Rochester Personal Injury Law Blog

Does lane splitting increase motorcyclists' safety?

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Monday, April 16, 2018.

Minnesotans who have visited California are likely familiar with “lane splitting,” the maneuver that Golden State motorcyclists use to combat the congested freeways. At first, a motorcycle whizzing past you as you sit in five lanes of traffic and coming within inches of your vehicle is a shock. After a few days on California highways, however, many out-of-state drivers get used to it.

Lane splitting is only legal in California, but as major metropolitan areas in other states wrestle with increased highway congestion for longer periods of the day, there is talk about legalizing lane splitting elsewhere. Lane splitting is illegal in Minnesota, but advocates have reached out to lawmakers requesting a change in the law.

How to prepare for a car accident

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Friday, March 9, 2018.

As a Rochester area motorist, you are probably well aware of how often car accidents happen. Though you have not been in one, you should have a thorough understanding of steps you can take after one. Many car accident victims feel disoriented and shaken up after motor vehicle collisions. It is important for you to remain calm so you can make the right decisions to prevent further injury and damage.

Motor vehicle accidents often cause some degree of injury and property damage. Regardless of how minor or major any accident you may be in is, keep the following information in mind to improve the outcome.

Andrea Niesen, Awarded Attorneys of the Year - 2017

By Carole Pasternak of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

Our associate, Andrea Niesen, was awarded to the "Minnesota Lawyer - Attorneys of the Year" for 2017 on November 22^nd. Andrea Niesen is being heralded for her amicus work influencing state appellate decisions relating to the care of mentally ill and disabled patients.

3 Unique Dangers of Driving at Night

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.

Some people love driving at night because there is less traffic, but others dislike it because it is harder to see at night. Driving after sundown presents unique dangers. According to the National Safety Council, you are three times more likely to be in a fatal accident at night than during the day.

Why is driving in the dark so dangerous? Here are some reasons why you are more likely to be in a collision when you drive at night.

What damages can be recovered after a car accident

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.

This is an important question most victims of auto collisions want answered early in their case. Be careful about the answer you get early on. Inexperienced injury lawyers, or those who want to impress you, might say you can recover a high amount to encourage you to hire them. But this is often not an easy question to answer early on. You should retain an attorney who will be straight with you, not exaggerate so you hire them.

Experienced injury attorneys know better than to speculate about any particular amount of money recovery when assessing the settlement or verdict value of a new case. Beware of anyone who tells you what your case is “worth” who has not first done a careful review of some key points. Insurers do not pay settlements to be “nice” or “fair” or to just “get the claim resolved.” They do not settle cases higher just because the lawyer asks for a high amount. They first look closely at every detail and will not put a settlement value on a case without a careful review of the following factors.

Common injuries from slips, trips and falls

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.

A premises liability claim means you are injured on someone else’s property due to the owner’s negligence. The most common cases in this area are slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall injuries. However, just because you fall after slipping or tripping does not mean you can sue somebody. To make a recovery you have to show the injury was caused by the owner’s carelessness.

It can help your case a lot if you can get a photo of what caused your fall. This is especially true with snow and ice, which can be gone or changed soon after the injury. Often, the existence of a photo can make the difference in a case’s success.

4 Fundamental Winter Motorcycling Tips

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Friday, December 8, 2017.

When the temperature starts plunging, riding your motorcycle can seem daunting. The snow and ice may be intimidating even if you have a lot of motorcycling experience. If you decide not to tuck away your ride until spring, you do need to take some precautions when riding in the winter.

Read below for key winter riding tips to avoid a motorcycle collision.

Attorney Andrea B. Niesen selected as a 2017 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer.

By Klampe Law Firm on Thursday, November 30, 2017.

Each year Minnesota Lawyer honors top attorneys throughout Minnesota for their notable achievements. The honorees were selected based on the following criteria: leadership in the profession, involvement in major cases, other newsworthy events, excellence in corporate or transactional services and public service.

What Is Your Case Worth?

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Monday, November 6, 2017.

This is an important question most victims of auto collisions want answered early in their case. Be careful about the answer you get early on. Inexperienced injury lawyers, or those who want to impress you, might state a high amount to encourage you to hire them. But this is often not an easy question to answer early on. You should retain an attorney who will be straight with you, not exaggerate so you hire them.

Experienced injury attorneys know better than to speculate about any particular amount of money recovery when assessing the settlement or verdict value of a new case. Beware of anyone who tells you what your case is “worth” who has not first done a careful review of some key points. Insurers do not pay settlements to be “nice” or “fair” or to just “get the claim resolved.” They do not settle cases higher just because the lawyer asks for a high amount. They first look closely at every detail and will not put a settlement value on a case without a careful review of the following factors.

What variables affect the cost of an insurance policy?

On behalf of Klampe Law Firm posted in blog on Wednesday, October 4, 2017.

Car insurance is required by law for Minnesota drivers and can be costly for some. You may go your entire driving career without needing to make a claim. Or you may end up making multiple claims. Since the outcome will be different for each driver, how do insurance companies determine what your premium will be?

Insurance companies use several factors when determining the rate of your policy. The state of Minnesota provides these companies with set guidelines on how they’re allowed to calculate individual premiums. Here is a list of items that may affect the cost of your insurance policy: