If you are injured in a car accident, knowing how long you have to file a claim is essential. Missing the time limit could cost you the right to seek compensation. Minnesota law sets clear deadlines for filing an injury claim.
Understanding Minnesota’s statute of limitations
Minnesota generally gives you six years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Lawyers call this deadline the statute of limitations. Most injury claims start on the date of the injury. Some claims follow different rules. The six-year deadline applies to many personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and fall incidents and other negligence-related injuries.
Some cases have shorter deadlines. Minnesota requires medical malpractice claims to be filed within four years from the date the negligent act occurred or when the continuous course of treatment for the condition ended.
Exceptions that may change your filing deadline
Some situations can pause or extend the filing deadline. If you were a minor when the injury occurred, the filing period is paused, but you must typically file your claim within one year after turning 18.
Claims against government entities often have much shorter deadlines. If your car accident and subsequent injury involves a city, county or another government agency, you may need to notify that agency within a much shorter period, often 180 days depending on the entity involved. Missing that deadline could prevent you from pursuing your case.
How waiting can affect your personal injury claim
Although Minnesota gives you six years to file most injury claims, waiting too long can create challenges. Evidence can disappear, witnesses may forget important details and medical records can become harder to obtain. Taking action early helps preserve evidence while it is fresh and build a stronger case.
Insurance companies also prefer to handle claims quickly. Waiting too long may cause insurers to question your injuries or whether the accident caused them. Starting early gives you more time to gather evidence and pursue fair compensation.
Protecting your right to seek compensation
After a car accident, understanding Minnesota’s filing deadlines can help you protect your right to seek compensation before time runs out. Taking action early lets you preserve evidence, organize important records and meet notice requirements. These steps can put you in a stronger position if you decide to pursue your case.