Car accident claims: what to do next in Minnesota

Who pays first: no-fault benefits

Minnesota law aims to pay crash victims quickly, without regard to who caused the crash. Every policy must include basic economic loss benefits, often called PIP. They pay you and people in your household for medical bills, lost wages and help with tasks at home.

The minimum is $40,000 for each injured person. That is $20,000 for medical bills and $20,000 for lost income, help at home, funeral costs and losses to survivors. Lost income is paid at 85 percent of your gross pay, up to set limits. These benefits do not pay to fix your car.

Source: Minnesota Statutes 65B.44: Basic economic loss benefits · as of Oct 5, 2026

Source: Minnesota Statutes 65B.44: Basic economic loss benefits · as of Oct 5, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Commerce says to make no-fault claims within six months of the crash. The law lets a policy set a notice period of at least six months. A late notice cuts your benefits only if the insurer shows it was harmed by the delay.

Claiming against the other driver

You can claim from the other driver for costs your no-fault coverage does not pay. To claim for pain and suffering, your reasonable medical costs must be more than $4,000. Some x-rays and rehab costs do not count. If costs are lower, the injury must cause lasting scars, a permanent injury or death. Being unable to do most daily tasks for 60 days or more also counts.

Source: Minnesota Statutes 65B.51: Limits on claims for pain and suffering · as of Oct 5, 2026

How fault is shared

Minnesota compares your fault with the fault of each person you claim against. If your fault is not greater than theirs, you can recover, but your money is cut by your share. If your fault is greater than that person's, you get nothing from them. In a no-fault case, the court also takes out benefits paid or payable to you.

Coverage drivers must carry

Minnesota policies must cover at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash for injuries you cause to others, plus $10,000 for property damage. They must also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash each. That coverage helps when the other driver has too little insurance or none.

Source: Minnesota Statutes 65B.49: Required coverages · as of Oct 5, 2026

Source: Minnesota Statutes 65B.49: Required coverages · as of Oct 5, 2026

Reporting the crash

If a crash hurts or kills someone, each driver must stop, share their details and help. Then they must tell the police in a city, the State Patrol on a state highway, or the county sheriff, by the quickest means. If you hit a parked car with no one in it, find the owner, tell an officer or leave a note.

Minnesota drivers no longer file their own written crash report. The rule that required it was repealed on July 1, 2021. Officers who investigate a crash file the report. You can ask Driver and Vehicle Services for a copy with form PS2503, and a copy costs $5.

Source: Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services: Request a crash report · as of Oct 5, 2026

Deadlines

Most Minnesota injury lawsuits must be filed within 6 years. A claim for a death must be filed within 3 years after the death, and within 6 years of the act that caused it. A lawsuit about underinsured motorist coverage has a 4-year limit.

Minnesota has several different time limits after a crash, and exceptions can apply to each one. People's Justice is not a law firm. We do not review your crash or recommend a lawyer. If you want, you can use the form on this page to ask to be connected with a law firm that pays us to advertise.