Deciding When To File a Lawsuit After a Minnesota Car Crash
There are several situations in which filing a lawsuit after a car accident may be necessary. If you suffered serious injuries—such as a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, or spinal trauma—you may require surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, and endure significant pain and suffering.
A lawsuit may also be appropriate if your financial losses are substantial. Medical bills, lost income, and other crash-related expenses can quickly exceed the limits of your insurance coverage—especially in severe collisions or those involving multiple injured parties. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, legal action may be your best path to securing full compensation.
Every car accident is different. Whether a lawsuit is right for you depends on how the crash occurred and how it impacted your life. An experienced car accident attorney can review the facts of your case and help you understand your legal options.
How To Know if You Have a Valid Case
To collect compensation in a Minnesota car crash lawsuit, you usually must show that the other party was negligent and that their actions caused your injuries and losses. You must have or collect evidence that proves negligence and meet the statutory requirements for suing.
Contact an attorney for a case review. They will ask for specific details about the crash and request other information to determine if a lawsuit is an option, such as:
- The extent of your injuries and financial losses
- Potential traffic violations related to the accident
- Weather, traffic, and road conditions
- Available insurance coverage
- Evidence you have already collected
- Whether an insurer has already denied your claim or offered less than you deserve
“If you’re involved in a crash or an incident causing you an injury and you believe it is the responsibility of someone else, you really should absolutely get an attorney. That’s the only way you’re going to get proper compensation for your loss… There’s a lot more than just the insurance company offering you money. They’re going to do everything they can not to pay you. They’re going to do everything they can to pay you as little as possible. And you’re not going to know what the value of your case is because this is probably the only time you’ve ever been involved in an injury. We do this every single day. In my case, I’ve been doing it for 30 years. I know what the value is in your case, and that insurance company is not going to get away with paying my client something less than full value. So I strongly recommend you hire an attorney if you’re injured in a crash.”
Minnesota Car Accident Laws That May Affect Your Claim
Violating traffic laws can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a car accident claim. When a driver breaks the law and causes harm as a result, it may strengthen your case for compensation. In Minnesota, many crashes are caused by dangerous and unlawful behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. Understanding which traffic laws may have been violated in your crash—and how those violations affect liability—can be crucial when building your case. Below are some of the key Minnesota laws that often play a role in car accident lawsuits.
Under Minnesota Statutes § 169.14, drivers must operate at speeds that are reasonable and prudent based on current road, weather, and traffic conditions—even if they are within posted speed limits.
Minnesota Statutes § 169.475 prohibits drivers from holding a phone while operating a vehicle. Even with hands-free use, accessing social media, watching videos, or searching the internet while driving is not allowed.
Minnesota Statutes § 169A.20 makes it illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Even if an arrest wasn’t made at the scene, signs of impairment can still be used as evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help determine which traffic laws may apply in your case and how they could support your claim for compensation.
What Damages Can I Seek in a Car Accident Claim?
After a car accident in Minnesota, you can sue for economic and non-economic damages, collectively called compensatory damages. Economic damages pay for your financial losses, such as medical bills, lost wages and future earnings, rehabilitation costs, and repairs to damaged property.
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal and emotional losses associated with your crash. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and emotional distress.
If your loved one died in a car accident, you can seek additional compensatory damages, such as funeral and burial costs, loss of support, and loss of guidance.
In rare but serious cases, Minnesota law allows injured parties to seek punitive damages—not just to compensate the victim, but to punish the defendant and deter similar misconduct. Under Minnesota Statutes § 549.20, you must present clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault party acted with deliberate disregard for the safety of others, such as through egregious recklessness or intentional harm.
To strengthen your case and maximize your compensation, it’s important to maintain thorough documentation. Save all medical records, repair invoices, and receipts related to your crash. Keep a pain journal to track your physical and emotional recovery, and seek mental health care if needed. An experienced Minnesota car accident attorney can help you assess the full extent of your damages—including any eligibility for punitive damages—and advocate for the justice you deserve.
How Does Minnesota’s No-Fault Insurance System Affect My Ability To Sue?
Minnesota is a no-fault car insurance state. Your personal injury protection (PIP) pays first for medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. The at-fault driver is responsible for property damage and economic damages exceeding your coverage. Your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also pay out.
Car accident lawsuits aren’t always necessary, because your combined policies may be sufficient. But not all accidents result in full recovery of economic damages through insurance, and you may be eligible to seek compensation for your non-economic damages as well.
You can sue for any remaining financial costs. However, Minnesota limits seeking non-economic damages unless one of the following applies:
- Your medical expenses exceed $4,000.
- You suffered permanent injury or disfigurement, or your loved one died.
- You were disabled for 60 days or more.
A skilled car collision lawyer can help you understand these laws and how to proceed given the specific circumstances of your case.
Can I Sue if the Accident Was Partially My Fault?
Under Minnesota Statutes § 604.01, the state follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation after a car accident—as long as you were less than 51 percent at fault. However, your total award will be reduced by your share of the blame.
For example, if your damages total $100,000 but you are found to be 30 percent at fault, you would be eligible to recover $70,000. Determining fault is often contested, and insurance companies may try to shift more blame onto you to minimize their payout. An experienced car accident attorney can push back against unfair fault assignments and help protect your right to full and fair compensation.
Minnesota’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
Minnesota’s civil statute of limitations sets strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit after a car accident. Under Minnesota Statutes § 541.05, you generally have six years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If you are pursuing a wrongful death claim because a loved one died as a result of the crash, Minnesota Statutes § 573.02 limits the filing window to three years from the date of death.
It’s crucial to act quickly. Building a strong case takes time—especially in serious accidents where liability may be disputed or multiple parties are involved. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving key evidence, locating witnesses, and avoiding missed deadlines. Waiting too long could jeopardize your ability to recover compensation altogether.
Contact Our Respected Minnesota Car Accident Attorneys To Pursue Compensation
After a car crash, you may have significant short- and long-term pain, losses, and emotional trauma. You can sue after a car accident in Minnesota, but it’s not an easy process to determine liability and seek the compensation you deserve from at-fault parties and their insurers.
At Brown & Crouppen, our award-winning attorneys level the playing field so you have a chance against insurance companies that choose profits over people by denying or minimizing claims. We are a client-first firm and will meet you at home, in the hospital, or wherever you need us.
Justice is our business. Call our accomplished lawyers at 800-536-4357 or contact us through our online form for a free consultation. From the moment you reach out, we’ll fight for you.
