustained.  Compensation for a dog bite can include payment for medical bills, pain & suffering, mental anxiety, fear and scarring.

Insurance Claims:
Insurance claims are a notice for reimbursement from an insurance company when the insured has suffered a loss that is covered under the insurance policy. Insurance companies cannot refuse to pay a customer's claim without "reasonable justification."  This means that an insurance company must engage in a reasonable investigation and pay legitimate claims in a timely manner.  If an insurance company fails to handle its customer's claim properly, it may be held accountable for resulting economic losses, including lost wages, interest on money the insured borrowed to cover expenses while insurance benefits were wrongfully withheld, and loss due to damaged credit.

Wrongful Death:
A wrongful death occurs when a person is killed due to the negligence or misconduct of another individual, company or organization.  A legal action for wrongful death belongs to the decedent's immediate family members, usually a surviving spouse and children, and sometimes parents.  Under certain circumstances, unrelated minor children living with and supported by the decedent may also bring a claim for wrongful death.  In order to bring a successful wrongful death cause of action, the following elements must be present:

• The death of a human being caused by another's negligent or intentional conduct.
• The survival of family members who are suffering the loss of financial support, love, care, comfort, supervision, guidance, household assistance and general society previously provided by the deceased.

The general rule in wrongful death cases is that one is entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages which are suffered as a result of the loss of a loved one.  Economic damages in a wrongful death case include an award for the financial contributions which the decedent would have made to his or her spouse, children and/or parents had he or she survived.  It also includes the recovery for funeral service expenses in memory of the decedent and for burial cost.  Non-economic damages include loss of love, society, companionship, comfort, affection, solace or moral support.

If you or someone you know in the Twin Cities area or throughout Minnesota needs the assistance of an experienced St. Paul/ Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyer, call Attorney John Wood today at 866-786-4997 (client inquires only), or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

What is Personal Injury?

Personal Injury is any physical or mental injury to a person that is the result of another person’s negligence or harmful act. Personal Injury involves civil law cases as opposed to criminal law cases which involve a defendant and the State of Minnesota. Personal injury Attorney John Wood has experience in representing accident victims who have suffered serious personal injury. Personal injury is often referred to as bodily injury, and can occur in a wide variety of ways. The following are some of the most common accidents resulting in personal injury:

• Auto Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Boating Accidents
• Dog Bites
• Wrongful Death Accidents
• Large Truck Accidents

What financial compensation can I recover in a personal injury claim?

Accident victims may be entitled to recover money damages for all losses and expenses that they suffered as a result of the accident. Depending upon the particular circumstances of your case, damages may include recovery for any of the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost Wages, including overtime
• Pain & Suffering
• Physical Disability
• Disfigurement
• Permanent Scars
• Emotional Trauma
• Mental Anguish
• Loss of Enjoyment
• Loss of Love & Affection
• Embarrassment
• Mental Disability
• Property Damage, and
• All out of pocket expenses (transportation charges, doctor/hospital bills, medical equipment, etc).

How do I know if I have a case?

In order to prevail in a personal injury lawsuit in Minnesota, you must be able to show that you have been injured and that your injury resulted from the intentional or negligent conduct of another. The injury may be a physical injury or it may be an emotional injury. By consulting with Minnesota personal injury attorney John Wood, you will be in a better position to determine whether or not you have a case and the strength of your case.

If you or someone you know in the Twin Cities area or throughout Minnesota needs the assistance of an experienced St. Paul/ Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyer, call Attorney John Wood today at 866-786-4997 (client inquires only), or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

• 36 Years in Practice
• Admitted to Practice Law in All Minnesota Courts
• Expertise in Automobile Neck and Back Injuries
• Expertise in Medical Aspects of a Personal Injury Case
• Routinely Obtains Exceptional Results for his Clients