The state’s no-fault system for car accident claims is designed to ensure everyone gets the medical care they need after an accident and no one suffers extreme financial hardship because of their injuries. The system works well in most cases, but car accident insurance claims in Mankato can be complicated, especially if the crash caused serious injuries.
Speak with one of our experienced auto accident attorneys at Maschka Personal Injury before you submit your claim. We can protect your rights and pursue a claim for full compensation.
Everyone who registers a vehicle in Minnesota must show proof that they have personal injury protection coverage (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance. The policy generally covers everyone in your household as well as passengers in your vehicle who do not have their own PIP. The minimum coverage amount is $40,000, with half allocated to medical expenses and the other half to cover lost wages and/or homemaker services due to an injury.
If you are hurt in a Mankato car accident, you make a claim on your PIP coverage, regardless of who was at fault. Your PIP will cover your medical expenses, including pharmacy charges and rehabilitation, up to your coverage limits.
PIP also covers 85 percent of your wages if you miss work, up to a maximum of $500 a week. If you are the primary homemaker and your injury prevents you from performing household tasks such as cleaning or yard work, PIP will pay up to $200 per week for replacement services, allowing you to hire someone to do these tasks.
The no-fault system is supposed to be easy to navigate, so you may wonder why you would need legal representation for a Mankato car wreck claim. Even though your no-fault insurer pays for your medical care and covers some of your expenses and damages, it does not cover everything. You do not have to use up all your PIP benefits before taking further legal action — once your injuries meet the statutory threshold, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
A personal injury claim can help you recover all your lost income and future injury-related expenses, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering.
One of the reasons behind a no-fault system for managing car accidents is to limit lawsuits. If you want to bring a claim in court, you must meet specific statutory requirements.
Minnesota Statute § 65B.51 describes the thresholds you must meet to file a personal injury claim outside the no-fault system. You must meet any one of the following criteria:
You can also access the courts to bring a claim if your loved one died in a fatal accident.
When you bring a personal injury claim arising out of a car accident, our attorneys generally must prove that the driver you are making a claim against was negligent, and their negligence led to your injuries. If your Mankato car collision insurance claim is successful, the at-fault driver’s insurance company could compensate you for your medical expenses, lost income, reasonably anticipated future damages, and your pain and suffering.
Car accident insurance claims in Mankato might seem straightforward. However, you may encounter complications that could weaken your case.
You can avoid them by working with an attorney at Maschka Personal Injury. Schedule a free consultation with us today to review the circumstances of your car crash.
