After a car accident, it’s essential to ensure the incident is properly reported and that any necessary insurance claims are filed. Navigating the laws and regulations surrounding accident reporting can be overwhelming, leaving many individuals uncertain about what steps to take next. From understanding reporting requirements to filing insurance claims, staying informed is key.
This guide provides everything you need to know about accident reporting in Minnesota, helping you confidently handle the process and avoid common pitfalls. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Reporting an Accident is Critical
It is essential that every motor vehicle accident, even those involving only one vehicle, is reported. In many cases, there is a legal obligation to do so per Minnesota law. In simple terms, any vehicle collision that causes bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 is legally required to be reported.
Timely reporting can also play a role in insurance claims later on. This is because there is a statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim, so it is important that the accident is reported quickly.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, you may be feeling disoriented and unsure of what to do. That’s why you need the expert personal injury lawyers of Florin|Roebig on your side. Our triple-board certified attorneys are here to help you navigate the aftermath of your car crash and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Minnesota Law: Time Limits for Reporting a Car Accident
As mentioned above, there are certain circumstances that make reporting a car accident a legal obligation. Any vehicle crash that causes more than $1,000 of property damage, injury, or death must be reported to the authorities.
If you are involved in a car accident that meets one of these three criteria, the accident must be reported to the police within 10 days of the incident, according to Minnesota law. That being said, reporting your crash as soon as possible is best.
It’s worth noting that there is a difference between reporting your accident to the police and reporting it to your car insurance company. Both are important but serve different purposes.
Reporting your accident to law enforcement allows for any necessary investigation and helps keep track of car accident statistics. On the other hand, reporting your collision to your insurance company is the first step in filing an insurance claim to cover the damages you’ve incurred or to pay for the damages you’ve inflicted.
Understanding car accident reporting laws can be confusing and overwhelming. If this is the case for you, reach out to Florin|Roebig. One of our highly experienced car accident attorneys can help you understand the details of reporting your accident correctly.
What Happens If You Fail to Report an Accident?
Failure to report an accident that results in death, injury, or more than $1,000 of damage can have several consequences under Minnesota law.
Penalties for not reporting may be given as follows:
- In accidents causing death, the driver will be charged with a felony and may be sentenced to up to three years in prison, charged a fine of up to $5,000, or both
- In accidents causing severe injury, the driver will be charged with a felony and may be sentenced to up to two years in prison, charged a fine of up to $4,000, or both
- In accidents causing injury, the driver may be sentenced to up to 364 days in prison, charged a fine of up to $3,000, or both
- In accidents causing property damage, the driver will be charged with a misdemeanor
- Any failure to report can result in suspension of the driver’s license
Failing to report your accident can have other consequences too. For example, if you don’t report your accident, you may have a harder time recovering damages. Having a police report before filing your insurance claim can help protect your rights.
The same goes for if your case is taken to court. Having a police report helps to protect your rights, prove negligence if applicable, and recover damages.
If you fail to report an accident within 10 days, you should still report the accident as soon as possible. It is likely you’ll be charged a fine, but the consequences of not reporting the crash at all are worse. For more guidance, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig.
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Filing a Police Report: What Information Is Required?
When filing a police report, you’ll need to provide relevant details about the accident as well as yourself and passengers to the officer constructing the report.
Information that must be included:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Vehicle information (license plate, make, model, year)
- Vehicle registration
- Insurance information for both drivers
- Description of the road conditions
- Description of the accident itself
- Description of any injuries
- Description of any property damage
To provide information for the police report, you’ll first want to make sure you gather all appropriate information. Before contacting the police, be sure to exchange information with the other driver if possible. You’ll also want to gather relevant documentation such as your license and car registration.
If there are any injuries or property damage, don’t be afraid to document these as well by taking pictures or videos.
If you need help gathering documentation or filing your report, consider contacting your Florin|Roebig attorney for additional information and guidance.
How to Report a Minor Accident in Minnesota
If you’ve been involved in a minor accident in Minnesota, it may not be legally required that you report it to the police. More specifically, if there is less than $1,000 of damage and there were no injuries or fatalities, you are not required to report your crash.
That being said, it never hurts to report an accident. Reporting your vehicle collision to the authorities protects you legally and financially, which can help later on when you are filing an insurance claim or taking your case to court.
Similarly, it is important to document your crash even if it is minor. This helps gather information and evidence for your personal injury claim. Documentation can include pictures, videos, witness statements, police reports, or audio recordings.
If you need help organizing your documentation or have questions about how to proceed following your minor Minnesota car accident, call Florin|Roebig today for a free case evaluation.
Insurance Reporting Deadlines and Requirements
While a police report is filed with the local authorities and is essentially a summary of the accident, reporting your accident to your insurance company helps recover damages.
Your insurance company will analyze your claim and determine who is liable, who the at-fault driver(s) is, and what damages will be paid by each party. A police report can often support your claim and help prove negligence.
In Minnesota, drivers have six months from the date of the accident to file a no-fault insurance claim. Minnesota is a no-fault state, meaning drivers file a claim with their own insurance company to cover the cost of injuries.
If you delay reporting your accident to your insurance company, you may have issues getting the maximum level of coverage you are designated through your insurance policy.
Dealing with insurance companies and insurance adjusters can be challenging. Remember that you don’t have to fight this fight alone. Here at Florin|Roebig, we’ll stand up for you when no one else will. Call today for a free consultation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim for Damages?
While drivers have six months to file a no-fault claim, Minnesota restrictions are a bit different for filing a claim for damages.
In most cases, Minnesotans can file a personal injury claim up to two years after the date of the injury. As for property damage claims, the statute of limitations is six years. There are exceptions to these rules in unique circumstances, however.
Though it may sound like a long period of time, certain factors can affect the claim filing timeline for some people. For example, if you sustained an injury, ongoing medical treatment may prevent you from filing a claim sooner. Additionally, if the accident is severe, filing a police report and gathering documentation may slow down the process.
It’s important that you file a claim for damages as soon as possible and within the statute of limitations to protect your legal rights and ensure the best chances of receiving compensation.
Attorney Shaun Cummings says, “It can be easy to lose track of the filing deadline in the chaos of the aftermath of an accident. Here at Florin|Roebig, our attorneys will make sure the big-picture items are taken care of while you recover from your crash.”
Exceptions to the Reporting and Filing Deadlines
Though there are set restrictions for filing a claim for damages following a car accident in Minnesota, there are some exceptions.
Some situations may warrant an extension of filing deadlines. For example, if the victim of the crash is incapacitated, there is an ongoing police investigation, or the incident was a hit-and-run accident.
Special circumstances that may alter the timeline for reporting or filing include:
- The at-fault person is not in Minnesota
- The injured person has a legal disability
- The case is claiming wrongful death (3-year statute of limitations)
If your accident involved extenuating circumstances, it can be tricky to navigate the legal processes and deadlines on your own. Florin|Roebig attorneys are experts in personal injury law and can help you through this process. Give us a call to discuss your case today.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Minnesota
If you’ve been involved in a car accident before, you may be aware of how disorienting and shocking the experience can be. It can be challenging to know what to do and how to proceed. We’ve put together a list of steps to follow after your accident to get you on the right track.
- Move your vehicle. If you can, move your vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic near the site of the accident. This can help prevent additional injuries and secondary accidents.
- Identify injuries. Check for injuries to yourself and your passengers. Even if your injuries seem minor or you don’t notice any injuries, it’s important to seek medical evaluation and treatment as many injuries can go unnoticed.
- Exchange information. Exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver or drivers. Speak with any witnesses if needed.
- Report your accident. Report your accident to the police if it resulted in injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage.
- Document evidence. Preserve evidence by taking pictures and videos or gathering witness statements and the police report. This can help support your insurance claim and protect your legal rights if your case goes to court.
- Call Florin|Roebig. Protect your rights and increase your chances of a high settlement by setting up a free case evaluation with one of the lawyers at Florin|Roebig.
- File your claim. Contact your insurance company and start filing your personal injury claim, no-fault claim, or property damage claim.
Why You Need an Attorney to Help with Your Car Accident Case
We know Minnesotans are more than capable of handling their car accident cases on their own, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits to having a Florin|Roebig attorney by your side.
One way legal representation can help is by making sure you meet reporting and filing deadlines. It can be overwhelming to keep track of legal deadlines on top of everything else you’re dealing with after your accident. Let us do the organizing and ensure you’re on the right track.
If your claim has to go to court or your insurance company is offering less compensation than you deserve, Florin|Roebig is ready to step in. Our triple-board certified car accident lawyers have four decades of experience in negotiating personal injury claims and securing fair compensation in and out of the courtroom.
Lastly, Florin|Roebig has been helping Minnesotans just like you in handling their car accident cases for over thirty years. With a proven track record of $1 billion in case verdicts, you can count on our lawyers to give your case their best shot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do you have to report a hit-and-run accident in Minnesota?
Typically, you’ll have thirty days from the date of a hit-and-run to report the accident. This is three times as long as the standard timeline for reporting, ten days.
What if you didn’t know you were injured at the time of the accident?
If you didn’t know you were injured at the time of the accident, you can still claim damages for the injury. There is a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury cases. You must document the injury and associated treatment to support your claim.
Can you report an accident after the 10-day window?
Yes, you can report an accident after the 10-day window. However, you will likely receive a fine. Not reporting the accident at all can result in criminal charges, fines, and even jail time.
How soon should you report an accident to your insurance company?
You should report your accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. That being said, you have six months to file a no-fault claim, two years to file a personal injury claim, and six years to file a property damage claim.
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How to Get Help from Florin|Roebig Attorneys
To get help from Florin|Roebig attorneys, you’ll need to discuss the details of your case. From there, we can help you plan your next steps.
Take advantage of our free consultations to review your accident with a seasoned professional and determine if you’re entitled to compensation.
Use one of the following contact methods to set up your Florin|Roebig case evaluation today:
- Call the phone number for your area 24/7.
- Use our chat feature day or night.
- Fill out our online form anytime, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
The Importance of Timely Reporting and Legal Guidance
After a car accident, it is of the utmost importance to report your accident and file an insurance claim.
Filing a police report and insurance claim within the proper time period can be overwhelming, especially when recovering from a car accident. Both steps are important, however, to protect your legal rights and your chances of recovering compensation for the damages.
If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of a crash and is in need of legal representation, call the Florin|Roebig helpline today for more help.
