Road Trip Gone Wrong? What to Do If You're in an Accident in Another State

When we welcome families and individuals from Minnesota onto road trips, we envision scenic drives across the open road, roadside diners, and memorable stops along America’s highways. At Irwin Law Office PLC, we know that adventure sometimes takes an unexpected turn.

A minor wrong bend can become a major emergency when another driver crashes into your vehicle miles from home. If you encounter an accident in another state, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.

Our goal is to provide clear guidance in those critical moments so that you can focus on your recovery instead of the unknown. We have helped countless clients from Minneapolis and across Minnesota navigate complex, interstate auto accidents. Below are the essential steps you should take if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.

Why You Need an Auto Accident Attorney in Minneapolis, MN

We represent clients across Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Roseville, and St. Paul. We understand that an accident in another state requires familiarity with local traffic regulations and federal law.

We are an auto accident attorney in Minneapolis, MN, with decades of experience supporting travelers like you. Your crash may fall under multiple jurisdictions, complicating liability, insurance claims, and even where to file a claim. We can help you determine whether Minnesota law or the host state’s law governs your case.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in 2023, there were 305,000 police-reported traffic crashes statewide, including more than 150,000 off Minnesota roads. We know how important prompt, decisive action can be.

First Steps at the Crash Scene (Across State Lines or Right Here in Minnesota)

Secure Safety and Seek Medical Attention

Your first obligation is health and safety—yours and others. Move to a secure location, ideally off the roadway. Call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, symptoms like whiplash or internal injuries can emerge hours later. Document injuries by asking for medical assessments at the scene.

Document Carefully and Thoroughly

Gather the information you would in Minnesota and more. Request:

• Other driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance info.
• Names and contact info of witnesses.
• Photos of all vehicles, surroundings, traffic signals, and skid marks.
• Weather and road conditions.

Take detailed notes about the accident, including the location (city, highway, exit number). If possible, use Google Maps to mark the crash spot accurately. When you return to Minnesota, we can use these records to build your case.

Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly

Most policies require “prompt” notification within 24–48 hours. Late reporting can result in denial of coverage. Provide facts, photos, and a police report number if available. Do not admit fault or agree to recorded statements before consulting us.

In 2019, vehicles registered in Minnesota had average bodily injury liability limits of just $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Minnesota policy limits still apply after a crash out of state, but underinsured motorist coverage may fill gaps.

What to Do Over the Following Hours and Days

Follow All Medical Advice and Keep Records

Follow all instructions, therapies, and medications when you receive medical treatment. Save all records, bills, prescriptions, and receipts. This documentation is critical when calculating your damages for a car wreck attorney in Minneapolis to pursue. Your physical and emotional recovery often influences the full value of your case.

Preserve All Physical and Digital Evidence

Keep your clothing, eyeglasses, helmet, or other equipment worn during the crash. These items can reveal impacts and injuries. Also, keep your cell phone, dashcam footage, emails, or text messages that refer to the accident. Maintain records of the original vehicle damage evidence, repair estimates, rental costs, and towing receipts.

Contact Us—An Accident Lawyer in Minneapolis

After your immediate emergency, contact us. That call may differ between filing a claim and recovering full compensation for damages like treatment costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering.

Do You Need a Local Lawyer Where the Crash Happened?

Yes and no. While you may need to file the lawsuit in the state where the wreck occurred, we can help co‑counsel with a local attorney while we still represent your interests in Minnesota. We are your car wreck attorney in Minneapolis and work with trusted counsel in many states. Interstate cooperation ensures that your legal rights are protected at every turn.

Depending on the state, you might face restrictions on filing a lawsuit if you are out of state. Each state has unique rules about Personal Injury Protection (PIP), comparative negligence, deadlines, and damage caps. Minnesota is a comparative‐fault, no‐fault state, but your crash state may be an at‐fault state with different timelines.

Helpful Statistics and Legal Context

Traffic Deaths and Injuries on U.S. Highways

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 36,660 people died on U.S. roads in 2023—an increase from 38,824 in 2022. In 2024, the rate was approximately 1.13 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

Out‑of‑State Crashes Involving Minnesota Drivers

From the Minnesota Crash Mapping Analysis Tool, approximately 12 percent of Minnesota driver crashes occur annually outside state lines. These incidents spike in summer, coinciding with road trips to the Black Hills, the Badlands, and national parks.

State Law Differences: Examples

• Florida requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) up to $10,000 even for minor injuries.
• California employs pure comparative negligence. A Minnesota driver who is 10 percent at fault can still recover 90 percent of damages there.

These differences matter—and we handle them.

Your Rights Under Minnesota Insurance Policies

Liability and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Minnesota law mandates minimum liability limits of 30/60/10 (bodily injury per person/per accident, property damage). Most drivers exceed this. We encourage clients to buy additional uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage—Minnesota requires insurers to offer it.

PIP Coverage

Minnesota provides PIP up to $20,000, covering medical treatment, rehabilitation, wage loss, and survivor benefits following an accident, even out of state, as long as the policy is in effect. You do not need to be in Minnesota to qualify. You must report the accident within 60 days to your insurer.

Prompt Investigation and Cooperation

Minnesota will prompt you to cooperate with its insurer’s investigation, like in-state crashes. It is essential not to admit fault and to confer with us before making statements. We can appear on your behalf.

Statute of Limitations and Key Deadlines

Deadlines vary by state, but here are examples:

• Minnesota: Two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for personal injuries.
• Wisconsin: Three years from the date of the accident.
• Iowa: Two years.
• North Dakota: Six years.

To be safe, act early. Time is of the essence.

Filing a Claim: Process and Complications

1. Notice of Claim to Responsible Parties: In many states, you or your local counsel must send written notice to all liable insurers. Deadlines can be as short as 10 days. We coordinate these filings promptly to preserve your rights.
2. Demand Package: This includes medical records, wage loss, expert opinions (like MRIs, biomechanical engineers), and documentation of future care. We assemble full demands to maximize recoveries.
3. Settlement Negotiation: We will negotiate with opposing insurers and lawyers. Our Minnesota floors for settlements reflect both Minnesota and out-of-state law. Your recovery can include care costs, pain, and additional compensation depending on state statutes.
4. Filing Suit: If negotiations fail, we file suit. This may be in the state where the crash occurred, or sometimes in Minnesota. We coordinate jurisdiction and venue issues, filing on your behalf or alongside local counsel. We vigorously litigate to protect your rights—injury evidence, fault, and applicability of damage caps.

Damages You May Recover

Economic damages

• Medical and rehabilitation bills (e.g., hospital, therapy, assistive devices)
• Lost wages (including lost future earning capacity)
• Property damage (vehicle repair, rental car fees, diminishing value)

Non‑economic damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• PTSD or anxiety
• Loss of consortium for spouses.

Damage caps vary. Louisiana and Georgia cap non‑economic damages, while Minnesota does not. If your crash occurred in a capping state, we structure your case accordingly.

Why Choose Us as Your Car Wreck Attorney in Minneapolis

• We have local roots and a statewide reach. Although we are based in Minneapolis, we have built strong working relationships with attorneys across the nation.
• Proven track record.
• Comprehensive support. We guide you through medical referrals, insurance navigation, evidence preservation, and timely filings.
• No fee unless you recover. We work on contingency. If we do not secure compensation, you owe us nothing. Our office handles all litigation expenses.

What Our First Consultation Looks Like

When you call or visit, we will:

1. Gather details. Location, time, vehicles involved, injuries, and emergency steps taken.
2. Obtain documents. Police and accident reports, insurance info, and medical bills.
3. Calculate damages. We assess economic loss, lost earning potential, non‑economic harm, fand uture damages.
4. Explain jurisdiction. We advise which states’ law applies and where to file.
5. Recommend next steps. We tell you what evidence to preserve, how to deal with insurers, and how we can help.

Our consultations are free and no‑obligation. If we believe we cannot help, we will tell you.

What You Should Do Immediately After an Accident in Another State

• Stay calm, assess safety, call 911.
• Get medical attention promptly—even if you feel fine at first.
• Exchange details and take photos.
• Preserve evidence: clothing, equipment, recordings.
• Notify your insurance company, with our guidance.
• Schedule a free consultation with us right away.

Time is critical. Medical bills mount, statutes of limitations tick away, and evidence can degrade.

Insurance Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Recorded statements: Some insurers record your conversation. Do not agree to one without legal counsel present. You might inadvertently admit fault or downplay injuries.
• Insurer “Fast Settlement” offers: Insurers may offer a small sum with a quick release. That may sound convenient, but it rarely covers full damages. Consult us before accepting anything.
• Misclassification of injuries: No‑fault insurers may label injuries as “minor” to reduce benefits, even for serious spine injuries or broken bones. We use expert testimony to fight misclassification.
• Breaking doctor rules: Seek follow‑up care promptly. Some insurers have deadlines—if you fail to keep your appointments, they may deny coverage.

Carefully Managing Multi‑State Laws

Comparative negligence rules

• Minnesota: Modified comparative fault capped at 50%.
• Many other states: Pure comparative fault—your percentage of fault reduces your recovery, no matter how high.

Damage caps

• Some states limit non‑economic damages. Minnesota does not cap them. Oregon, Nebraska, and others do.

No‑fault vs. at‑fault states

• Minnesota has a no‑fault PIP with lawsuit rights after the threshold is met.
• An at‑fault state may have no PIP, but you file against the at‑fault driver’s liability carrier.

Our team is fluent in all of these.

Tips for Safer Road Trips

We love the Minnesota adventure. Still, these tips help reduce risk:

• Rotate drivers to avoid fatigue.
• Conduct vehicle inspection—tire tread, fluids, lights—before long trips.
• Plan rest stops every 150–200 miles.
• Keep an emergency kit: first aid, triangles, and reflector vests.
• Download offline maps if cell coverage is poor.
• Always wear seat belts and ensure children are properly restrained.

Despite these precautions, accidents happen. If they do, you are not alone.

We Help You With Your Accident Case

A serious accident in another state can feel isolating. You may be stranded, hurt, or confused by unfamiliar laws. That is where we step in. Our ability to navigate multi‑jurisdictional law, coordinate with local attorneys, and support your recovery from Minnesota is unmatched. We will stand by you even if the crash happened in Iowa, South Dakota, Florida, or beyond.

You do not have to confront this journey alone. We will analyze the fault, secure medical care, marshal evidence, negotiate with insurers, and fight for full compensation. That is precisely what we mean when we say we handle the legal process so you can heal.