Motorists in the Twin Cities know that if they plan to drive on the wrong road at the wrong time, they could find themselves experiencing significant delays because of traffic. Many of the major roadways are often stop-and-go at best during rush hour, and even during non-peak times, drivers know that they should build extra time into their schedules.
Unfortunately, when there are that many vehicles in one spot at one time, it frequently leads to motor vehicle accidents. Recently, the Minnesota State Patrol has released some provisional numbers concerning traffic fatalities so far in 2013. Nearly 300 people have been killed in Minnesota car accidents, and this number will continue to increase throughout the rest of the year. This pace is similar to 2012, when nearly 400 people died in auto accidents.
The state is taking several steps to help reduce the number of individuals killed in these crashes. Because many of these crashes often involve the use of alcohol, law enforcement agencies throughout Minnesota are increasing the number of officers out looking for impaired motorists. The holiday season often results in many DUI arrests, and officers hope that removing these individuals from the roadways will result in fewer fatalities.
Law enforcement officers have also recently participated in a crackdown on unsafe commercial vehicles. Several of these drivers were stopped for random inspections to determine if their vehicles were in safe operating condition. Those drivers with faulty equipment faced fines and potential out-of-service orders until the defects were resolved.
Officials are also conducting campaigns geared at informing teen drivers about some of the dangers of distracted driving. These programs are designed to educate teens at a very early stage in their driving careers, helping them learn safe driving habits before they even get behind the wheel.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You need to have someone on your side who knows how to handle these types of cases. You may have never been involved in anything like this in the past, and it is important that you understand your options at this time.
An attorney will be able to answer any questions that you have, and help you learn more about what you can do to recover compensation from those who caused your injuries. You will also be able to discuss the terms of settlement offers that you are receiving, so that you can make an informed decision about accepting or rejecting these offers from insurers.
