Minnesota Car Accident Laws: What To Know (2026)

Minnesota Car Accident Statistics and Crash Data

In 2025, Minnesota saw 64,776 crashes. Of those, 17,477 resulted in injuries, and 352 accidents were fatal. These fatal accidents caused 373 deaths. Included in the total number of crashes are 46,947 property damage collisions.

Understanding Minnesota's No-Fault Insurance System

One of the most important Minnesota car accident laws to be aware of is that the state follows a no-fault insurance system. Generally, if you’re in an accident, you will first have to file a claim against your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to recover your losses. You don’t have to prove negligence or wrongful conduct in these instances.

If you sustain injuries that go beyond what your PIP coverage can address, though, you may be entitled to begin a personal injury claim against the liable parties. To accomplish this, however, you will need to establish that those parties were at least mostly responsible for the collision.

Minnesota Auto Insurance Requirements

Minnesota requires every driver to carry auto insurance. Residents and nonresidents alike must maintain auto liability coverage and basic economic loss benefits. You must also have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Minimum no-fault (PIP) coverage in the state is $40,000 per person, per accident. For liability insurance, you must carry the following minimums:

• $30,000 to address injuries that one person suffers
• $60,000 for injuries to two or more people
• $10,000 for property damage that you cause someone else

Your uninsured/underinsured minimum coverage must be $25,000 for injuries to one person and $50,000 for injuries to two or more people.

How Fault Is Determined in Minnesota Car Accidents

Minnesota car accident laws don’t require that you prove the other party was to blame for the crash unless you’re stepping outside of the no-fault system. If that’s the case, then an investigation will determine who is responsible for the collision.

Lawyers and insurance companies will typically gather videos, photos and witness statements to determine how the crash occurred. If one of the parties involved acted in a way that another reasonable person would not have, they could be held liable.

Minnesota's Comparative Negligence Rule

Minnesota follows modified comparative negligence laws. These laws state that you can still recover losses after a crash as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. Your winnings will usually be reduced by your degree of liability, however.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Minnesota

After being in a car accident in Minnesota, taking a few crucial steps can make a difference in whether the claims you file are successful. Here’s what you should do:

• Ensure you and your passengers are safe.
• Call emergency services to get medical personnel to the scene.
• Make certain law enforcement arrives.
• Exchange information with the other party.
• Start gathering evidence from the scene.
• Speak with witnesses.
• Let your insurer know you were in a crash.
• Speak with a car accident lawyer.

Avoid making any mention of fault, since that can be used against you later on. The sooner that you contact an attorney to assist you, the better your chances of obtaining a fair settlement will be.

Statute of Limitations for Minnesota Car Accident Claims

Minnesota car accident laws also include a statute of limitations that gives you two years to file a claim in most cases. There are circumstances that could extend or shorten this timeline, however.

Types of Compensation Available in Minnesota Car Accident Cases

In a Minnesota car accident claim, you can receive economic damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. Non-economic damages are often available, too. These address your loss of enjoyment of life and your pain and suffering.

When to Talk to a Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer

If your injuries are serious enough that your losses will likely surpass your PIP coverage, it’s time to speak with an attorney about filing a personal injury claim. You should not attempt these legal actions on your own because you could end up walking away with a much smaller settlement than you deserve.

Another instance when you will need to hire an attorney is if fault is being disputed. Insurance companies can try to pin the blame on you to avoid paying you what you are entitled to. With an attorney on your side, you can defend your rights.

Additionally, if there are multiple parties involved in the collision, you should ensure you have representation. Having a lawyer could improve your chances of obtaining compensation to cover all of your losses.

Trust ConsumerShield With Your Minnesota Car Accident Claim

After suffering losses in a Minnesota accident, you may be entitled to file a claim to recover both economic and non-economic damages. At ConsumerShield, we can help you connect with Minnesota attorneys who can guide you through every step of this process. Contact our team for a free consultation to get started today.