Free Case Evaluation
Minnesota Uninsured Driver Accident Lawyers
Helping car accident victims obtain coverage when irresponsible drivers are uninsured or underinsured
Even though drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles must have liability insurance, many drivers do not have insurance. And drivers who do have liability insurance often have just the bare minimum. Minimum coverage is often not enough to pay for all your medical bills, income loss, pain and suffering, property damage, and other damages. Just one night in a hospital can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC has 50 years of experience fighting for car accident victims and other personal injury victims. The good news is that most accident victims have another remedy (other than holding negligent drivers liable). If you have uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance, we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve through your own insurance policy. Call us now to protect your rights if you’re struck by a hit-and-run driver.
Free Case Evaluation
How can we help you?
What are the liability insurance requirements in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the owners and operators of any motor vehicle must have insurance coverage in the following amounts:
- Bodily injury for one accident victim in one accident. $30,000.
- Bodily injury for multiple accident victims in one accident. $60,000.
- Property damage in one accident. $10,000.
- Personal injury protection (PIP). $40,000.
- UM/UIM insurance for one victim in one accident. $25,000.
- UM/UIM insurance for multiple victims in one accident. $50,000.
Bodily injury insurance compensates personal injury victims for their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of bodily function, and all damages due to their physical and emotional injuries. Bodily insurance also compensates families when a vehicle accident takes the life of your loved one.
PIP insurance pays for your medical bills and lost wages up to the amount of your coverage – without the need to prove fault. Generally, PIP benefits in Minnesota (if you have the $40,000 in coverage) pay $20,000 for medical bills and $20,000 for lost income. PIP also pays up to $20,000 for survivors’ benefits and up to $5,000 for funeral expenses – if a vehicle accident is fatal.
UM/UIM insurance pays your damage claim if the driver who struck you does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to pay your full claim. Many drivers in Minnesota do violate the law by driving without insurance. These drivers can face criminal charges, the loss of their driver's license, and other consequences. Many drivers who do obey the vehicle insurance laws only purchase the bare minimum amount of coverage.
Property damage includes damage to your car and damage to any other property, such as when a negligent driver drives through road barricades or fences.
What types of damage can accident victims claim after a vehicle crash?
Accident victims can file a fault claim if they have medical expenses of $4,000 or higher (not counting X-ray expenses), a permanent injury, a disability that lasts 60 days or more, a permanent scar or disfigurement, or a loved one died.
The value of your car accident claim depends on the following:
- All your current and future medical bills. These expenses include emergency transport, emergency room or burn center care, hospitalizations, visits with physicians, rehabilitative care, medications, and assistive devices or assistive technology.
- All your income losses to date and all your future income losses because you can’t work due to your injuries.
- Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering
- The damage to your vehicle
- All other financial and personal damages, which include the inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, loss of consortium, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of bodily function.
The more serious your injuries are, the more your case is generally worth. In catastrophic cases, such as if you have a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, traumatic amputation, or burn injuries; your case will likely be worth more than the minimum insurance policy limits.
How can UM/UIM insurance help me?
What if I’m injured by a hit-and-run driver
Police officers may start an investigation right after a hit-and-run accident. They will canvas the scene for any leads that can help find the other driver. Unfortunately, often these investigations do not yield the needed details to find and catch such drivers. In some instances, police know who the other person was behind the wheel, and sadly, that driver was driving without auto insurance.
We can file a claim against your insurance provider for uninsured motorist (UM) benefits. Your UM/UIM policy should apply to hit-and-run drivers.
Drivers may not stop because they are intoxicated, don’t have insurance, are driving on a suspended license, or for other reasons.
Can members of my family use my UM/UIM coverage?
Generally, household members and named insureds may qualify for UM/UIM benefits, depending on the specific terms of your policy. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we can explain who qualifies to file a UM/UIM claim. The people who qualify to file a UM/UIM claim should also qualify for PIP benefits.
Can I use UM/UIM insurance if I’m a pedestrian or bicycle rider?
Pedestrians and bicycle riders can usually file a UM/UIM claim if they have a UM/UIM policy. Our Minnesota uninsured/underinsured accident lawyers can explain if you qualify to file a personal injury claim. Generally, pedestrians and bicycle riders should also qualify for PIP coverage if they have a PIP policy, even though they weren’t driving their car at the time of the accident.
What other types of insurance can I use for my car accident claim in Minnesota?
In addition to UM/UIM coverage and PIP coverage, some of the following insurance policies can help pay for your damages:
- Collision insurance should pay for the damage to your car, truck, or motorcycle – regardless of fault.
- Your own health insurance policy pays for your medical needs until your case is resolved.
- Other insurance coverage may pay for the cost of a rental car, the amount you owe on your vehicle (if the value of your vehicle is less than what you owe), and other coverage.
Do you have an uninsured/underinsured Minnesota lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet accident victims at our office, located at 1505 Division Street in Waite Park, Minnesota and our other locations in the state. Our attorneys can also conduct remote conversations by phone and online when necessary. We also meet clients away from our office if you are too injured to travel.
Our lawyers are ready to answer your questions and file the correct insurance and legal claims on your behalf.
Get help from our accomplished Minnesota uninsured accident lawyers now
Our team understands the different remedies you can use to obtain the compensation you deserve after a vehicle accident, even if the driver who struck you is not insured. We’ve helped many car, truck, and motorcycle accident victims obtain strong recoveries. Our lawyers represent clients in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the nearby suburbs. We also advocate for clients across Central Minnesota, including St. Cloud, Brainerd, and Alexandria, and Stearns, Sherburne, Wright, Morrison, and Benton counties. Call us or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free consultation. We handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis.