Recent Blog Posts

Ten Secrets the Insurance Adjuster won't share with You

Butwinick Donaldson — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:45:00 GMT

Insurance Secret #1

Why does the insurance adjuster recommend that I not hire a lawyer?

Insurance settlements handled without a lawyer are usually significantly lower. In fact, according to a study done by the Insurance Research Council,

injured people who hire an injury lawyer get 3 1/2 times more money

than those who do not hire any attorney. Insurance companies are motivated to keep the money for themselves. Butwinick Donaldson works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing to us until we get you money. We are motivated to fight for you!

Insurance Secret #2

If I hire an attorney will my case require a jury trial? Will I have to go to court?

Robert Butwinick and Donald Donaldson are experienced injury lawyers and can generally get the highest value for your claim without the delay of a trial. Jury trials can delay your resolution for years. Butwinick Donaldson are motivated to resolve your claim as quickly as possible!

Insurance Secret #3

If I negotiate my own settlement, will I get all the money I have coming? How do I know if the insurance adjuster's offer is fair?

You don't. The fair settlement value of your case may be thousands of dollars. Remember, the insurance adjuster isn't working for you. The adjuster is working for the insurance company and is being paid to negotiate and settle your claim for the lowest amount of money possible. Robert Butwinick and Donald Donaldson are tough, aggressive and experienced attorneys and they will work for you! They work daily with numerous insurance companies. Whether your injury is soft tissue or catastrophic, based on their experience, they will know the real value of your claim.

Insurance Secret #4

Can the insurance adjuster choose my doctor or limit the medical treatment I receive? I don't have a doctor and I believe I need specialized treatment.

The insurance company is legally obligated to compensate you for reasonable medical treatment, up to the limits of your policy. If needed, we can assist you in finding appropriate medical care. Tell the treating physician, hospital or chiropractor you were in a car accident, motorcycle accident or truck accident and give them your auto insurance information.

Insurance Secret #5

I have received Medical Information Releases from the insurance company adjuster. Should I sign them?

No!! DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING! An unrestricted release for medical records should only be signed under limited circumstances. The ActionLawyers, Bob Butwinick and Don Donaldson will determine what you need to sign and revoke any signed releases that my jeopardize your claim.

Insurance Secret #6

I was injured in a car accident by an uninsured driver. Do I still have a claim?

You may have uninsured and underinsured coverage on your insurance policy. If you have been in a car accident or truck accident and the other driver is uninsured or underinsured Butwinick Donaldson can advise you on what you can claim under your policy.

Insurance Secret #7

I didn't cause the accident and we didn't call the police because we didn't think anyone was injured. But, I am injured. Can I still bring a claim?

Yes. It's certainly easier to prove if law enforcement is made aware. However, the experienced attorneys, Robert Butwinick and Donald Donaldson will investigate your car accident and get you reimbursed for your medical bills, lost wages and your pain and suffering.

Insurance Secret #8

I was a passenger injured in an accident caused by a friend. Do I have to sue my friend?

Your friend has auto insurance to protect others when they are injured because of your friend's negligence. Our intent is not to create financial hardship for your friend. This is your claim and you will be advised on the settlement negotiations with the insurance company. If, at any time, you are not comfortable with the process you can direct us to discontinue.

Insurance Secret #9

My medical bills are mounting and my good credit is being hurt. What can I do to stop possible lawsuits and judgments?

The insurance company may bring a low offer to you at this time because they know you are under financial stress. The ActionLawyers, Bob Butwinick and Don Donaldson can negotiate with creditors or help make arrangements to stop collection and pay your bills directly from your settlement.

Insurance Secret #10

The insurance company has ordered an Independent Medical Exam. Do I have to attend?

When you are injured in a car accident or truck accident you will likely be asked by your own insurance company to attend an IME (Independent Medical Exam). Your insurance company doesn't want to pay any more of your medical bills, so they will hire a physician to review your records and determine whether or not added medical treatments are necessary. The attorneys at Butwinick Donaldson strive to be certain all outstanding medical bills have been paid by the insurance company prior to your attending the IME. In most cases the "Independent" physician will agree with the insurance company and recommend no further medical treatment is needed. Robert Butwinick and Don Donaldson will arbitrate with the insurance company and fight to reinstate your right to medical treatment!

The ActionLawyers, Bob Butwinick and Don Donaldson, keep current with the specialized laws and regulations affecting personal injury cases. Contact a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer at 1-800-832-2224 or complete the free claim evaluation form to get The ActionLawyers fighting for you!

When should you hire an injury lawyer?

Butwinick Donaldson — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:10:00 GMT

When should you contact an attorney regarding your potential injury claim?
Right away!!

You have probably heard those words said aloud many times. Remember them when you need help with your injury claim because you are no match for the insurance companies.

We are motivated to get you all the $$$$$ you deserve!

CNN revealed damning evidence against major insurance companies which are making billions of dollars profits by underpaying car accident victim's claims.

The profits being held by these big insurance companies are monies that should be paying victim's doctor bills, lost wages and rehabilitation. However, the strategy adopted by the insurance companies has become one of paying less to victims and keeping the money for themselves. Hire BUTWINICK DONALDSON to protect your rights and get you all the money you are entitled to receive!

CNN's investigation found that if you are injured in a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall or truck accident, major insurance companies will likely challenge your soft tissue, wrongful death, brain injury or broken bone claim and/or drag you into court causing huge delays.

The ActionLaywers, Bob Butwinick and Don Donaldson, will fight for you against any corporation that puts profits over people!

Call the Minneapolis personal injury attorneys at Butwinick Donaldson today at 1-800-832-2224 or complete the free online consultation and get The ActionLawyers working for you NOW!

Do you know what to do when you're in a car accident?

Butwinick Donaldson — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:00:00 GMT

If you've been in a car accident or a motorcycle accident:

STOP! It's the law. You must stop if you've been in an accident.
Call the Police! The other driver may try to convince you there is minimal damage and ask you to refrain from calling the police and they may suggest you simply exchange insurance information. Call the Police! It is important the facts are documented by law enforcement. The other driver may change his/her perception of what caused the crash if the police are not called.
Call an Ambulance! If someone involved in the car crash needs emergency medical care, call an ambulance. Tell the dispatcher when you dial 911 if someone has an immediate medical need.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver! Provide your drivers license and insurance information with the other driver and obtain their information. Review their insurance card to see the dates of coverage. Write the information down! You may also photo the driver's license, insurance card and license plate of the other vehicle with the camera on your cell phone. Be sure to get the other driver's telephone number and ask if they have changed their home address. Take photos of vehicle damage and injuries.
Witness Information! Write down the names, telephone numbers and addresses of all witnesses and passengers in both vehicles.
Seek Medical Treatment! When you have been injured in a car accident it is important that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Broken bones may be an obvious injury but pain and stiffness may take a few days to appear. Be sure to tell your treating physician, orthopedic doctor or chiropractor that you have been in a car accident.
Talk to a Lawyer! The best time to contact a lawyer is immediately following your injury. Contact Butwinick Donaldson, your Minneapolis personal injury lawyers to represent you against the insurance company. Let us handle the "stuff" so you can take care of your health. We will make sure your medical bills are being paid and get you the money you deserve!

Butwinick Donaldson has two offices conveniently located in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota. We will visit you in the hospital or at your home. After hour appointments are possible. We will work around your schedule. We work for you!

Call Bob Butwinick and Don Donaldson at 800-832-2224 ... Call Now!

Welcome to our Personal Injury Blog

Personal Injury Attorney — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 23:44:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the launch of our Personal Injury Blog with an RSS feed available at Blog/Entire-Blog-Feed/RSS.xml

Man fell from wheelchair in Minnesota fall accident

Butwinick Donaldson — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:20:00 GMT

The Star Tribune reported a 39-year-old man, who is a paraplegic, was involved in a Minnesota fall accident when he fell out of his motorized wheelchair last Wednesday morning.

The Minnesota fall accident victim was found on the ground by his personal care attendant. He suffered extreme hypothermia due to the temperature being about 0 – 10 degrees.

The man was taken to Tri-County Hospital, where he later died from his injuries he suffered in the Minnesota fall accident.

An autopsy is pending to determine what caused the man’s death and who was involved in the Minnesota fall accident.

The Minnesota slip and fall accident lawyers at Butwinick Donaldson can help if you were injured in an accident.

Four-fatality crash may have involved alcohol

Butwinick Donaldson — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:15:00 GMT

Four are dead after a Cambridge auto accident where alcohol was likely a factor, according to Minnesota authorities in an article from StarTribune.com.

A 16-year-old, who had her license for three weeks, driving a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am collided with a 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada SUV that caught fire. The SUV’s driver and passenger were both killed.

The Cambridge auto accident also killed the 15-year-old, 17-year-old and 21-year-old passengers of the Grand Am. The Grand Am teen driver is in serious condition.

Do you think more restrictions should be put on Minnesota teen drivers? What do you think about Minnesota curfew laws?

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Cambridge auto accident, the Minnesota auto accident lawyers at Butwinick Donaldson can help.

Survey questions severity of Minnesota’s drunk driving laws

Trine Jensen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:15:00 GMT

In a survey of experts on drunk driving laws across the United States, results show that Minnesota is strong on enforcement but softer than many states when it comes to punishing drunk drivers, according to an article from The Star Tribune.

The article says Minnesota has no minimum sentence for criminal vehicular homicide, and nearly 900 people have been killed in alcohol-related Minnesota car accidents over the past five years.

What is your opinion of Minnesota drunk driving laws? Are they too lenient? What punishment or penalties should someone face if another driver or bystander dies as a result of driving under the influence?

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Minnesota auto accident, the Minnesota DUI attorneys at Butwinick Donaldson can help.

Driver flees scene after hitting cop

Butwinick Donaldson — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:20:00 GMT

A driver slammed into a police car stopped at the intersection of Venture Drive and Steve Reynolds Boulevard in Duluth.

According to an article from the Gwinnett Daily Post, the vehicle fled the scene after hitting the car, and the officer received minor injuries.

Do you think hit-and-run accidents are a problem in Duluth? What penalties should someone face if they leave the scene of a Duluth accident? Has this happened to you before?

If you or someone you know is involved in an auto accident of any kind in Duluth, the Duluth auto accident lawyers at Butwinick Donaldson can help.

Minneapolis car accident leaves two injured

Butwinick Donaldson — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:25:00 GMT

A Metro Transit bus in Minneapolis was involved in an accident that sent two people to the hospital.

KARE11.com reports that a vehicle veered to miss the bus, and it flipped. The two victims were taken to Hennepen County Medical Center. The Minneapolis bus was not in service at the time of the accident.

Is there a time at night or in the early morning that you don’t feel safe driving in Minneapolis? Why?

If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident, the Minneapolis car accident attorneys at Butwinick Donaldson can help.

Man suffered Minnesota dog bite from police dog

Butwinick Donaldson — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 19:20:00 GMT

A 21-year-old man suffered a Minnesota dog bite injury from a K-9 dog on Sunday morning, as reported by Winona Daily News.

The police pulled the man over for having a headlight out and was suspicious of him hiding something under his seat. The man then got out of his car and fled. He was later caught by the K-9 dog when it inflicted a Minnesota dog bite injury to his buttocks.

The Minnesota dog bite victim was taken to Winona Health to be treated. He was later cited for having a headlight out, no driver’s license, no proof of insurance, and faces possible drunken driving charges.

Man charged for St. Paul auto accident

Butwinick Donaldson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:15:00 GMT

KSAX reported a man, who is serving an eight-year sentence, was convicted of causing a St. Paul car accident in 2006.

The man was driving a Toyota Camry when he tried to stop his car; instead he caused a Minnesota auto accident in which three people were killed.

The man stated he tried to apply the brake to stop his car, and it failed to stop when he caused the St. Paul auto accident. His attorneys are investigating to see if his car has similar problems that are involved in the latest recalls by Toyota.

The St. Paul car accident attorneys at Butwinick Donaldson can help if you were injured in a Minnesota auto accident.

Company recalled Minnesota defective product

Butwinick Donaldson — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:40:00 GMT

United Press International reported a Minnesota-based company issued a recall on LED light kits that were imported from China.

Reports by the U.S. Consumer Products Commission stated the Minnesota defective product pose a burn or fire hazard due to incorrect wiring, which may cause the battery pack to overheat.

The company encouraged people to stop using the Minnesota defective product and to obtain a free repair kit.

Man sentenced for Minnesota DUI court case

Butwinick Donaldson — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:15:00 GMT

Pine Journal reported a district judge sentenced a 61-year-old man for causing a Minnesota DUI accident on August 22.

The man drove his car into the passenger side of a police car while he was under the influence of alcohol. His blood-alcohol level was 0.28 at the time of the Minnesota DUI accident, which was three and half times the legal limit.

Both police officers suffered critical injuries from the Minnesota DUI accident.

The man who caused the Minnesota DUI accident was sentenced to serve three months in jail and pay a fine.

The Minnesota DUI accident lawyers at Butwinick Donaldson can help if you were injured in an accident.

Man suffered Minnesota brain injury in hit-and-run

Butwinick Donaldson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT

November 12, 2009

Star Tribune reported a 27-year-old was arrested and charged for causing a hit-and-run accident early Saturday morning and leaving an 18-year-old man with a Minnesota brain injury.

The boy was walking with three friends on the shoulder of Rice Lake Road when he was hit by an SUV. The Minnesota brain injury victim remains in critical condition at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

One of the brain injury victim’s friends also suffered injuries as a result of the Minnesota auto accident.

$21.6 million awarded for Minnesota wrongful death lawsuits

Butwinick Donaldson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:33:00 GMT

A Washington County judge awarded a $21.6 million verdict for the Minnesota wrongful death lawsuits last June, as reported by Star Tribune.

Lawyers are fighting for a $45 million award for punitive damages on top of the $21.6 million awarded for the Minnesota wrongful death lawsuits.

Four young adults were killed in September 2003 when their car was hit by a train and crossing gates were not working properly to prevent the accident, which led to the Minnesota wrongful death lawsuits.