A hit-and-run crash is more than just a physical trauma. Within hours, you face mounting medical bills, missed work and no clear answer about who will pay. The at-fault driver is gone and the financial panic sets in fast. Fortunately, Minnesota law gives you options and it starts with your own insurance policy.
Minnesota’s no-fault system has you covered
Minnesota is a no-fault state. That means your auto insurance steps in to handle your medical costs first, regardless of who caused the crash. Every Minnesota auto policy carries a minimum of $20,000 in medical benefits and another $20,000 for non-medical expenses under Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This coverage kicks in right away, even when no one ever identifies the driver who hit you. However, PIP only goes so far and serious injuries can quickly push you past that limit.
When happens when your PIP limit runs out
However, if your medical bills go beyond your $20,000 PIP limit, you still have another option. You can file an Uninsured Motorist (UM) claim against your own insurance policy.
Minnesota law usually treats a hit-and-run driver as an uninsured motorist because no one can identify their insurance. Hence, your UM coverage can help pay for additional medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that your PIP does not cover. That said, your options do not stop there if law enforcement later finds the driver.
If the at-fault driver gets identified
Sometimes, authorities identify the hit-and-run driver after the incident. When that happens, your options grow significantly. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against that driver.
Under Minnesota law, you can pursue damages for pain and suffering if your medical bills exceed $4,000 or if you suffered a permanent injury or disability. Thus, identifying the driver can open the door to far greater compensation for your losses.
Know your options and protect your recovery
Between PIP claims, UM coverage and potential lawsuits, there are more paths to compensation than most people realize after a hit-and-run crash. Yet, sorting through all of them while still recovering from your injuries is a lot to manage on your own. Therefore, knowing which steps apply to your situation and when to take them, can shape how fully you recover, both physically and financially.