Discover what you need to do after a car crash in Minnesota, including exchanging information and reporting the accident to the police.
No one ever expects to be involved in a car accident, but when it happens, it’s important to know your legal responsibilities. In Minnesota, the law outlines specific steps that you must take after a collision.
Keep reading to learn what you should do if you get into a car crash in Minnesota. You can also read Chapter 169 of the Minnesota Transportation Code for more information.
1. Minnesota Driver Exchange of Information Law
In Minnesota, it is against the law to leave the scene of a car crash without exchanging information with the other driver. After an accident, you must stop immediately and investigate what you hit.
If the collision results in bodily injury or death, or damage to another vehicle, you must give the other driver your name, date of birth, and mailing or email address. You must also provide your vehicle’s plate number and insurance information.
If a peace officer investigating the crash asks to see your driver’s license, you must show it to them.
The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision shall immediately stop at the scene of the collision and reasonably investigate what was struck. The stop must be made without unnecessarily obstructing traffic.
The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision the driver knows or has reason to know results in bodily injury to or death of another, or damage to any vehicle driven or attended by another, shall give the driver’s name, date of birth, mailing address or email address, and the registration plate number of the vehicle being driven.
The driver shall, upon request and if available, exhibit the driver’s license or permit to drive to any peace officer at the scene of the collision or who is investigating the collision.
If not given at the scene of the collision, the driver, within 72 hours after the accident, shall give, on request to any individual involved in the collision or to a peace officer investigating the collision, the name and address of the insurer providing vehicle liability insurance coverage, and the local insurance agent for the insurer.
2. Minnesota Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
If you’re involved in a car accident in Minnesota that injures someone, you are required by law to offer “reasonable assistance” to the individual. This assistance might include calling for medical help, transporting the injured person to the hospital, or providing first aid.
The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision shall render reasonable assistance to any individual injured in the collision.
3. Minnesota Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
According to Minnesota law, if you get into a car crash that causes injury or death, you must report the accident to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible. Depending on where the collision occurs, this can mean reporting to the local police department, a State Patrol officer, or the county sheriff.
The driver of a vehicle involved in a collision resulting in bodily injury to or death of another shall, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of the collision to the local police department if the collision occurs within a municipality, to a State Patrol officer if the collision occurs on a trunk highway, or to the office of the sheriff of the county.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Minnesota?
Failing to report a car crash involving injury or death can be a misdemeanor or felony offense in Minnesota, depending on the circumstances of the accident. The maximum penalties for a conviction include three years in jail and a $5,000 fine. Your driver’s license can also be suspended.
The driver of any vehicle who violates subdivision 1 or 6 and who did not cause the collision is punishable as follows:
- if the collision results in the death of another, the driver is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three years, or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both;
- if the collision results in great bodily harm to another, the driver is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years, or to payment of a fine of not more than $4,000, or both; or
- if the collision results in substantial bodily harm to another, the driver may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year, or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a collision resulting in bodily harm to another who violates subdivision 1 or 6 may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year, or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.
The commissioner may suspend the license, or any nonresident’s operating privilege, of any person who willfully fails, refuses, or neglects to make report of a traffic accident as required by the laws of this state.
4. Minnesota Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
After a car crash in Minnesota, you’re legally obligated to stop and investigate what you struck, regardless of whether or not anyone is injured. Even if the accident only caused property damage, you must exchange information with the other parties involved and show your driver’s license to the police.
The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision shall immediately stop at the scene of the collision and reasonably investigate what was struck. The stop must be made without unnecessarily obstructing traffic.
The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision the driver knows or has reason to know results in bodily injury to or death of another, or damage to any vehicle driven or attended by another, shall give the driver’s name, date of birth, mailing address or email address, and the registration plate number of the vehicle being driven.
The driver shall, upon request and if available, exhibit the driver’s license or permit to drive to any peace officer at the scene of the collision or who is investigating the collision. The driver shall render reasonable assistance to any individual injured in the collision.
If not given at the scene of the collision, the driver, within 72 hours after the accident, shall give, on request to any individual involved in the collision or to a peace officer investigating the collision, the name and address of the insurer providing vehicle liability insurance coverage, and the local insurance agent for the insurer.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Minnesota?
When you collide with a parked car in Minnesota, the law requires you to stop and investigate what you hit. If the crash damaged the parked car, you must locate the owner and give them your name and address, as well as the name and address of the registered owner of the car you are driving.
If you cannot locate the parked car’s owner, you can also report this information to a peace officer or leave a note in a conspicuous place.
The driver of any motor vehicle involved in a collision shall immediately stop at the scene of the collision and reasonably investigate what was struck. The stop must be made without unnecessarily obstructing traffic.
If the collision resulted in damage to any unattended vehicle, the driver must either locate and notify the owner of the vehicle of the name and address of the driver and registered owner, report this same information to a peace officer, or leave in a conspicuous place a written notice.
It’s important to learn about Minnesota’s car accident laws before you have a collision. By understanding the law and complying with your obligations, you can protect yourself from legal penalties.
How Much is Your Injury Claim Worth?
Find out now with a FREE case review from an attorney…