Car accident injury claims in Minnesota

Minnesota at a glance

Fault rule

Modified comparative — 51% bar

You can recover only if you were 50% or less at fault; your award is reduced by your share.

No-fault state?

Yes

Your own PIP coverage pays for injuries first, regardless of who caused the crash.

PIP / no-fault coverage

$40,000 minimum per person ($20K medical + $20K combined income loss/replacement services/funeral/survivor); income loss 85% gross capped $500/wk; funeral cap $5,000; replacement services cap $200/wk; survivor's economic loss cap $500/wk; survivor's replacement services cap $200/wk

Threshold to step outside no-fault

Applies

Noneconomic damages require one of: $4,000+ medical expenses OR 60+ days disability OR death/permanent injury/permanent disfigurement (§ 65B.51 subd. 3)

Minimum liability coverage

30/60/10 BI/PD + $40,000 PIP + 25/50 UM/UIM (all mandatory)

Time limit for an injury claim

6 years

Generally measured from the date of the accident.

How fault works in Minnesota

Minn. Stat. § 604.01 subd. 1 — contributory fault does not bar recovery if it was 'not greater than' the fault of the person against whom recovery is sought, with damages diminished in proportion to the claimant's fault. A plaintiff at exactly 50% recovers (reduced by 50%); a plaintiff at 51%+ recovers nothing. Subd. 1a defines fault broadly (negligence, recklessness, strict liability, breach of warranty, unreasonable assumption of risk, product misuse, failure to mitigate). Last clear chance is abolished.

Paying for injuries in Minnesota

MN is an add-on no-fault state under ch. 65B. § 65B.44 sets a $40,000 minimum per person = $20,000 medical + $20,000 combined (income loss, replacement services, funeral, survivor's economic loss, survivor's replacement services). Income loss = 85% of gross capped at $500/week; funeral capped $5,000; replacement services $200/week; survivor's economic loss $500/week; survivor's replacement services $200/week. PIP pays own-carrier benefits up to limits regardless of fault. The tort threshold (§ 65B.51 subd. 3) gates noneconomic damages: $4,000 medical OR 60+ days disability OR death/permanent injury/permanent disfigurement; economic damages above PIP are collectible from the tortfeasor without the threshold. Disputed PIP ≤ $10,000 goes to mandatory binding arbitration (§ 65B.525). MN Commerce guidance imposes a 6-month claim-filing requirement. The $40K structure was NOT raised in 2022 (2022 Chapter 95 is the agriculture appropriations act); last substantive subd. 1 amendment is 2002 c 274 s 1.

Minnesota injury claims — common questions

Is Minnesota a no-fault state?

Yes. Minnesota is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your medical bills and certain losses first, regardless of who caused the crash. You can step outside the no-fault system to pursue the at-fault driver only if your injuries meet a legal threshold.

What is Minnesota's fault rule for a car accident?

Minnesota follows modified comparative — 51% bar. You can recover only if you were 50% or less at fault; your award is reduced by your share.

How long do I have to file an injury claim in Minnesota?

In Minnesota the statute of limitations for a personal-injury claim is generally 6 years from the date of the accident. Miss it and the claim is usually barred for good — separate from any deadlines your insurer sets.