Accidents & Injuries in Minnesota

Minnesota Statutes Section 541.05 provides a six-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims — one of the longest in the United States. However, no-fault PIP benefit claims may have shorter internal deadlines under the Minnesota No-Fault Act. For government claims, a notice of claim must be filed under Minnesota Statutes Section 3.739. Despite the long limitations period, gathering evidence and getting legal advice promptly is advisable.

Yes. Minnesota requires basic economic loss benefits (BELB/PIP) under the Minnesota No-Fault Act (Minn. Stat. § 65B.41 et seq.). After an accident, your no-fault coverage pays your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. To sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, your medical expenses must exceed $4,000, or you must have suffered disability for 60 or more days, permanent disfigurement, or permanent injury.

Under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01, if you are 50% or less at fault, you may recover damages reduced proportionally. If you are 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other party. Minnesota requires fault to be apportioned among all parties and non-parties who contributed to the accident.

Under the Minnesota No-Fault Act, to file a tort claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering beyond your PIP coverage, your medical expenses must exceed $4,000, or you must have suffered 60 or more continuous days of disability, permanent injury or disfigurement, or death. If your injuries do not meet this threshold, your recovery may be limited to your own no-fault PIP benefits.