Motorcycles are very popular in the United States, and especially in Minnesota. While motorcycle riding is a fun and unique activity for many, this method of transportation does come with the risk of accident and injury. In Minnesota, traffic fatalities increased by eight percent from 2019 to 2020. Out of 362 total traffic fatalities, 64 were motorcyclists. This can be due to the fact that motorcyclists are not well protected when in a crash or accident. There are many reasons why motorcycle accidents occur, and if you have suffered injuries due to a driver’s negligent acts while driving, you may seek compensation.
In the case of a motorcycle accident fatality, the loss of a loved one is very devastating and challenging to navigate through. Our legal team at Knutson + Casey Law Firm is skilled in personal injury law and represents clients injured in serious accidents. Our attorneys understand the extent of the injuries and life-changing events that our clients have gone through. We’re prepared and dedicated to representing our clients and handling their injury claims professionally.
Motorcyclists can face many challenges on the road since their bikes do not match the size, protection, and visibility of other cars, trucks, and vehicles on the streets. Motorcycle accidents may occur for many reasons. High speeds, inexperience, motorcycle defects, and riding under the influence are factors that can contribute to a motorcyclist getting involved in an accident. However, other drivers on the road also pose a significant danger for motorcyclists for a variety of reasons.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Motorcycle riders often suffer severe injuries during a collision with a car or truck on the road. Cyclists are not equipped with seat belts while riding, and have little protection. They are exposed to the surrounding environment and other vehicles at high speeds, so their bodies are at risk for direct injury during a collision. Collisions have led to fatalities and severe damage that could have been prevented if a driver had been more aware and attentive to the road and surrounding riders.
The impact of a collision for a motorcyclist can vary depending on the speed, force, the severity of a crash, type of accident, and rider position. Unlike cars, cyclists do not have the added protection seat belts or airbags, so a collision can seriously injure a rider’s body.
Possible injuries endured by a motorcyclist during a crash include:
Injuries may vary in severity and length of recovery time depending on the gravity of the accident and what a motorcyclist endured. In less severe cases, cyclists might walk away with seemingly minor injuries like mild road rash and small bruises. In worse cases, paralysis, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, and even death can result from a crash. Speaking to a skilled and experienced attorney can help you recover compensation for your sustained damage and injury.
Many states have rules and regulations regarding motorcycle riding and wearing helmets. In Minneapolis, operators under eighteen must wear a DOT-approved helmet while riding. Protective gear such as a motorcycle helmet, gloves, pads, and other protective equipment has decreased the likelihood of serious injury for many people involved in accidents. However, not all individuals that use protective gear during motorcycle rides are shielded from harm or a possible fatality in severe cases of accidents.
According to the NSC Safety Facts, motorcycle helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing injury for motorcycle riders and 41% effective for motorcycle passengers. Helmets and protective gear do not prevent all injuries from occurring in an accident, and negligent drivers are still subject to cover the costs of damages and injuries they cause for any injured individuals in an accident. A skilled Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer can help you gather all the information needed in a lawsuit. Our legal team may also represent you in a courtroom and guide you through the process of compensation recovery.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering what type of compensation is available for you when filing an injury claim in Minneapolis. An experienced attorney can help you gather all the information and support your case against the responsible parties. Proving negligence after an accident involving a motorcycle and a vehicle may be challenging. Still, your skilled attorney can help you establish your case and gather the truth about what happened to you or a loved one during an accident.
Types of compensation to recover after a motorcycle accident might include:
All motorcycle accident victims can receive compensation for damages, regardless of whether they are short or long-term injuries. As experienced and dedicated lawyers to our client’s injury lawsuits and cases, we understand the extent of what you may have endured or are going through. If you have lost a loved one or suffered injuries and losses from a motorcycle accident, we are here to help you. Ensure you don’t settle for low settlement offers that do not adequately compensate you for what you have suffered by contacting our legal team for the best legal representation in Minneapolis.
Motorcycles are popular in The North Star State. In fact, there are over 200,000 registered motorcycles in MN since many residents prefer the two-wheeler for spectacular views of the beautiful, scenic landscape. However, another side of the story will always pop up when a motorcycle is mentioned—motorcycle accidents. Regrettably, hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths due to motorcycle accidents are recorded annually in Minnesota. Unfortunately, most of them are caused by the negligence of a secondary party. For example, a car driver may hit a motorcyclist if they refuse to give the right of way.
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident but aren’t sure what to do next to recover damages from your insurance or at-fault’s party insurance? Get in touch with a Minnesota motorcycle accident lawyer at Knutson + Casey for expert consultations on how to proficiently go about the compensation recovery process.
Damages associated with a motorcycle accident may be devastating for your physical health, well-being, and financial health. Some of the injuries may cause long-term disabilities that the victim is forced to live with thereafter. Getting a personal injury lawyer who will account for all of the following damages before filing the insurance claim is crucial.
Generally, we all know how hefty medical expenses associated with road crashes may be. Worse, motorcycle accident victims have little protection compared to their car accident counterparts; therefore, the injuries may be significant. Besides, some of these injuries may require treatment for a long time. Your medical provider may also recommend a medical device where necessary. All these costs incurred soon after and in the future may be claimed.
While you may stay home for a few days to a few months before returning to work, your injuries might permanently prevent you from regaining 100% of your original earning capacity. Therefore, it’s crucial that the lawyer you choose shouldn’t only consider lost income, but also the financial benefits you might miss in the future because you can longer accomplish a certain type of work.
Although physical pain may subside with time as you receive treatment for your injuries, emotional distress accompanying a motorcycle accident is sometimes underestimated. Some victims may even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions that might require specialized counseling. Injuries might also cause the victim to miss important social events, leading to the general loss of enjoyment of life. A skilled MN personal injury lawyer will help you precisely estimate the monetary equivalent of this damage when filing for compensation.
If the driver of another vehicle hits your motorcycle, you may file for repairs or replacement costs associated with the damage to the equipment. If the estimated costs of repairing the motorcycle exceed its market value, the insurance will pay the bike’s value instead.
It’s not every accident that occurs that is entirely unavoidable. A good number of motorcycle accidents in Minnesota are due to gross misconduct by another driver for not following the traffic rules. For instance, if a truck driver crashes into a motorcycle due to driving more hours than the limit (drowsy driving) or DWI, the court may enforce punitive damages against the party as a punishment for their conduct. This helps drivers to avoid reckless or careless driving and treat motorcyclists as rightful road users as anyone else.
Regrettably, not all motorcycle accidents end up with all the involved parties getting out alive. When such tragedies occur, the family of the deceased might file a claim for burial costs and loss of family income due to the deceased’s death.
With our experienced MN wrongful death lawyers at Knutson + Casey, you can be sure your loved one will receive the justice they deserve against the negligent party.
There are laws in place in MN that ensure that motorcyclists and other persons they may be biking with are safe. If a motorcyclist is in an accident, they may file a claim against whom they believe to be the responsible party, such as a driver who hit them.
Typically, the responsible insurance company will discuss with your personal injury lawyer and agree on the amount of compensation you should be paid. This is where hiring a private attorney who has your interest at heart becomes exceptionally crucial. If the attorney and the insurance company don’t agree on the amount you should be compensated, the lawyer may recommend you go to trial instead. A lawsuit is also perhaps the only option when the liable party/person doesn’t carry any coverage (or the policy’s limit isn’t enough).
In court, the judge or the jury reserves the right to set the amount that the plaintiff should be paid. Therefore, it is prudent to have a lawyer at your side who will amass all possible evidence and legal rights to prove to the court that you deserve the amount of financial recompense you’re seeking.
Understandably, motorcycle accidents are often fatal due to a lack of protection, like enclosed vehicles. In the very unfortunate event of getting injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s prudent to seek legal counsel from an experienced MN personal injury lawyer. At Knutson + Casey, we understand that the financial and health baggage following the accident may be too heavy to carry when you add the legal jargon in motorcycle accident claims or lawsuits. We have helped thousands of accident victims across Southern Minnesota, and we hope to help you, too.
Don’t accept that lowball offer from the liable party’s insurance. Call us at (507) 344-8888 or fill out our contact form to speak with our team today. A lawyer is waiting to discuss your case and legal options with you.