On April 28, 2008, the Minnesota Senate approved legislation that will place restrictions on the amount of passengers a teen driver can have in the car, as well as what times a teen driver can operate a vehicle.

Minnesota has the highest rate of teenage death in the country. The newly approved legislation aims to reduce the number of teenage deaths in addition to keeping the roadways safe for everyone.

The legislation does not allow teenagers to drive between midnight and 5 a.m., except to work, school or in the accompaniment of an adult. In addition, they cannot have more than one other teenage passenger who is not a sibling. The restrictions apply to the first six months after receiving their license.

After the first six months, teenagers are limited to three teenage passengers who are not relatives for an additional six months.

The legislation is being supported by the governor and will most likely become a law.

Teenage drivers are at risk for being in serious accidents. Driver distraction and inexperience play a large role in negligent teenage driving accidents.

Car wreck attorneys are working on cases in which serious or fatal injuries have occurred due to the negligence of another.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawley recently signed a bill that will make suing insurance companies easier. The bill focuses on denied home and car wreck insurance claims.

If an insurance company denies a car wreck or home insurance claim without providing a reasonable basis for denial, the new legislation will allow policy holders to recover up to $250,000 in damages and $100,000 in attorney fees.

Those who support the legislation believe that it will help to keep insurance companies from taking advantage of policy holders.

Those who oppose the legislation say that it will increase insurance premiums.

Car wreck attorneys are working to help compensate those who have been seriously or fatally injured during a car wreck.

          Just a reminder, we are in the time of year when everything is really busy, getting ready for graduation, graduation parties, end of year school functions, moving in and out of college housing, planning for vacations, etc.  It always seems that this time of year brings along with it tragedies because of people being killed or seriously hurt in car wrecks.

          Don’t forget the need for buckling up, paying attention while driving, and the importance of not drinking and driving. 

          If you or a loved one is involved in a wreck, call the attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606.