Augment LeadsMinnesota crash claims turn on a handful of state rules. Below: what the 2024 fatality data shows, how Minnesota handles fault and insurance, and what to ask callers. Compare deadlines in the statute of limitations by state table.
Minnesota traffic deaths in 2024
In 2024, 477 people died in Minnesota traffic crashes, a population rate of 8.2 per 100,000 (44th highest among the states and DC) and 0.81 per 100 million vehicle miles.
- Rural roads accounted for 279 deaths, 58% in Minnesota compared with 41% across the country.
- Speeding was involved in 138 Minnesota deaths, 29% of the total, versus 29% nationwide.
- Motorcyclists: 76 deaths, 16% of Minnesota's total, against 16% across all states.
- 48% of Minnesota crash deaths (231) came from single-vehicle crashes; the all-state figure is 52%.
Data: IIHS state-by-state fatality statistics for 2024. National percentages are our sum of the same table's 50 states and DC.
The legal rules behind a Minnesota car accident case
No-fault or at-fault in Minnesota
Minnesota is one of the 12 no-fault states listed by the Insurance Information Institute. Under Minn. Stat. 65B.51, subd. 3, damages for noneconomic detriment, such as pain and suffering, are available only if reasonable medical expenses, as the section defines them, exceed $4,000, or the injury causes permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, death or disability for 60 days or more.
The same section says the court deducts basic or optional economic loss benefits paid or payable from any recovery, and it defines disability as the inability to engage in substantially all of the injured person's usual and customary daily activities.
Minimum liability coverage
Minn. Stat. 65B.49, subd. 3 requires residual liability coverage of at least $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage, on top of basic economic loss (no-fault) benefits.
How shared fault is handled
Minnesota uses modified comparative fault. Under Minn. Stat. 604.01, contributory fault doesn't bar recovery if it wasn't greater than the fault of the person against whom recovery is sought, and damages are reduced in proportion to the claimant's fault.
Statute of limitations
Minn. Stat. 541.05 sets six years for an action for injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise listed.
General information, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the statute or your counsel.
Screening a Minnesota car accident lead
- Ask about medical bills so far, excluding diagnostic X-rays. Pain and suffering claims in Minnesota need medical expenses over $4,000 under 65B.51 or one of the listed injuries.
- Ask whether the injury has kept the caller from substantially all of their usual daily activities for 60 days or more, or left a permanent injury or scarring.
- Ask whether the caller has applied for no-fault benefits through their own insurer, since those benefits are deducted from any recovery.
- Write down the exact accident date; with six years under Minn. Stat. 541.05, flag any crash approaching that limit for an attorney.
- Ask whether the other driver's insurer has been in touch, and note whether the caller carries underinsured coverage; Minnesota requires only $30,000 per person in bodily injury liability.
- Ask for the county and road where the crash happened. 58% of Minnesota's 2024 deaths were on rural roads, so note the exact location for the police report request.
Augment Leads in Minnesota
We run car accident campaigns nationwide and send Minnesota leads only to firms that pick Minnesota. The injured person fills in the form, each lead goes to one firm and is never resold, and unqualified leads are replaced under a written policy. Over 50 law firms work with us. See MVA leads.
Spanish-speaking MVA leads are part of our regular product.
Frequently asked questions
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Minnesota?
Generally six years, under Minn. Stat. 541.05. Exceptions apply, so confirm the deadline on every file.
When can someone sue for pain and suffering after a Minnesota crash?
Under Minn. Stat. 65B.51, subd. 3, only if medical expenses as defined there exceed $4,000, or the injury results in permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, death or disability for 60 days or more.
How much liability coverage must Minnesota drivers carry?
Minn. Stat. 65B.49, subd. 3 requires residual liability coverage of at least $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage, on top of basic economic loss (no-fault) benefits.
How many people died in Minnesota car crashes in 2024?
IIHS counted 477 crash deaths in Minnesota in 2024, or 8.2 per 100,000 people.
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