1. SiebenCarey
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, workers’ compensation, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, mass tort, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, third-party liability claims, workers’ compensation
Background: Founded in 1952 as Minnesota’s first personal injury law firm. The firm has represented over 70,000 people throughout the region. Sixteen trial attorneys at SiebenCarey are Super Lawyers or Rising Stars honorees. The firm has 7 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists from the Minnesota Bar Association and 3 Board Certified Trial Advocates. Five attorneys have been recognized as Attorneys of the Year. The firm operates under the “Know Your Rights” philosophy.
Location: Minneapolis, MN (serving Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota)
Contact: https://www.knowyourrights.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, workplace injuries
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, PIP claims
Background: The firm has championed the cause of the seriously injured for over 50 years. The firm provides legal services for personal injury accident victims in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Contact: https://www.schwebel.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
3. Knutson + Casey
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, recreational accidents, dog attacks, defective products, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claims, third-party liability claims, evidence gathering, court filings
Background: Founded in 1992, Knutson + Casey is recognized as a premier hometown law firm with a long history of successful case results. The attorneys are members of groups limited to those who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The firm is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA).
Location: Minneapolis, MN (also serves southern Minnesota)
Contact: (507) 344-8888 | https://knutsoncasey.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Sand Law, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, truck accidents, wrongful death, dog bite injuries, slip and fall accidents, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, commercial truck accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence collection, case building for maximum compensation
Background: Sand Law, LLC is an aggressive Minnesota litigation firm with attorneys who focus in personal injury. The firm has developed a vibrant personal injury practice serving all of Minnesota. The firm carefully selects cases to ensure attentive representation for each client.
Location: St. Paul (First National Bank Building), Minneapolis (Grain Exchange Building), Woodbury (near 494 and Valley Creek Road), White Bear Lake (near 35-E and HWY 96)
Contact: (651) 291-7263 | https://www.sandlawllc.com
Consultation: Free confidential consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Meshbesher & Spence
Practice Focus: Car accidents, personal injury, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, mass tort, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, PERA disability claims
Case Types Handled: Auto collisions, motorcycle crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical device injuries, drug recall cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, PERA and MSRS disability claims, workers’ compensation claims, mass tort litigation
Background: Since 1961, the firm has represented injured individuals and families who have lost a loved one due to negligence or wrongdoing. The firm is nationally recognized with 60 plus years of service. Ken Meshbesher was one of the original partners. James Sheehy continues to serve clients in consultation with the firm’s legacy of unwavering commitment to justice.
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Contact: (612) 339-9121 | https://www.meshbesher.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Minnesota
Statute of Limitations: Minnesota has different statutes of limitations depending on the type of claim. For personal injury claims from car accidents, the deadline is six years from the date of the accident under Minnesota Statutes Section 541.05(5). However, for injury lawsuits specifically, the deadline is two years under Minnesota Statutes Section 541.07. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is three years from the date of death under Minnesota Statutes Section 573.02. Claims against car manufacturers for defects have a four-year deadline. Property damage claims have a six-year deadline.
No-Fault Insurance System: Minnesota is a no-fault car insurance state. After an accident, you file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to cover medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. You cannot sue the at-fault driver unless you meet specific thresholds established by Minnesota Statutes Section 65B.51.
Tort Threshold to Sue: To step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, you must meet one of the following criteria: at least $4,000 in reasonable medical expenses, or injuries resulting in permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, or at least 60 days of disability.
Modified Comparative Negligence: Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01. If you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50% at fault (i.e., 51% or greater), you are barred from recovering any damages from the other party.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Minnesota requires comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Drivers must carry: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $10,000 for property damage liability, $40,000 per person in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage ($20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses), and $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Minnesota law requires drivers to notify police of any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Accidents involving injuries or fatalities must be reported immediately by the quickest means of communication available.
Damage Caps: Minnesota does not have caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases arising from car accidents.
No-Fault Insurance Claims Deadline: Injured parties must notify their insurance company of any no-fault car insurance claims within six months of the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system work after a car accident?
Minnesota operates under a no-fault auto insurance system, meaning after a car accident, you file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance regardless of who caused the crash. Your PIP coverage pays for medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limits. However, PIP does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. To pursue those damages against the at-fault driver, you must meet Minnesota’s tort threshold: either $4,000 or more in medical expenses, or injuries resulting in permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, or at least 60 days of disability. Only after meeting these thresholds can you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for full compensation.
What is the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Minnesota?
Minnesota has multiple statutes of limitations depending on the type of claim. For personal injury lawsuits arising from car accidents, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, you have three years from the date of death. For property damage claims, the deadline extends to six years. However, you must notify your own insurance company of any no-fault claim within six months of the accident. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation. Exceptions may apply for minors (the clock starts when they turn 18) or for those who were mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident.
How does Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
Under Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are more than 50% at fault (51% or greater), you are completely barred from recovering any damages from the other party. This rule makes establishing fault and minimizing your assigned percentage of responsibility critically important. Insurance companies often try to assign fault to reduce payouts, making documentation and legal representation valuable.
What are Minnesota’s minimum auto insurance requirements?
Minnesota requires drivers to carry comprehensive auto insurance including: bodily injury liability coverage of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident, property damage liability of at least $10,000, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $40,000 per person ($20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses like lost wages), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Driving without proper insurance is a misdemeanor in Minnesota. If you cannot show proof of insurance during a crash, you may face criminal charges and potential jail time.
What damages can I recover after a car accident in Minneapolis?
Through your own PIP insurance, you can recover economic damages including medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services (like housework you cannot perform). However, PIP does not cover pain and suffering or other non-economic damages. If your claim exceeds your PIP coverage and you meet Minnesota’s tort threshold ($4,000 in medical expenses or qualifying serious injuries), you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Through litigation, you can pursue additional economic damages beyond PIP limits plus non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. Minnesota does not cap these damages in personal injury cases.