Minnesota Car Settlement and Verdict Amounts for 2024

Minnesota crash statistics indicate that road safety in the state has improved remarkably since the 1960s. Between 2003 and 2023, highway accidents decreased by around 40% to 414. The drop increases to 61% when compared to 1968 data. While this is positive news for motorists and the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths initiative, there’s no reason for the public to be complacent given the number of people injured in crashes in the North Star State. In 2023 alone, motor vehicle accidents injured more than 23,500 individuals.

The damages that Minnesota crash victims receive range from $500 to around $1.6 million, depending on the extent of their injuries and the losses covered by the plaintiff’s PIP insurance. Whether the victim shares some blame for causing the collision also impacts the payout because of Minnesota’s 51% modified comparative fault rule. If you or someone you know causes a car accident or suffers injuries due to another driver’s fault, the examples of settlements and jury awards below will provide you with an understanding of how car accident claims are valued in Minnesota. 

Examples of Settlement and Verdict Amounts for 2024 Car Accident Cases in Minnesota

• A woman secured a $176,342 verdict from a Hennepin County jury for injuries she suffered from a rear-end accident. More than half of the plaintiff's damages were for the pain and suffering she had to endure as a result of hearing loss, disc bulging, and other crash-related injuries. The remaining amount covered her medical expenses.

• A jury awarded $978,232 to a 38-year-old man who sustained multiple injuries in a chain reaction collision. The defendant was found liable for damages for causing the crash. The plaintiff listed the following injuries in his claim: headaches, cervical and lumbar sprains, cervical and lumbar facet joint injuries, and lumbar disc bulges with radicular pain. $750,000 in future medical expenses were among the recovered damages.

• A car struck a bicycle, throwing the rider off which caused severe injuries. The defendant was a 90-year-old man who hit the victim, Shawn, after making a left turn. Shawn landed on his back and neck, sustaining a traumatic brain injury and spinal fractures as a result. It also affected his memory, attention, and concentration abilities. He received a $750,000 arbitration award for his injuries.

• A T-bone collision caused neck injuries in a delivery driver that required surgeries. Liability was placed on another driver, who drove through a red light. The case settled for $1.68 million, compensating the plaintiff for lost income and both past and future medical expenses. 

• The jury in a rear-end collision case found the plaintiff 40% at fault for the accident, allowing him to recover only $500. The crash happened at an intersection while the plaintiff was waiting to turn left. He accused the defendant of negligence and claimed compensation for head, neck, back, and knee injuries.  

• In Ramsey County, the judge approved a $5,000 settlement between the driver of a car and his 10-year-old passenger, who suffered head, neck, and leg injuries when their vehicle collided with another motorist. The defendant was blamed for causing the crash because he allegedly disregarded a stop sign. In approving the settlement, the judge cited the plaintiff's recovery and lack of permanent injury as the basis for the decision. The plaintiff's insurance company covered her medical bills, while the settlement money helped pay for the legal expenses.

Recover the Compensation that You Deserve

If you drive a car in Minnesota, it’s important that you’re aware of the state’s motor vehicle accident laws. Be sure to have PIP and liability insurance to help you manage injury-related expenses in the event of an accident. 

However, if you have already exhausted your policy limits or have uncovered losses, such as damage to your car, filing a claim against the other driver’s liability coverage is your next option. In this step, proving the defendant’s fault and the extent of your injuries is critical to your case’s success.

Having a Minnesota car accident attorney represent you in settlement negotiations or trial can help you get the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can properly assist you with gathering the evidence that you need and calculating your damages.