Skilled Burnsville Car Accident Lawyer

Last updated on May 14, 2026

Car accidents can lead to a variety of challenges that are hard to manage on your own. For instance, your vehicle is likely damaged, and you may have sustained crash injuries too. To get prompt medical care for your collision, you will need funds that can help cover your treatment, diagnostic tests, prescription medications and hospital bills. While these scenarios may feel scary, you are not alone on this journey.

At Otten Law Offices, in Burnsville, we serve the south metro area with experienced, caring legal representation. Our award-winning car crash attorney, Paul Otten, has more than 35 years of experience, and he can assist you and your family after an accident. Contact us today for a free consultation at 952-303-0702.

Your Right To Seek Compensation For Your Car Accident

There is nothing wrong with pursuing compensation from the negligent party’s insurance company and your own; in some cases, additional parties may be involved. You have paid into your insurance policy for years for reasons just like this car accident.

However, trying to handle your claims process on your own can feel unfamiliar and difficult, which is why you need a skilled car accident lawyer who can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life. With extensive knowledge and experience in this field, your attorney can advocate for your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

You Can Come To Us For Any Motor Vehicle Accident

We take cases involving all types of motor vehicle crashes, including:

• Rideshare vehicles
• Commercial vehicles and large trucks
• Motorcycles
• Pedestrians
• Bicycles
• Distracted driving accidents
• DUI accidents

With over three decades of legal experience, we know how to efficiently investigate the accident, determine liability and seek compensation for you.

Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist Coverage In Minnesota

Minnesota law requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to protect drivers when accidents involve inadequately insured vehicles. This coverage is essential when you are injured by drivers who carry no insurance or insufficient coverage limits to compensate for your damages. Given Minnesota’s no-fault system, having adequate protection helps bridge gaps when other parties cannot provide full compensation.

Understanding when these coverages apply can help you recognize their importance for comprehensive protection:

• Uninsured motorist coverage: Applies when you are struck by drivers who carry no liability insurance, or in hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
• Underinsured motorist coverage: Becomes necessary when at-fault drivers carry insurance, but their policy limits are insufficient to cover your full damages.
• Minimum coverage requirements: Minnesota mandates $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for both coverages, though higher limits provide better protection.
• No-fault system considerations: Since your car policy primarily covers economic losses regardless of fault, these coverages become important for accessing pain and suffering compensation.

These coverage types work together to provide comprehensive protection when other drivers cannot adequately compensate for the harm they cause.

For example, if another driver causes $100,000 in damages but only carries $30,000 in liability coverage, your underinsured motorist coverage can help pay the remaining $70,000, subject to your policy limits. Similarly, hit-and-run accidents may rely on uninsured motorist coverage when the responsible party cannot be found.

Even with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, navigating these claims can be complex. Auto insurers may dispute the extent of your injuries or challenge the value of your damages. Having a dedicated car accident lawyer by your side is crucial for dealing with these poor insurance company tactics and protecting your rights.

Our legal team understands how to maximize recovery under these policies while dealing with insurers who may attempt to minimize your payouts. We work diligently to calculate your damages accurately and fight for the compensation you deserve when inadequately insured drivers cause your injuries.

Car Accident Whiplash Injuries: What To Know

Whiplash injuries are among the most common consequences of car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions. They occur when the head and neck are suddenly forced backward and then forward, which strains the soft tissues in the neck.

Even low-speed collisions can cause whiplash, and symptoms may not appear immediately. That delay can lead many car accident victims to underestimate the seriousness of their condition. Common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Muscle weakness, neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull
• Dizziness or blurred vision
• Hoarseness and trouble swallowing
• Numbness or loss of sensation
• Shoulder and/or upper back pain
• Tingling or burning in impacted areas

Unfortunately, whiplash symptoms often worsen over time, especially without medical attention. Some experience chronic pain or long-term mobility issues that can significantly interfere with daily life and work.

Because symptoms may be subtle or even absent at first, it is critical to seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. A prompt diagnosis supports healing and recovery while also creating a documented record of your injuries.

Your injury-related medical records can be essential if your case escalates into a legal claim. Auto insurers often challenge soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, making a professional diagnosis crucial to strengthen your position. Proper documentation helps prove how the injury impacted your life, opening a pathway to the maximum available compensation.

At Otten Law Offices, we understand how whiplash can disrupt your life. Our team is ready to guide you through every step of the legal process.

Car Accident FAQ

How is fault determined in a car accident?

In Minnesota, we use a no-fault system for car accidents, which means that your insurance policy covers your medical bills and loss of income, no matter which party is at fault. These are economic damages; noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, are only available if you meet certain criteria. We can explain that in detail at your free consultation.

There is also the comparative fault system, which is used to determine the percentage of fault of each party involved in the accident. Under Minnesota law, you can only seek damages if you were less than 50% responsible for the accident.

Can you claim compensation if you were a pedestrian hit by a car?

Yes, you can recover compensation as an injured pedestrian. In many cases, the driver is often blamed for the accident. There is, however, the same comparative fault system for pedestrian accidents as for car accidents. If you were jaywalking or breaking a different traffic law, you could bear some fault for the accident.

As a no-fault car accident state, Minnesota’s laws require the parties to file a claim under their own personal injury protection (PIP) policy to cover their medical bills and lost income.

As a pedestrian accident lawyer, Paul Otten understands the devastation that pedestrian accidents can cause. It only takes a minor collision with a car for a person to be seriously or fatally injured.

How long do you have to file a claim after a car accident?

The statute of limitations to file a claim in Minnesota varies by injury type. For car accidents, you have six years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for your damages.

Let Us Help You Figure Out What Steps To Take Next

You can rely on our compassion and knowledge as we work through the details of your car accident case. Plus, you will owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. To schedule a free consultation with Mr. Otten, contact our Burnsville office today at 952-303-0702 or send us an email online.