{"id":374216,"date":"2016-09-29T16:37:50","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T21:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-car-accident-compensation-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-03T11:52:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T16:52:41","slug":"minnesota-car-accident-compensation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-car-accident-compensation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Car Accident Compensation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Minnesota Car Accident Compensation Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In some states, you can recover damages after your car accident, regardless of whether you were at fault. Minnesota law does not look kindly upon people who cause traffic accidents, which is why you should familiarize yourself with Minnesota car accident compensation laws.<\/blockquote>\r\n

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 400 fatal motor vehicle accidents<\/a> in Minnesota in 2023, while thousands of other motorists were hurt in non-fatal car crashes. <\/p>\r\n

This article explains Minnesota car accident laws and discusses how the law can impact your car accident claim. Finally, it describes the type of damages you can demand in your personal injury lawsuit. <\/p>\r\n

If you still have questions about your car accident case, immediately contact an experienced Minnesota car accident lawyer.<\/p>\r\n

Minnesota Car Accident Compensation Laws at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The chart below highlights some of the most essential elements of Minnesota’s car accident compensation laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statute of Limitations<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Under Minnesota law, you must file your personal injury claim before the statute of limitations period expires. The specific filing deadlines in Minnesota are as follows:<\/p>\r\n

Limits on Damages<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Minnesota’s no-fault system requires damages to first exceed specific minimums (Minnesota Statutes \u00a7 65B.44<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Other Limits<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

The court will reduce your damages if you were partially at fault (Minnesota Statutes \u00a7 604.01<\/a>, Minnesota Statutes \u00a7 65B.51<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a Minnesota car accident lawyer or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

\u201cNo-Fault" System<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Minnesota designed its legal system for insurance claims to reduce litigation as much as possible. The State\u2019s \u201cno-fault<\/a>" system requires parties to file a claim against their own insurance policy with their own insurance company before they file a claim elsewhere. This is true regardless of whether you\u2019re the at-fault party.<\/p>\r\n

Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage will pay for some of your medical treatment and other out-of-pocket expenses. However, the policy limit for PIP is often low and will not begin to cover your damages.<\/p>\r\n

Your car accident attorney can file suit against the other motorist once you have exhausted your insurance claim options.<\/p>\r\n

Exceptions to the No-Fault Rule<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

There are exceptions to the no-fault rule. <\/p>\r\n

Sometimes, you can file suit directly against the at-fault driver in an auto accident. To do this, you must meet specific criteria<\/a>. These include:<\/p>\r\n