Minnesota Car Accident Law

Minnesota Car Accident Fault

Minnesota has adopted the Proportional Comparative Fault at 51% standard of negligence. Proportional Comparative Fault at 51% means that if the injured party is 51% or more at fault in the car accident, he is absolutely barred from recovery for the other driver’s negligence.

MINNESOTA CAR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITS

Minnesota Bodily Injury Liability Minimum Coverage

Personal Injury (single passenger): $30,000 in coverage for injury to an individual.

Personal Injury (multiple passengers): $60,000 in coverage for the driver and passengers in the car at the time of the accident.

Property Damage: $10,000 of minimum coverage.

Minnesota Small Claims Limit: Car accident claims under $7,500 should be filed in Small Claims Court.

Minnesota Personal Injury Statute of Limitations: The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Minnesota is 2 years from the date the injury occurred, or the time the injury was discovered if it could not have been immediately discovered.

Minnesota Statutes Online: Minn. Stat. §541.01 (Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury); Minn. Stat. §169.791 (Insurance Requirements); Minn. Stat. § 491A (Small Claims Limits).

MINNESOTA CAR ACCIDENT REPORTS

Minnesota Police Reports: You may obtain a copy of a police report by visiting the local police department where the accident occurred. If you are listed on the accident report, the police will automatically mail a copy of the report to you. If the police were not notified, you can request a copy of a car accident report by mail or in person at Driver and Vehicle Services by completing a Crash Record Request.

DMV: Minnesota requires that each driver involved in a car accident that involves injury, death, or more than $1,000 of property damage file a Crash Report either online or in writing within 10 days of the accident with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. You must contact the local police department if the car accident resulted in injury, death, or damage to public property.

Insurance Notification: You should promptly notify your auto insurance company of a car accident. In addition, your insurance company may have specific notification requirements, so you should check your insurance policy for these notice requirements.