Minnesota winters bring ice, snow and early darkness for months, and the Twin Cities' I-494 and I-694 beltways are busy year-round. Minnesota is a no-fault state, so PIP pays first, and a lawsuit for pain and suffering usually requires injuries above a threshold.
Is Minnesota a no-fault state?
Yes — Minnesota is a no-fault state. Minnesota is a no-fault state. After most crashes, your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays first for medical bills and some lost income, no matter who caused the crash. You can usually claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only if your injuries meet Minnesota's threshold.
Minnesota requires PIP covering medical and non-medical losses. You can sue for pain and suffering only above a medical-expense or seriousness threshold.
Learn more in our guide to what a no-fault state is.
How does shared fault work in Minnesota?
Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. Your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, and you generally cannot recover if you are found more than 50% responsible.
For example, if you were found 20% at fault for a crash in Minnesota, your compensation could be reduced by 20%. If your share reached the 51% bar, you could be barred from recovering from the other driver.
Read more: what comparative fault means.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is six years from the date of the injury, with some exceptions. Minnesota generally allows six years for negligence-based injury claims, but shorter deadlines can apply in some situations (for example, wrongful death).
Other deadlines can be much shorter. Your insurance policy may require prompt notice of the crash, PIP and uninsured-motorist claims can have their own timelines, and claims against a city, county or the State of Minnesota often need formal notice within months. Different rules can also apply to minors and wrongful death claims.
What are Minnesota's minimum car insurance requirements?
Minnesota requires drivers to carry at least $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage.
Minimum limits are often not enough to cover a serious injury. If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, medical payments coverage or PIP may help. See what to do if an uninsured driver hit you.
What should I do after a car accident in Minnesota?
Get safe, get medical care and protect your evidence. These steps apply anywhere in Minnesota:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move out of traffic if it's safe — especially on busy roads like I-94 or I-35W.
- Call the police and ask how to get the crash report. Minnesota generally requires reporting crashes that cause injury, death or significant damage.
- Exchange names, insurance and plate numbers, and photograph the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine — Minnesota PIP claims can depend on prompt treatment.
- Notify your own insurer, but be careful about giving the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
- Talk to an independent Minnesota attorney before signing any release, keeping the six years deadline in mind.
Our full what to do after a car accident guide goes into more detail.
Where do car accidents happen in Minnesota?
Crashes happen everywhere, but traffic is heaviest in and around Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth and Bloomington. Major routes include I-94, I-35W, I-35E, I-494, I-694 and US-169. Our attorney-matching service covers every county in Minnesota.