Breakdown of Minnesota Car Accident Statistics
- The Impact of Car Accidents in Minnesota
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Cyclist Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Train Accidents
- Teen Driving Accidents
- Elderly Driving Accidents
- Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Crashes in Minnesota
- Don’t Hesitate To Get Legal Help: Contact Sieben Polk P.A. Today for Your Free Consultation
Each year, millions of people on the road are involved in car crashes nationwide. Across the U.S. and in Minnesota, only heart disease and cancer cause more deaths than motor vehicle accidents. These accidents are also among the leading causes of personal injuries for all age groups.
Even cautious drivers on highways can be involved in unexpected situations, such as failing to yield, that may lead to injuries or death. From fender benders to catastrophic wrecks, the available data on accidents in Minnesota paints a vivid picture of the risks on the road.
The Impact of Car Accidents in Minnesota
For residents of Minnesota, car accidents are all too familiar. In 2024 alone, 63,664 motor vehicle accidents were reported in the state. Of these incidents, 17,199 led to injuries, and 451 resulted in fatalities. In 2024, car accidents affected 23,769 injured individuals and claimed 498 lives, which translates to 174 accidents, 47 injuries, and over one fatality per day statewide.
At Sieben Polk P.A., our compassionate injury attorneys understand that each statistic is more than just a number—it represents a real person with a story. It could be you or a loved one who is injured or killed in a traffic accident. That’s why we’re committed to protecting the rights of injured victims and their families.
Call (651) 437-3148 or contact us online today to book a free case review with our experienced car accident attorneys. We are here to guide you through the claims process and answer any questions you may have.
Whatever you are going through after your accident, you are not alone. Looking into last year’s motor vehicle accident statistics for Minnesota can give you a greater understanding of your personal injury case.
Pedestrian Accidents
Traffic accidents in Minnesota affect more than the drivers and passengers involved. Pedestrians often pay a high price for drivers’ negligent actions. In 2024, approximately 805 crashes in Minnesota involved pedestrians, leading to 54 fatalities and 735 injuries.
Approximately a third of pedestrian accidents in Minnesota lead to severe injuries or loss of life. It’s important to note that even minor injuries can lead to huge medical bills and lost wages if you can’t return to work. For this reason, it’s important to consult a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer for legal counsel.
Cyclist Accidents
As a cyclist on Minnesota roads, you have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of passenger cars and trucks. However, because a bicycle offers so much less protection to the rider than a larger vehicle, you are more susceptible to severe injuries during a Minnesota bicycle accident. In 2024, 661 bike accidents in Minnesota led to 8 fatalities and 590 total injuries.
Alarmingly, only 51 injured cyclists were wearing Department of Transportation-approved helmets at the time of their crashes.
While not wearing a DOT-approved helmet in Minnesota can make it harder for a cyclist to file a personal injury claim, the state’s modified comparative fault law allows you to pursue compensation even if you are partly to blame for the crash.
Trucking Accidents
Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks on Minnesota highways pose a significant risk to other road users, including bicyclists and pedestrians. With many semi trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds, collisions can result in catastrophic injuries, such as neck and back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or even wrongful deaths.
Data from 2024 shows that 3,864 collisions in Minnesota involved medium and heavy trucks over 10,000 pounds, leading to 1,070 injuries and 64 fatalities. These trucking accidents involved 7,264 vehicles, with 3,020 of these incidents causing property damage.
If you or a loved one were involved in a Minnesota truck accident, various parties may be liable for your injuries, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck manufacturer. Your truck accident lawyer can look into the facts of your case to prove negligence and liability.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are more exposed while riding their bikes than passenger vehicles or truck drivers, which makes them more vulnerable to crashes and susceptible to severe injuries.
Minnesota statistics show that 1,137 motorcycle collisions were recorded in 2024. These crashes resulted in 1,038 reported injuries and 74 deaths. Regrettably, roughly 98 percent of Minnesota motorcycle accidents lead to injury or wrongful death. In contrast, only 27 percent of passenger car crashes resulted in injury or death.
Starting July 1, 2025, when lane splitting becomes legal in Minnesota, drivers and motorcyclists must take extra care to avoid deadly collisions.
Train Accidents
Train accidents are not an everyday occurrence in Minnesota. Although train accidents are rare, they can have catastrophic consequences.
In 2024, 36 train accidents resulted in 14 injuries and two deaths. If you are a victim of a Minnesota train accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation, including medical expenses and lost wages, from the conductor, train company, or other parties responsible for the incident.
Teen Driving Accidents
In Minnesota, teens as young as 15 can get a learner’s permit to drive. To qualify, the learner must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and pass a knowledge test. However, inexperienced adolescent drivers can be more prone to accidents.
In 2024, Minnesota saw 11,092 collisions involving drivers under 20 years old. These accidents resulted in 62 deaths and 4,383 injuries. Inexperience, texting while driving, failing to use a seat belt, speeding, and drunk driving are all risks associated with teen driving.
Elderly Driving Accidents
Some of the most severe car accident injuries in Minnesota happen to senior drivers and passengers. Older adults are more vulnerable to injury and often struggle more during recovery. Additionally, they are more likely to have preexisting conditions that insurance companies might exploit to avoid paying out deserved compensation.
In 2024, there were 10,875 car accidents in Minnesota involving drivers or passengers aged 65 and older, with 4,960 crashes ending in injuries and 137 deaths. This means there were 456 injuries or fatalities per 1,000 accidents involving senior citizens. In contrast, there were only 431 injuries or fatalities per 1,000 accidents for drivers and passengers under 65.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Crashes in Minnesota
Motor vehicle crashes are a persistent issue in Minnesota and throughout the country. In 2024, human error, mechanical factors, and environmental factors were among Minnesota’s most common causes of vehicle accidents. Learning about these causes helps raise awareness and encourages preventive measures.
Distracted Driving
Actions such as texting while driving, talking on the phone, eating, and adjusting GPS settings or the stereo system can distract a driver’s attention from the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to avoidable crashes. With the rise of mobile technology, distracted driving in Minnesota is an ever-growing concern.
In 2024, distracted driving contributed to 3,740 accidents, which resulted in 18 fatalities and 1,738 injuries. Passengers and electronic devices are some of the main distractions that can lead to motor vehicle accidents.
DUIs
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a major cause of motor vehicle crashes in Minnesota. Despite stringent federal and state laws and awareness campaigns, impaired motorists continue to take risks, getting behind the wheel after drinking and endangering themselves and other road users.
Alcohol and drugs slow reaction times, distort judgment, reduce motor skills, and affect coordination, impeding the ability to drive safely. Drunk drivers are also prone to speeding and failing to yield, which may result in injuries, fatalities, and trauma to accident victims.
In 2024, 3,809 alcohol-related crashes involved 6,015 vehicles. These crashes resulted in 2,217 injuries and 115 deaths. In total, 2,123 collisions that resulted in property damage in 2024 involved driving under the influence.
Aggressive Driving
Speeding, road rage, weaving in and out of traffic, and tailgating are all aggressive driving tactics. These reckless behaviors endanger the safety and well-being of all road users in Minnesota. Data from 2024 notes “operating a vehicle in a reckless or aggressive manner” as a contributing factor in 688 traffic accidents in Minnesota, 489 injuries, and 34 deaths.
Fatigued Driving
Driving while fatigued or drowsy is dangerous and can be just as risky as drunk driving. Tired motorists suffer from reduced awareness and slow reaction times. Some causes of driver fatigue include:
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Driving for long periods
- Stress
- Disturbed sleep or lack of sleep
- Medication
While motor vehicle crash stats for fatigue driving accidents in Minnesota are unavailable, the state recorded 6,349 accidents between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. in 2024, resulting in 1,628 injuries and 73 fatalities. These accidents could have numerous causes, but it’s safe to assume that many resulted from fatigued driving.
Don’t Hesitate To Get Legal Help: Contact Sieben Polk P.A. Today for Your Free Consultation
Motor vehicle crashes affect the lives of many Minnesotans every year. Crashes leave a financial, physical, and emotional toll on accident victims and their loved ones.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Minnesota, you should seek help from the skilled car accident lawyers at Sieben Polk P.A. We help protect your rights and interests so that you can focus on recovery.
Call (651) 437-3148 or fill out our online contact form today to speak to our reputable personal injury lawyers. We’re ready to guide you every step of the way.
