On October 16, 2014, two vehicles collided while going westbound on Highway 10. Gene Schimmele of Baxter, Minnesota, who is 58 years old, suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the accident. The name of the person killed has not been released in order to give law enforcement time to contact the family. The accident took place near milepost 219.
Minnesota State Patrol is currently investigating the crash.
While the road conditions were dry when this accident took place, the accident reminds drivers to prepare for harsh winter conditions ahead. Even under the best of road circumstances, car accidents can still occur. When road conditions are less than ideal, drivers need to be more vigilant in order to avoid crashes. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported 387 traffic fatalities in 2013, due to the extremity of winter conditions during that calendar year.
When one takes a closer look at the statistics, it becomes evident that many of these fatalities were preventable. 21% of the accidents were the result of drinking and driving. Another 20% of the accidents were attributable to speeding. 18% could have prevented had the drivers not been distracted while driving. In 2013, over 30,000 people were injured in traffic accidents. Over 1000 of these accidents involved life-altering injuries. In this case, victims face years of rehabilitation, costly medical bills, and changes in their quality of life that may lead to them being unable to maintain their jobs or to find new work.
Clearly, whatever the driving conditions, drivers have a responsibility to their fellow motorists to be sober, focused on the road, and to follow all traffic laws. When preventable accidents occur they are tragic, not only because they were clearly preventable, but also because the consequences are often costly to all parties involved.
Every year, the Centers for Disease Control reports that distracted driving kills nine people every day. Distracted driving occurs when drivers take their eyes off the road, take their hands off the steering wheel for any reason, or don’t focus on driving.
If you’ve been in a car accident and believe that you are not at fault, a personal injury lawyer can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine whether you might be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. While it can be difficult to determine whether the other motorist was distracted while driving, a skilled personal injury lawyer may be able to make that determination based on a careful analysis of the accident.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is focused on providing its clients with top-notch representation. The firm can help you receive compensation for your injuries either through an out-of-court settlement, or through litigation, if needed. If you have been injured in a car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you need a personal injury lawyer who can help you seek justice: you need the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino.