Getting into a car crash on a busy Twin Cities highway or at a local intersection can turn your life upside down in an instant. While you are trying to heal from your injuries, the bills start arriving. You might be missing work, wondering how you will pay rent, and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure. At 612-Injured, our Minneapolis car accident attorney treats you like a trusted, smart neighbor. We know you are going through a stressful time, and we are here to provide clear, straightforward answers. You do not need to decipher complicated legal text right now. Here is exactly what you need to know about who covers your immediate expenses after a Minneapolis car accident.
Minnesota is a No-Fault State
Many people think “No-Fault” means that nobody is blamed for the accident. That is a common misunderstanding. In reality, it simply means that your own auto insurance company is required by law to pay for your immediate medical care and missed income, no matter who caused the crash.
Every auto insurance policy in Minnesota includes Personal Injury Protection, which most people call PIP. This coverage acts as a safety net. It ensures you can go to the hospital or see a doctor immediately without waiting for a massive legal dispute to settle.
What Does Your PIP Insurance Cover?
Standard Minnesota PIP benefits are split into two main categories to help you keep your head above water right after an accident:
- Medical Expenses: Your policy provides up to $20,000 to cover reasonable and necessary healthcare. This includes ambulance rides, emergency room visits, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and prescriptions.
- Lost Wages: Your policy also provides up to $20,000 for your missed income if your doctor says you cannot work. However, Minnesota law limits this to a maximum of $250 per week.
The Insurance Reality Check
Even though your own insurance company is supposed to pay these benefits, it is important to remember that insurance companies are businesses. Their main goal is to save money, not to look out for your well-being. They often use hidden tactics to delay your payments, downplay your pain, or cut off your medical care early.
That is where we step in. At 612-Injured, we act as your shield. Our founding partners are military veterans. Ben Heimerl served in the U.S. Marine Corps with the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, and Mike Lammers served in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War. They learned discipline and strategy in the military, and they bring that same “never back down” attitude to fighting big corporations. With over 25 years of institutional history fighting insurance adjusters in Minnesota, we know their exact playbook, and we do not let them push our neighbors around.
What Happens When PIP Capital Runs Out?
A serious injury from a winter slip-and-fall or a high-speed highway crash can burn through $20,000 in medical bills very quickly. Once your PIP benefits run out, or if your weekly lost wages are much higher than $250, you have the right to seek additional compensation from the driver who caused the accident.
To step outside the No-Fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, your case must meet certain rules set by Minnesota law. You can pursue the other driver if you meet any of these conditions:
- You have more than $4,000 in reasonable medical expenses.
- Your injury results in a disability that lasts for 60 days or more.
- You suffer a permanent injury or permanent scarring.
When you cross these thresholds, we can help you sue the careless driver for your remaining medical bills, your full lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
Get Peer-Recognized Legal Help Today
You do not have to handle the stress of paperwork and pushy adjusters alone. Our partners are elite, peer-recognized trial attorneys who consistently achieve “Super Lawyers” and “Best Lawyers in America®” distinctions. When you work with us, you get direct access to seasoned trial attorneys. We never pass your case off to a junior associate.
We are available 24/7 via call or text, and we give every client a same-day response guarantee. Best of all, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us a single penny out of pocket unless we win money for you.
If you or a loved one has been hurt, give us a call or text right now at (612) 465-8733 for a free consultation. If you cannot make it to our office, we can come directly to your home or hospital bedside. Let us handle the insurance companies so you can focus entirely on getting better.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Reading or interacting with this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Heimerl & Lammers or 612-Injured. Because every legal situation is unique, you should consult with a licensed attorney regarding the specific facts of your case.