Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
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Motorcycle accidents are problematic in Minneapolis and other Minnesota cities and towns.
Research indicates 44 motorcyclists were killed and 840 were injured in crashes in Minnesota in 2019. These crashes occurred for a variety of reasons, including:
- Careless, negligent, or erratic driving
- Speeding
- Running the vehicle off the road
A motorcycle accident can cause serious injuries — and those responsible should be held accountable. Fortunately, motorcycle accident victims can partner with a personal injury lawyer.
Milavetz Injury Law, P.A. has experienced Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyers on staff. Our team learns about your motorcycle accident and the party responsible for it. From here, we help motorcycle accident victims build winning cases.
Serious Injury and Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Minneapolis
Motorcycle accidents in Minnesota have decreased over the past decade. However, they are reported year-round and remain severe problems that can crop up at any time.
Meanwhile, motorcycle accidents can be tragic. For example, a Minnesota motorcyclist was recently struck and killed by a passing motorist after hitting a deer and lying in the road. Similar accidents have occurred over the years. And they will likely continue to happen in the foreseeable future.
A motorcycle accident victim can get injured or die. At this time, the victim and their family may suffer the consequences. Thankfully, a motorcycle accident lawyer can provide assistance to the victim and their family.
Milavetz Law employs Minneapolis motorcycle accident attorneys who pay attention to the details. We believe no motorcycle accident is too big or too small. Our attorneys do everything they can to help motorcycle accident victims get fair financial compensation from at-fault parties.
Most Dangerous Types of Roads for Minneapolis Motorcyclists
A motorcyclist can cause an accident on any Minneapolis road. But there are road conditions that make certain roads more dangerous than others. These conditions include:
- Poor lighting
- Rough terrain
- Gravel
- Slick surfaces
- Standing water
Motorcyclists must keep a watchful eye on road conditions. If dangerous road conditions are present, motorcyclists should slow down and take other precautions to navigate safely. Otherwise, motorcyclists risk accidents that put themselves and others in danger.
Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident Laws
Motorcycle accident legal claims in Minneapolis fall under the personal injury category. A clear understanding of motorcycle accident claims is paramount for those who want to pursue compensation due to an injury. By working with a best-in-class Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer, a victim can seek out the maximum compensation amount from the party responsible for their injury.
Who's liable for a motorcycle accident with injuries?
A motorcycle accident victim with injuries should never assume responsibility for their injury. The following elements of negligence may be present to show someone else is responsible for the victim’s injury:
- There is a duty owed to the victim that was breached.
- The breach of duty led to the victim’s injury.
- There is verifiable proof that the breach of duty caused the victim’s injury.
- duty plaintiff’s sufferance of an injury proof that defendant’s breach caused the injury (typically defined through proximate cause)
Also, a motorcycle accident victim must be able to provide evidence to support their case. For example, the victim can provide medical bills to show how much was paid due to their injury. The victim can even seek out testimonials from witnesses.
A motorcycle accident victim should consider who may be responsible for their accident, too. There can be times when a motorcyclist is 100% responsible. Conversely, a motorcycle manufacturer or other parties may be held partially or fully accountable.
What if I share blame for a Minneapolis motorcycle accident?
Minnesota is a comparative-fault state. As such, those who share blame for a motorcycle accident may receive less compensation than those who are not responsible.
For example, a motorcycle accident may file a lawsuit for $10,000 against an at-fault party. The judge or jury may then find the victim is 20% responsible. In this instance, the compensation provided to the victim is reduced by 20%. Thus, the victim will receive $8,000.
A motorcycle accident victim can recover damages from an at-fault party more than 50% responsible. If the victim is primarily responsible for the accident, this individual cannot recover damages.
There can be times when an at-fault party tries to assign partial or full blame to a motorcycle accident victim. By hiring a top-notch motorcycle accident lawyer, a victim can protect their legal claim. This attorney can help the victim prove their case. As a result, the victim is well-equipped to receive fair compensation.
Following Applicable Minneapolis Motorcycle Operations Requirements and Regulations
All motorcyclists in Minneapolis must:
- Have a valid permit or license.
- Register their motorcycle and display a valid license plate.
- Buy liability insurance.
- Carry proof of insurance when riding.
- Wear eye protection.
Those who have a motorcycle permit must wear a Minnesota Department of Transportation-approved helmet. They also cannot carry passengers or drive at night.
Motorcyclists under the age of 18 must also wear a DOT-approved helmet any time they ride.
Time Limit to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Minnesota
There is a six-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit in a Minnesota motorcycle accident legal case.
For instance, an individual may experience an injury during an accident that occurs due to a driver’s negligence. The accident victim has six years from the date of the accident to file their lawsuit against the driver. If the victim waits too long, this individual becomes ineligible to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
What damages can I receive after a Minneapolis motorcycle accident?
Minneapolis motorcycle accident victims can receive any of the following damages:
- Economic: Compensation for monetary losses.
- Non-Economic: Compensation for subjective and non-monetary losses.
- Punitive: Damages awarded to deter reckless or negligent behaviors; punitive damages are not economic or non-economic.
There are no caps on damages Minnesota motorcycle accident victims can receive.
Minnesota Insurance Requirements for Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists in Minnesota must purchase liability insurance that meets the following minimum requirements:
- $30,000 for injuries to one individual.
- $60,000 for injuries to two or more people.
- $10,000 for property damage.
Motorcyclists must also obtain uninsured coverage that pays for medical expenses if another driver is responsible for an accident and does not have insurance. The minimum requirements for uninsured coverage are $25,000 for injuries to one person and $50,000 for injuries to two or more people.
Furthermore, motorcyclists must have underinsured coverage that pays for medical claims if another party is responsible for the accident and does not have sufficient insurance. The minimum requirements for underinsured coverage are $25,000 for injuries to one person and $50,000 for injuries to two or more people.
Common Causes of Minneapolis Motorcycle Accidents
Some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Minneapolis include:
- Operator inexperience
- Alcohol use
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Sudden stops
Staying Safe as a Motorcyclist on Minneapolis Roadways
Here are tips to help motorcyclists stay safe on Minneapolis roadways:
- Check the weather before heading out on the road and plan accordingly.
- Inspect your motorcycle before each ride.
- Wear a helmet, eye protection, and other safety gear.
- Follow the rules of the road.
- Keep your eyes on the road.
- Use both brakes as needed.
- Stay a safe distance from cars, pedestrians, and other motorcycles.
Why should I hire the personal injury attorneys at Milavetz Law to help me after a motorcycle accident in Minneapolis?
Milavetz Law is a trusted Minneapolis motorcycle accident law firm. Over the years, we have helped motorcycle accident victims secure thousands of dollars in case compensation.
We won’t rest on our laurels, either. Our team continues to explore ways to assist motorcycle accident victims. Thus far, we have met or exceeded many motorcycle accident victims’ expectations.
Our Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyers are available to meet with you and review your legal claim. For more information or to request a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 763-560-0000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) After a Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident
You don’t necessarily have to wear a helmet if you’re riding a motorcycle in Minneapolis. Helmets are required for motorcyclists only if they are under the age of 18. If you are not wearing a helmet at the time of your accident, you may be susceptible to head injuries. But the fact that you were not wearing a helmet is unlikely to have any impact on your ability to receive compensation from the party responsible for your accident.
Don’t be surprised if an insurance company tries to contact you shortly after a motorcycle accident. In this instance, the insurance company may pressure you to accept a settlement.
If an insurance company contacts you, try to stay calm, cool, and collected. Review the insurance company’s settlement request but do not agree to it. At this point, get in touch with a Minneapolis motorcycle accident attorney. Then, you can pursue the maximum compensation for your accident.
Your insurance company may be able to provide you with compensation following a motorcycle accident if you have uninsured and underinsured policies. To find out how much money you can receive, get in touch with your insurance provider. The company can then share details about your insurance coverage. It can also respond to any concerns or questions you have regarding your insurance.
You may need to pay a retainer fee to hire a motorcycle accident attorney. Yet some personal injury lawyers use a contingency fee arrangement in lieu of a retainer. This agreement ensures you won’t have to pay anything to your lawyer unless you win your case.
You can file a lawsuit for wrongful death due to a motorcycle accident. Minnesota has a six-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. This entitles you to submit a claim against an at-fault party for a wrongful death in a motorcycle accident within six years of the event.
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims pauses if an at-fault party leaves the state. The statute remains intact as long as the at-fault party remains in the state.
For example, a motorcycle accident may occur that causes an injury. If the at-fault party leaves the state three months after the accident, the statute of limitations pauses at this time. The statute resumes once the at-fault party returns to the state. At this time, the victim has 21 months to file their motorcycle accident lawsuit.
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Practice Areas
Minneapolis Office Location
305 North 5th Avenue, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 339-0140
