Car Accident Lawsuit in Minnesota

Minnesota is a no-fault state requiring $40,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) — split as $20,000 for medical and $20,000 for income loss/replacement services. A tort claim for non-economic damages (pain and suffering) against the at-fault driver requires meeting the verbal threshold: permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, disability for 60+ days, or medical expenses exceeding $4,000.

The statute of limitations for personal injury MVA claims in Minnesota is two years from the date of the accident (Minn. Stat. § 541.07). For no-fault PIP benefit claims, the claimant must notify the insurer within six months and file suit within six years of the loss. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of death.

Venue is proper in the county where the accident occurred, where the defendant resides, or where the plaintiff resides (Minn. Stat. § 542.09). Hennepin County (Minneapolis) and Ramsey County (St. Paul) handle the largest MVA dockets. Minnesota follows pure comparative fault — plaintiff recovery is permitted regardless of their percentage of fault, reduced proportionally.

Minnesota minimum liability limits are 30/60/10. UM/UIM coverage must be offered at the liability limits; rejection requires a written, signed waiver. Minnesota's UM/UIM minimum is 25/50. The state's uninsured rate is relatively low (~9%), but UIM claims are common given that minimum-limits defendants are frequent. Stacking of UM/UIM benefits is permitted under Minnesota law.