Rochester Personal Injury Lawyers

Getting hurt in an accident is stressful enough without having to deal with an insurance company, too. One call from an adjuster, and suddenly you are worried about medical bills, missed paychecks, and whether anyone is actually looking out for you.

That is where a Rochester personal injury lawyer from Knutson + Casey comes in. We treat you like a person, not a file number, and we can handle the tough conversations so you can focus on getting better. Contact us today at (507) 344-8888 to talk with someone who is on your side.

Why Choose Knutson + Casey

The lawyer you choose can make a difference in the outcome of your case, more than most people realize going in. Here is why so many people in Rochester trust us after an accident:

  • More Than Three Decades in Southern Minnesota: We have been representing injured people since 1992.
  • A Full Range of Legal Knowledge in One Place: Our attorneys handle more than 30 areas of law, from car accidents to criminal defense, so you never have to go looking for help somewhere else.
  • A Track Record Clients Can Point To: We have won meaningful verdicts and settlements, and even secured not-guilty verdicts in serious felony trials, for clients across southern Minnesota.
  • The Attention of a Small Firm, the Muscle of a Large One: You get a real relationship with your attorney, backed by the resources it takes to stand up to a well-funded insurance company.
  • Attorneys Recognized by Their Peers: Randall Knutson and Patrick Casey have both been named Minnesota Attorney of the Year, and Randall has held a spot on the Minnesota Super Lawyers list every year from 2011 through 2024.

Once you become our client, the same attorney can stay with you from beginning to end, so you never have to explain your story to someone new partway through. And before we ever discuss compensation, we want to understand how this accident has actually affected your work, your family, and your daily life.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Rochester

Our firm represents people who were hurt because someone else was careless or negligent, and every case receives the personal attention of an attorney who knows the local courts and community. As a team of Rochester personal injury lawyers, we can build each case around the specific facts of the crash and the medical realities our client now faces.

Types of Injuries We Represent

  • Car Accidents: Rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, and highway wrecks throughout Rochester and Olmsted County.
  • Truck Accidents: Commercial vehicle crashes involving semis, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles.
  • Motorcycle Accidents: Crashes where riders face a higher risk of catastrophic injury due to limited protection.
  • Slip and Falls: Injuries caused by unsafe conditions on business or residential property.
  • Wrongful Death: Claims brought by families who lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence.

Common Injuries and Their Long-Term Impact

The physical toll of an accident often lasts far longer than most people expect. Some of the injuries that can follow someone well past the initial recovery include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Can affect memory, mood, and the ability to hold a job long after the visible bruises fade.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: May require ongoing therapy, mobility equipment, or home modifications that reshape daily life.
  • Fractures: Even breaks that look straightforward on an X-ray can demand surgery, physical therapy, and months away from work.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and whiplash may not show up on imaging but can cause lasting pain and limited mobility.
  • Internal Injuries: Damage to organs or internal bleeding may not be obvious right away, yet it can require extensive treatment and monitoring.

We can build claims around this long-term reality, not just the emergency room bill, so a settlement reflects what recovery actually costs.

How Minnesota Personal Injury Law Works

Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident, as long as your fault does not outweigh the other party’s. Under Minnesota Statutes section 604.01, any compensation awarded gets reduced by your percentage of fault, so a driver found 20 percent at fault would still recover 80 percent of their damages.

Insurance companies may use this rule to shift blame onto injured people and lower what they ultimately pay. A personal injury attorney in Rochester can push back against that tactic and work to present an accurate picture of what actually happened.

What Compensation Can You Recover

Every claim looks different because every injury and every life looks different. Our Rochester personal injury attorneys can evaluate medical costs, lost income, and the broader disruption an accident causes before pursuing a resolution on your behalf.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Compensatory damages in a personal injury claim generally fall into two categories. Economic damages cover the costs you can calculate directly, such as medical bills, prescription costs, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages address harder-to-quantify losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of everyday activities.

Our team at Knutson + Casey can document both categories thoroughly, because a settlement that only covers your bills often overlooks the toll an injury takes on your quality of life. Contact us today at (507) 344-8888.

The Minnesota Statute of Limitations for Injury Claims

Minnesota gives you time to file a personal injury claim, but that clock is already running. Under Minnesota Statutes section 541.05, most injury lawsuits must be filed within six years of the accident. Six years might sound like plenty of time, but evidence does not wait around. Witnesses forget details, security footage gets erased, and vehicles get repaired or sold long before a case ever reaches trial.

Wrongful death claims follow a different, shorter timeline, so families facing this situation should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Talking to a Rochester personal injury lawyer soon after your accident can help protect the evidence and options you still have.

What to Do After an Accident in Rochester

A few smart moves in the hours and days after a crash can make a difference in your claim, including:

  • Call the Police: A Rochester Police Department report creates an official record of what happened and who was involved.
  • Seek Medical Care: Visit a clinic or another local provider right away, even if you feel fine at first.
  • Document the Scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries before they disappear.
  • Be Careful With Insurance Calls: Stick to the basic facts with your insurer, and wait on recorded statements or quick settlement offers until you have spoken with an attorney.
  • Reach Out to a Rochester Personal Injury Attorney: Contact our team early on so we can start protecting your evidence right away.

These steps will not undo what happened, but they can put you in a stronger position if your case moves toward a claim or a courtroom.

How Our Rochester Personal Injury Attorneys Help

Our team at Knutson + Casey can handle the parts of your case that tend to feel overwhelming, so you can focus on getting better. Depending on your situation, that may include requesting police reports and medical records, negotiating with insurance adjusters, and determining what your claim may be worth, including costs you might not have considered yet.

If an insurer does not offer a fair resolution, we may prepare your case for trial and take it there if necessary. From your first call onward, you typically work with the same attorney, so you do not have to start over with someone new.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Rochester?

We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, so there is nothing to pay upfront and no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Minnesota?

Most claims must be filed within six years under the law, though acting quickly can help keep the evidence fresh.

Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Yes. Minnesota’s modified comparative fault law lets you recover damages as long as your share of the fault is not greater than the other party’s.

What should I avoid saying to an insurance adjuster?


Try to avoid recorded statements, admitting fault, or accepting an early settlement before you have talked to a Rochester personal injury attorney.

Do I really need a lawyer for a minor accident?

Even a minor accident can turn into something more serious later on, so a quick conversation can help you understand what your claim might be worth.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Knutson + Casey

An accident can leave you with more questions than answers, and you do not have to figure it all out on your own. At Knutson + Casey, we offer a free, no-pressure consultation to help you understand your options as a Rochester personal injury lawyer client deserves. Contact us today at (507) 344-8888 for a free consultation.