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Minnesota Personal Injury Laws & Statutes
Serious Injury: No Fault Benefits
What is available to injured claimants?
Insurance will be available from your own auto policy or the policy of the vehicle in which you were riding provides benefits for:
- Medical Expenses ($20,000 limit)
- Wage Loss ($250/wk. max.)
- Replacement Services
- Primary Homemaker Benefits
Most people who are injured in motor vehicle accidents in Minnesota are covered by no fault benefits. Your no fault benefits typically come from the insurance you have on your own vehicle. If you do not have insurance, the coverage may come from the vehicle in which you were riding. Most people who are hurt in a car crash will be covered by some form of no fault coverage unless they own but fail to insure their own motor vehicle. Those who are injured in motorcycle accidents often will not have no fault coverage, as this is an elective coverage for motorcycle insurance. The typical policy is $20,000 of medical expense benefits and $20,000 of economic loss benefits. Some policies can be higher and every Minnesotan has the opportunity to elect to stack their benefits if they have more than one vehicle which is insured for no fault.
View the Minnesota Statute relating to No Fault benefits: Minn.Stat.§65B.44 subd. 6 Survivors economic loss benefitsWrongful Death: No Fault Benefits
What is available to the next of kin?
Insurance will be available from your own auto policy or the policy of the vehicle in which the decedent was riding which typically provides the following benefits:
- Funeral Expenses ($2,000 limit)
- Medical Expenses ($20,000 limit)
- Wage Loss ($250/wk. max.)
- Replacement Services
Minnesota Teen Driving Rules
In May 2004, a law went into effect referred to as “Vanessa’s Law” in memory of Vanessa Weiss, who was killed in May 2003 just days before her 16th birthday. She was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old. Provisions of this law apply to drivers under age 18....
Minnesota Driving Rules of Road
Minnesota Subrogation Laws
Subrogation: The legal right of an insurance company to be paid back for benefits paid on your behalf after your accident. It is also known as a "right of recovery" or "right of reimbursement". The most common form of subrogation is when your health insurance provider pays some of your medical bills, and then demands to be paid back for those bills when you receive your settlement or verdict. Subrogation may also apply to such benefits as Medican Assistance, Medicare, or short/long term disability coverage.
No Fault Benefits are not subject to subrogation. In auto accident cases the amount subject to subrogation is usually limited to those bills paid after no fault coverage runs out (over $200,000) or after benefits have been cut off...
Minnesota Dog Bite Law
If a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is acting peaceably in any place where the person may lawfully be, the owner of the dog is liable in damages to the person so attacked or injured to the full amount of the injury sustained. The term “owner” includes any person harboring or keeping a dog but the owner shall be primarily liable. The term “dog” includes both male and female of the canine species...
Minnesota Rules Involving Children’s Claims
Anytime the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit is a minor (under 18), there are special rules which must be kept in mind. Minnesota Statutes require certain procedures be followed when handling such a claim. These rules affect the ethical obligations if the attorney, require court approval of all settlements, and affect the distribution of the proceeds after the case is resolved...
Minnesota Wrongful Death Laws
A claim for losses resulting from the death of a family member caused by someone else's negligence. Wrongful Deah claims are brougt on behalf of the Next of Kin by a Court Appointed Trustee...