Minneapolis Car Accident Attorneys Who Know the Other Side of the Table
After a car accident in Minneapolis, the insurance adjuster who calls you works for the other driver's carrier. Their job is to close your claim for as little as possible. Our job is to make sure that doesn't happen — and we know exactly how they're trained to do it, because we handle auto liability defense for major carriers ourselves.
Minnesota's No-Fault System Doesn't Mean You Have No Options
Minnesota is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your initial medical expenses — up to $20,000 — and lost wages up to another $20,000, regardless of who caused the crash. For many people, that sounds like the end of the road. It isn't.
If your medical expenses exceed $4,000, you've been disabled for 60 or more days, or you've suffered a permanent injury, Minnesota law allows you to step outside no-fault and pursue a full liability claim against the at-fault driver. That claim can include compensation for pain and suffering, long-term disability, and losses that PIP doesn't touch.
Minnesota law also requires drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If the driver who hit you had little or no insurance, that coverage may be the most important asset in your case — and knowing how to access it matters.
- PIP covers up to $20,000 in medical expenses and $20,000 in lost wages
- The $4,000 medical expense threshold unlocks a full liability claim for pain and suffering
- A 60-day disability or permanent injury also qualifies you to pursue a liability claim
- UM/UIM coverage can compensate you when the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured
- We evaluate every angle of your coverage before advising on next steps
Minnesota's No-Fault Insurance System
Minnesota operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. After a car accident, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for initial medical expenses and a portion of lost wages — regardless of who caused the crash. PIP benefits are capped, and they don't compensate you for pain, suffering, or the full scope of your economic losses.
We Know How Auto Insurance Claims Are Evaluated — Because We Handle the Defense Side
Most plaintiff firms guess at how insurance companies think. We don't have to. Pattee, Tewksbury & Kerfeld represents major carriers including Travelers Insurance on the defense side of civil liability matters. That means our attorneys have spent decades on both sides of auto injury claims — reviewing medical records the way adjusters review them, understanding the arguments carriers use to minimize payouts, and knowing where those arguments fall apart.
When you hire us as your car accident lawyer in Minneapolis, you get attorneys who understand the playbook from the inside. That's not a coincidence. It's how we've built this practice over 32 years.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can limit or undermine your claim. A single call to us before that conversation costs you nothing and could protect everything.
Personal injury representation for individuals injured in auto and truck accidents, construction accidents, premises liability incidents, dog bites, and product liability matters — plaintiff-side, across all licensed states
Where Minneapolis Auto Accidents Happen — and Why It Matters for Your Claim
Minneapolis roadways generate some of the highest collision volumes in the state. The I-35W and I-94 interchange, the I-494 corridor, Highway 62, Hennepin Avenue, and the Lake Street and 35W interchange are consistently among the most dangerous stretches in the metro. Crashes on high-speed corridors tend to produce more severe injuries, more complex liability questions, and higher-value claims than low-speed urban collisions.
Where and how your crash happened affects how fault is established, which evidence needs to be preserved, and how quickly that evidence disappears. Surveillance footage, skid marks, witness accounts, and electronic data from commercial vehicles all have limited windows. The sooner you have an attorney working your case, the better your position.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Recover Compensation
What to Do After a Car Accident in Minneapolis
The decisions you make in the hours and days after a crash have a direct effect on your claim. Here's what matters most:
- Call 911 and get a police report, even if the damage appears minor
- Seek medical attention immediately — gaps in treatment are used by insurers to dispute injury severity
- Document everything: photos of both vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries
- Collect contact and insurance information from all drivers involved
- Do not accept a settlement offer or sign any documents before consulting an attorney
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer
If your injuries have required any medical care, there's a reasonable chance your case goes further than PIP alone. Our free case evaluation is how we find out together.
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Answers to Common Questions About Minnesota Car Accident Claims
What does no-fault insurance mean for my car accident claim in Minnesota?
No-fault means your own PIP coverage pays your initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. It does not mean you can't pursue the at-fault driver. Once your medical expenses exceed $4,000, you've been disabled for 60 or more days, or you've suffered a permanent injury, Minnesota law allows you to file a liability claim for pain and suffering and other damages PIP doesn't cover.How is fault determined in a Minnesota car accident?
Minnesota uses a modified comparative fault system. Fault is assigned as a percentage to each party involved. You can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault — but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Evidence such as the police report, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and vehicle damage patterns all factor into how fault is allocated.What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and do I need it?
Minnesota requires drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage, which compensates you when the driver who caused your crash has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses. If the at-fault driver's policy limits are lower than your damages, your own UM/UIM coverage can make up the difference. This coverage is often the most important protection in a serious injury case.How long does a car accident case typically take in Minnesota?
Straightforward cases that settle before litigation can resolve in several months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or insurance coverage disputes often take one to two years or longer, particularly if they proceed to trial. We don't push clients toward early settlements that undervalue their claims — we move cases at the pace that produces the best outcome.What should I do after a car accident in Minneapolis if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
Contact your own insurance company to initiate a UM claim, and call an attorney before you give any statements or sign anything. Uninsured motorist claims are handled by your own carrier, but that doesn't mean the carrier is on your side. We represent clients in UM and UIM disputes regularly and can evaluate whether your coverage applies and what your claim is worth.
Thirty-Two Years of Minnesota Motor Vehicle Litigation
Since 1994, Pattee, Tewksbury & Kerfeld has represented injured Minnesotans in auto accident claims across the Twin Cities and statewide. Our eight attorneys are licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. We are willing to take cases to trial — a meaningful distinction in a market where most firms settle every case to protect volume. When the other side knows we'll go to court, settlement negotiations look different.
If you've been injured in a car accident in Minneapolis or anywhere in Minnesota, the evaluation is free, the call is confidential, and there's no obligation to hire us. Let us tell you what your case is worth before the other side does.