Minneapolis-St. Paul Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Fighting For Bikers

Last updated on September 12, 2024

If you ride a motorcycle, you know it comes with a certain level of risk. The feeling of freedom is often the point of riding. Even if you compensate for that risk by taking every safety precaution, you cannot control other drivers. One negligent driver can cause an accident that threatens your life in a split second. If you have suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who understands these cases and will fight to recover the damages you deserve.

Talking to a motorcycle accident lawyer at Keller, Woods & Thompson, P.A. can help you understand what’s at stake with these injuries. Our firm has been aggressively fighting for accident victims for over two decades. Located in Minneapolis, we represent clients throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

5 Common Road Hazards Minnesota and Wisconsin Bikers Need To Look Out For

While other drivers are one of the biggest hazards for motorcyclists, they are not alone. Here are some of the most dangerous hazards bikers need to watch for while on the road:

Animals: ranging from squirrels to deer, animals regularly cross rural roads. Bikers who try to avoid animals may veer off the road. Other drivers may brake suddenly or swerve into a motorcycle to avoid deer. Collisions with larger animals like deer could lead to serious injury. Deer typically migrate during spring and autumn, so take extra care during these months.
Slick roads: oil, water and ice pose a bigger threat to bikers because it’s easier to lose traction. Minnesota and Wisconsin are two of the coldest states in America, so the risk of slipping on ice is much greater.
Breaks in the road:some bridges have small spaces where the joints meet. Cars can pass over these spaces easily, but motorcycles might have more difficulty. The same goes for railroad crossings. Your tire can catch on the tracks if you ride at high speeds.
Uneven roads: unpaved roads or roads with potholes are not uncommon in rural areas. These are especially dangerous for bikers because you can more easily lose control of a motorcycle than a car. Sometimes, traffic lanes are different heights. If you cross into another lane, you may hit this break. Additionally, if the shoulder is lower than the road, veering off could result in injury.
Random debris: you never know what you might find on the road. From car parts and furniture to tree branches and rocks, debris poses more of a hazard to bikers. Attempting to avoid the hazard could cause you to lose traction or fall off your bike.

Do Bikers Need To Wear A Helmet In Minnesota?

In Minnesota, it is legally required for drivers and passengers under 18 to wear a motorcycle helmet. They must wear MNDOT-approved helmets while operating or riding as passengers on motorcycles, motorized bicycles or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

This regulation helps protect younger riders, who are more susceptible to injuries in an accident. Also, the measure aims to minimize the severity of injuries and potential fatalities.

On the other hand, as an adult motorcyclist, you decide whether to wear a helmet. Minnesota adheres to a comparative negligence standard, which means that if fault is apportioned between parties involved in an accident, the absence of a helmet will not be the sole determinant of compensation in injury claims.

Under Minnesota law statute 604.01, injury claims resulting from motorcycle crashes won’t be dismissed because the rider was not wearing a helmet. However, if the failure to wear a helmet is deemed contributory to a motorcyclist’s injuries, the court may proportionally reduce any compensation awarded. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help injured riders determine their best approach to these injuries.

Dealing with the intricacies of motorcycle accident claims, especially when seeking fair compensation, requires legal experience. Engaging a proficient motorcycle accident attorney helps make sure that your rights are protected. They can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the claims process.

After a motorcycle crash, medical expenses, lost wages and emotional distress can significantly impact your life. A personal injury attorney experienced in motorcycle accident injury cases can provide support in pursuing fair compensation. They can:

Therefore, seeking the guidance of a reputable motorcycle accident attorney is vital to securing a favorable outcome.

How Is Liability Determined In a Minneapolis – St. Paul Motorcycle Accident?

In Minnesota, the state’s no-fault insurance system influences the determination of liability in a motorcycle accident. While most vehicle accidents fall under this system, motorcycle accidents are treated differently, particularly regarding insurance coverage and liability.

Minnesota’s no-fault insurance, known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), typically covers medical bills and other costs for car accident victims, regardless of fault. However, motorcyclists are not required to carry PIP coverage. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, your ability to recover damages may depend heavily on establishing fault, especially if your injuries are severe or your medical costs are high.

To determine liability, a motorcycle accident lawyer will focus on proving that another party’s negligence caused the accident. This could involve collecting evidence such as police reports, witness statements and testimony. In Minnesota, you can claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet the state’s legal thresholds, which often involve significant medical care costs, permanent injury or disfigurement.

Minnesota also follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are found to be partially responsible for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by that amount. This is a critical factor in motorcycle accident cases, as establishing the other driver’s liability can greatly impact the compensation you receive.

While the no-fault system applies broadly in Minnesota, motorcycle accident victims must often rely on proving fault to secure compensation. Experienced personal injury lawyers understand the nuances of these cases and can help ensure that your claim accurately reflects the circumstances of the accident. Your motorcycle injury lawyer will work to obtain the full compensation you deserve, covering medical bills, ongoing medical care and other damages that may arise after a serious motorcycle accident.

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents

If you have been riding for any length of time, you have already learned to pick out dangerous drivers, risky behavior and cars that might cut you off. Experienced riders learn to ride defensively, but that is not always enough. The margin of error on a motorcycle is so slim you simply don’t always have time to react. Common types of motorcycle accidents caused by negligent drivers include:

Head-on collisions – As one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, this is also one of the most dangerous and often results in serious injury or death.
Left-hand turns – Another common type of crash for motorcycles is when a car turns left and does not notice the motorcycle.
Distracted driving – The biggest problem most riders face is that other drivers simply do not see them. Distracted driving is on the rise across all types of motor vehicle accidents, but motorcycles are more vulnerable than most due to size.
Merging and changing lanes – Too often, drivers do not properly check for traffic before changing lanes. Motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to see, resulting in a dangerous collision when a car suddenly moves over.
Road hazards – Road debris and other road hazards can wreak havoc on a motorcycle due to stability and relative size. Road hazards like the ones above can sometimes be traced back to a negligent party, but not always.

Of course, many more scenarios result in motorcycle accidents. These are just a few of the more common ones involving the negligence of others.

Putting Your Life Back Together

The unfortunate truth is that motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or even death. You could be facing a long road to recovery with medical treatments and physical therapy. You should not settle for the first offer the insurance company makes. Allow our experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to pursue justice for you. We will take your case to trial if we don’t believe a settlement offer is fair.

If you lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident, Keller, Woods & Thompson can help you pursue a claim for wrongful death. Although nothing can replace your loved one, your family should at least be compensated for the financial and emotional damages you suffered.

Keller, Woods & Thompson Is Here For you

When you work with a motorcycle accident lawyer at Keller, Woods & Thompson, they will do whatever possible to get you back on the road and enjoying life again. Let us fight for you. Call our office at 763-571-2345 or send us an email today. to schedule a free initial consultation.