Were you recently injured in a car accident in Minneapolis? You may be wondering how the insurance process works and whether you can take legal action against the driver who caused the crash. Minnesota is one of roughly a dozen states that operate under a no-fault car insurance system, which means your legal options might look a bit different from those in most other places across the country.
Learning how the no-fault insurance system applies to your situation is an important first step. An experienced car accident lawyer can walk you through your specific case, but here is a general overview to get you started.
How No-Fault Insurance Works in Minnesota
Under Minnesota’s no-fault system, your own auto insurance policy is the first source of payment after a crash. This applies regardless of who caused the accident. Every driver in the state is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with a minimum of $40,000 per person. That amount breaks down into two parts:
- Up to $20,000 for medical expenses related to the accident, including hospital visits, surgeries, and more
- Up to $20,000 for non-medical costs like lost wages and essential replacement services you can no longer perform on your own due to your injuries
Since these benefits come from your own policy, you do not need to wait for a fault determination before receiving help. That is one of the main advantages of the no-fault system. However, PIP coverage does not pay for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages, which is where the limitations come in.
When You Can Step Outside the No-Fault System
Minnesota law does allow injured drivers to pursue a claim against the at-fault party, but only if their injuries meet at least one of several legal thresholds.
These include:
- Medical expenses totaling more than $4,000, not counting the cost of X-rays
- A disability lasting 60 days or longer, whether consecutive or spread out over time
- A permanent injury resulting from the crash
- Permanent disfigurement caused by the accident
- A fatality connected to the collision
If your case meets any one of these conditions, you gain the right to file a claim against the other driver’s liability insurance. This opens the door to compensation for both pain and suffering and for economic damages that PIP did not fully cover.
What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Although Minnesota drivers are required to carry auto insurance, some motorists drive without coverage or carry only the minimum required limits. If an uninsured or underinsured driver causes your accident, you may still have options for recovering compensation.
In addition to your no-fault benefits, your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may provide compensation for losses that exceed your PIP benefits. These policies are designed to protect you when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance to cover the damages they caused.
Reviewing your policy and understanding the available coverage can be important after a serious accident.
Contact Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation With a Minneapolis Car Accident Lawyer
Minnesota’s no-fault system provides fast access to certain benefits after a car accident. However, it also limits your ability to pursue full compensation on your own. If your injuries are serious enough to meet one of the state’s legal thresholds, you may have the right to seek additional damages. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys is here to help you pursue compensation.
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and their surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.97514068188609, -93.27349979814521
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320, St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.55903612908877, -94.16420517306956
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203, Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.90963991439301, -93.34937342327198