Minnesota's hands-free law makes it illegal for drivers to hold a cell phone while driving, and a violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in your personal injury case. That means if the other driver was holding their phone when they crashed into you, that behavior can help support your right to recover compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.
If you were hurt in a Minnesota distracted driving accident, the state's hands-free law could play a major role in your injury claim. Under this law, drivers are prohibited from holding a cell phone while driving. When someone breaks that rule and causes an accident that harms you, evidence of their distracted driving can work as powerful proof of carelessness in your personal injury case.
The more you know about your options, the better prepared you will be to make smart choices for your health, your family, and your future.
Key Takeaways about Minnesota’s Hands-Free Law and Distracted Driving Accident Claims
- Minnesota's hands-free law, which took effect August 1, 2019, prohibits drivers from holding a cell phone or other wireless device while operating a vehicle.
- A driver who violates the hands-free law and causes a crash may be considered negligent, which can strengthen an injured person's personal injury claim.
- Distracted driving includes texting, scrolling, video calling, gaming, and other activities that take a driver's attention away from the road.
- Evidence such as phone records, witness statements, and crash reports can help show that a driver was distracted at the time of a collision.
- Minnesota's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is six years, while Wisconsin's is three years.
- Injured people in Minnesota may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses connected to the crash.
What Is Minnesota's Hands-Free Law?
Minnesota's hands-free law changed the way drivers are allowed to use cell phones behind the wheel. The law is part of Minnesota Statute 169.475, and it took effect across the state on August 1, 2019.
Before this law, drivers were only banned from texting, but many still held their phones for calls, maps, or apps. That loophole led to more distracted driving crashes, and lawmakers wanted to close it.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Governor Tim Walz signed the bill into law on April 12, 2019. The goal was simple: cut down on distracted driving crashes by keeping phones out of drivers' hands. Minnesota became the 17th state to adopt a hands-free rule.
The law applies to nearly every driver on Minnesota roads, from Minneapolis commuters on I-94 to rural drivers in Willmar and travelers crossing through Oakdale. In short, the law tells drivers that the road, not the phone, deserves their full attention.
What Drivers Can and Cannot Do Under the Law
The hands-free law does not ban all cell phone use. Instead, it changes how drivers may use their phones. Understanding the difference matters, especially if you are trying to figure out whether the other driver broke the law before hitting you.
Under Minnesota's hands-free law, drivers generally cannot:
- Hold a phone in their hand while driving, even at a stop light or in traffic.
- Read texts, emails, or social media posts on a handheld device.
- Type, scroll, or tap on a phone while behind the wheel.
- Use video calling, live streaming, or apps like Snapchat while driving.
- Watch videos or look at photos stored on the phone.
- Play mobile games while operating the vehicle.
Drivers may still use their phones in limited ways, such as making calls, sending texts by voice command, or using GPS navigation, but only through voice activation or a single-touch feature without holding the device.
Emergency calls to report a crash, fire, or safety threat are also allowed. Even with these exceptions, the law is clear that drivers must keep their focus on the road.
How Distracted Driving Causes Serious Crashes
Distracted driving is more than just a phone problem. It includes any activity that pulls a driver's eyes, hands, or mind away from the task of driving. On busy Minnesota roads like I-394 near Minneapolis or Highway 12 through Willmar, even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a life-changing crash.
Common forms of distracted driving include:
- Texting, emailing, or scrolling on a handheld phone.
- Eating, drinking, or reaching for items inside the vehicle.
- Adjusting GPS devices, radios, or climate controls while driving.
- Turning to talk with passengers or handle pets in the car.
- Daydreaming or becoming mentally disengaged from driving.
- Reading billboards, signs, or other outside distractions for too long.
Any one of these behaviors can cause a driver to miss a red light, drift into another lane, or fail to see a stopped car ahead. When that happens, innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians pay the price.
That is why the hands-free law exists, and why it can play such a strong role in distracted driving accident claims when a distracted driver causes harm.
How a Hands-Free Law Violation Affects Your Injury Claim
Here is where the hands-free law becomes very important for your personal injury claim. In Minnesota, drivers have a legal duty to drive carefully and follow traffic laws. When a driver breaks a safety law and causes a crash, that behavior can be used as evidence of negligence.
Negligence simply means failing to act with reasonable care, which is the foundation of most car accident claims. If the driver who hit you was holding their phone, scrolling, or watching a video, that action is a clear violation of state law. Speaking with a car accident lawyer can help you gather the proof needed to show:
- The driver was not paying attention to the road.
- The driver broke a traffic safety law meant to protect others.
- The driver's careless conduct was a direct cause of the crash.
- The driver's choices caused your injuries and related losses.
When this evidence is clear, insurance companies often have a harder time denying or lowering your claim. A strong case built on a hands-free violation can open the door to fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. That is why gathering the right evidence early can make such a big difference in your case.
Evidence That Can Prove Distracted Driving
Proving that someone was distracted is not always as simple as asking them. Most drivers will not admit that they were on their phone. That is why gathering strong evidence is so important in these cases. The earlier you or your distracted driving accident lawyers can start collecting proof, the better your chances of building a solid claim.
Helpful types of evidence in a distracted driving case include:
- Cell phone records showing calls, texts, or data use at the time of the crash.
- Police reports that note phone use, admissions, or witness comments.
- Witness statements from other drivers, passengers, or people nearby.
- Dashcam or traffic camera footage showing the driver's behavior.
- Photos of the crash scene, including the inside of the other vehicle.
- Social media posts or messages sent right before or after the crash.
Putting these pieces together often takes time, legal tools, and a careful eye for detail. Our team works to track down this kind of evidence so your story is backed by facts, not just your word against theirs.
Compensation You May Recover After a Distracted Driving Crash
When a distracted driver causes a crash, the harm can reach far beyond the car itself. Many injured people face long medical treatments, missed paychecks, and deep emotional strain. Minnesota law allows injured people to seek compensation for many of these losses, and a strong case can help you rebuild your life.
Types of compensation that may be available include:
- Medical expenses, both current and future, tied to your injuries.
- Lost wages from time missed at work during recovery.
- Reduced earning ability if your injuries limit your future work.
- Pain and suffering caused by the crash and your injuries.
- Costs for rehabilitation, therapy, and in-home care.
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal items.
Every case is different, and the value of a claim depends on many factors, including the severity of the injuries and the details of the crash. Talking with our Minnesota personal injury lawyers can help you better understand the damages in a personal injury case and what your claim may be worth.
Minnesota's Time Limits for Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Time matters when it comes to personal injury claims. Minnesota law sets a deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for filing most personal injury cases. In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is six years.
If you wait too long to act, you may lose the right to file a claim at all. That is why it helps to speak with attorneys as soon as possible after a distracted driving crash. Early action gives you more time to gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and protect your rights before important details fade.
FAQs for Minnesota's Hands-Free Law and Distracted Driving Claims
Below are some common questions people ask about Minnesota's hands-free law and how it connects to distracted driving injury claims.
Does Minnesota's hands-free law apply to drivers who are stopped at a red light?
Yes. The law applies any time a vehicle is part of traffic, including when the driver is stopped at a red light, stop sign, or in slow moving traffic. Drivers cannot pick up their phones just because they are not actively moving.
Can I still file a personal injury claim if the distracted driver did not get a ticket?
Yes. A ticket can help support your claim, but it is not required. You can still pursue a personal injury claim if there is other evidence that the driver was distracted, such as phone records, witness statements, or video footage.
What if I was partly at fault for the distracted driving crash?
Minnesota uses a comparative fault system, which means you may still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, as long as your share of fault is not greater than the other driver's. Your recovery may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Does the hands-free law cover passengers using cell phones?
No. The law focuses on drivers. Passengers are free to use their phones, though drivers must still keep their own focus on the road. Distractions from phones held by passengers generally do not fall under this specific law.
What should I do if I think the driver who hit me was using their phone?
Try to note anything you saw or heard, such as the driver looking down or holding a device. Share this information with the police and keep a written record while the details are fresh. Speaking with personal injury lawyers early can also help protect important evidence.
Does the hands-free law apply to commercial drivers and rideshare drivers?
Yes. Commercial drivers, rideshare drivers, and delivery drivers must follow the same hands-free rules. In fact, many companies have their own stricter policies on top of Minnesota law.
Talk With Our Minnesota Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one were hurt by a distracted driver, you do not have to face the road ahead alone. At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, our Minnesota personal injury lawyers are ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain how the hands-free law may support your claim. We serve clients across Minneapolis, Oakdale, Willmar, and nearby communities, and we welcome Spanish-speaking clients and their families.
Call our Minneapolis office today at (952) 567-2488 to speak with our team about your distracted driving accident claim. We are here to help you focus on healing while we focus on seeking the compensation you deserve.