MOTORCYCLE INJURY LAWYERS ROCHESTER, MN
Are you looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer in Rochester, MN? Motorcycle accidents on Rochester, MN roadways cause serious injuries or death to thousands of motorcyclists a year.
Unfortunately for motorcyclists, fatal motorcycle accidents tend to be more common than other fatal motor vehicle accidents when it comes to deaths. Even when the motorcyclist survives the accident, the motorcycle injuries can be catastrophic and life-changing.
Under Minnesota law, there are plenty of legal nuances that apply only to motorcycle accidents. Victims of a motorcycle crash may face lost wages, unmanageable medical bills, repair costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and a tremendous amount of complicated insurance forms.
Without an attorney, the insurance company will likely offer to pay medical bills and fix your bike, and that is it. However, there is much more to a case than just the medical bills. At Patterson Dahlberg, we will make sure that lost wages and pain and suffering are included in the negotiations.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help protect your rights if you or a loved one was harmed in a motorcycle crash. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
MOTORCYCLE CRASH STATISTICS IN MINNESOTA
According to Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, in 2014, there were 46 motorcycle-related fatalities on Minnesota roads. Additionally, 147 motorcyclists were severely injured, 507 were moderately injured, and 405 suffered minor injuries in motorcycle accidents.
Furthermore, motorcycle wrecks have a higher fatality rate than other motor vehicle crashes. For all traffic crashes in Minnesota in 2014, 0.4 out of 100 were fatal, but with motorbike accidents in the same year, 3.7 out of every 100 were fatal.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CAUSES IN MINNESOTA
In motorcycle accidents involving at least one other vehicle, the contributing factors associated with the accident were most frequently attributed to the other drivers and involved failure to yield right of way and driver inattention or distraction. Often, these crashes are considered “look but don’t see” accidents, in which other drivers fail to properly see motorcycles on the road.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists are commonly blamed for an accident. Insurers raise allegations of speeding, inattentiveness, or recklessness on the part of a motorcyclist.
MINNESOTA MOTORCYCLE LAW
Under Minnesota law, any motorcycle operator or rider under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. Anyone operating a motorcycle under a learner’s permit, regardless of their age, must also wear a helmet.
Minnesota law does not allow whether a motorcyclist was wearing a helmet to affect a jury’s determination of damages.
After a motorcycle accident, victims may be entitled to recover Economic Damages and Non-Economic Damages that could cover financial and non-financial losses.
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses
- Anticipated Future Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Diminished Earning Capacity
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Disability or Disfigurement
- Loss of Quality of Life
- Loss of Consortium
- Wrongful Death
It is vital for the victim and their loved ones to acquire any piece of evidence and documentation that can prove these losses. Knowing your rights under Minnesota law is crucial. That is why having an experienced attorney to represent you is needed.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Minnesota
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injury
- Bone fractures
- Facial fractures
- Disfigurement
- Road rash
What to do if I get involved in a motorcycle accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle wreck, report the accident to the police. If you have suffered any injuries in the accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If possible, take photos to document the accident scene and write down the details of the crash. Inform your insurance company of the accident. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your options.
What can a motorcycle accident lawyer do?
A motorcycle accident lawyer will help you make sense of the overwhelming insurance claims process. Handling this on your own is confusing, time-consuming, and stressful. Your attorney will help you with the legal process while you dedicate your time to healing yourself.
Can I receive compensation even if I was partially to blame for the accident?
Even if you were partly to blame for your motorbike crash, you may still receive some compensation. If your motorcycle accident lawsuit goes to court and the jury finds you are less than half responsible for the accident, you may still receive compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and other damages.
WRONGFUL DEATH MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
The death of a loved one is always a tragedy, but knowing that someone’s fault or negligence may have caused it, it can be devastating. A wrongful death claim can only be filed by surviving family members who are affected by the victim’s death, known as “real parties in interest.”
In Minnesota, any surviving family member who lost companionship and financial support of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. This includes:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents (if there are no surviving children or if the deceased was not an adult)
- Sibling (if there are no surviving children or parents)
The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death case in Minnesota is three years.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS SERVING MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL, ROCHESTER, AND BEYOND
It is in your best interest to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after a motorbike crash. Insurance companies do not act in the best interest of motorcycle crash victims and, therefore, will attempt to pay as little as possible when offering a motorcycle accident settlement. An attorney can negotiate for fair motorbike accident compensation from the insurance company or help you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to treat you fairly.
An experienced Minnesota motorcycle accident attorney can help protect your rights if you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle collision.
Contact a motorcycle accident attorney at Patterson Dahlberg today for a no-obligation consultation. Our lawyers are ready to work with you on your injury claims and ensure that you receive the proper compensation and results for your claim. We are experienced both in and out of the courtroom and know how to navigate this complex process and help you through it.
Contact an experienced Minnesota motorcycle personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better.
YOUR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN MINNESOTA
The experienced personal injury attorneys of Patterson Dahlberg are here to help you or your loved ones to get the compensations you deserve. With two locations to best assist you, our attorneys are keen to provide you with top-notch services to make you feel confident that all your rights are protected.
Contact today 507-424-3000 (Rochester, MN) or 612-474-3000 (Minneapolis/St.Paul Metro). Or email dahlberg@pattersondahlberg.com to book your appointment. We are ready to help and advise you with your legal case.