Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

 
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Minneapolis can get the justice you deserve if you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash.  If you have additional questions, please call our law firm at 651-259-1113.

Why Choose Us

Choosing the right Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.  Each lawyer is different.  Some have more experience, skill, and determination than others.  Attorneys Isaac Tyroler and Rachel Sperling Leonard are among the best and the brightest.  We are compassionate and understanding with clients because we know that many have been through traumatic experiences.  But when necessary, we’re tough on opponents.  We are aggressive negotiators and fierce litigators.  We take each case personally and are entirely focused on getting our clients the justice they deserve.  We are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies to negotiate a favorable settlement or litigate a case in front of a judge and jury when necessary.  We will not stop until we have achieved the best possible outcome for every client.  We have achieved outstanding case results.  To learn more about what our satisfied clients have to say, you can read these client testimonials.

How We Can Help

A Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law can build a strong legal case on your behalf to achieve the highest payout possible.  Our efforts include:

• Interviewing eyewitnesses
• Securing surveillance video, if available
• Collecting medical records and tests
• Reviewing police reports
• Gathering evidence
• Hiring expert witnesses, if needed
• Investigating the crash scene
• Preparing you for deposition
• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
• Litigating your case in court, if necessary.

At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we’ll walk beside you every step of the way throughout the legal process, so you’ll never be alone.

Minnesota Modified Comparative Negligence Rules

Some states, including Minnesota, follow a rule known as “modified comparative negligence.”  This means the law understands that in many situations, more than one person can be at fault for an accidental injury.  A court will determine the amount of fault that belongs to each party based on the facts in the case.  As long as your portion of fault is 50% or less, you will be entitled to collect a certain amount of damages.

For example, suppose you’re riding your motorcycle down a busy street and a car runs a stop sign and pulls out in front of you, causing your bike to crash.  You were speeding 5 miles per hour over the speed limit, and the other driver was texting on his phone.  Eventually, it’s determined that you are 10% at fault for the accident, and the other driver is 90% at fault.  Let’s say the total damages for the accident are calculated to be $600,000. Under Minnesota’s comparative fault rule, 10% (the percentage of fault assigned to you) will be subtracted from that $600,000.  This means you may collect 90% of the total, or $540,000.

If you have additional questions about the specific facts in your case and want to learn more about how fault could be determined, talk to a skilled Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law.  Call us for a free consultation at 651-259-1113.

How to Prove Negligence in a Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident

Your attorney will have to prove “negligence” to be successful in a Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawsuit.  This means showing that the other person caused the accident in which you were injured.  To prove negligence, your lawyer will need to show:

1. Duty
   The defendant owed the plaintiff a legal “duty of care” to ensure that an environment or location was safe.
2. Breach
   A plaintiff must show that the defendant breached this duty by doing, or failing to do, something that a reasonable person would have done in a similar situation.
3. Causation
   A plaintiff must show that the defendant’s actions, or inaction, caused the injuries to another person.
4. Damages
   Damages means that there’s a monetary way of compensating a plaintiff for their injuries and property damage.

 
Proving negligence and determining fault are related, but they are not the same thing.  However, both will impact the potential success of your claim.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

A wide variety of things can cause motorcycle accidents – driver error, bad weather, and unfamiliar surroundings, to name a few.  According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 80% of all reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death compared to just 20% in passenger vehicles. Following are some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes:

1. Speeding
   According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study, approximately 31% of all U.S. motorcycle riders who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
2. Weather
   Inclement weather – whether rain, sleet, snow, wind or fog – can reduce visibility and make roads slick and hazardous.
3. Alcohol and Drug Use
   Drinking alcohol (either by the motorcyclist or driver of the other vehicle) significantly increases the likelihood of accidents.
4. Distracted Drivers
   All too often, drivers of other vehicles are texting, eating, talking on the phone, listening to podcasts, or otherwise not paying attention to their surroundings.
5. Left Turns
   Drivers of other vehicles have been known to turn left into oncoming motorcyclists simply because they didn’t see them in mirrors or when looking at the road.
6. Physical and Emotional Impairment
   Riding while sleep-deprived, ill, or without the heighth or strength to handle a large motorcycle can lead to crashes.
7. Mechanical Problems
   Failing brakes, poor tire tread, and other mechanical and electrical defects can lead to accidents.
8. Roadway Conditions
   Construction zones and poorly maintained roads with potholes, gravel shoulders, and other problems can spell danger for motorcyclists.

 
Because motorcycle riders are so vulnerable and sometimes hard to see, they should use extra caution when encountering other vehicles and pedestrians.  Also, wearing helmets saves lives.

Damages a Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Request

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you could be entitled to economic as well as non-economic damages.  A motorcycle accident attorney in Minneapolis can fight to get the maximum damages possible.  These include:

Economic Damages

• Medical and hospital bills
• Future medical care and rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings potential
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• PTSD
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional distress and anxiety

In some cases, a judge can also award punitive damages. These are meant to punish repeat or reckless offenders who show complete disregard for the safety of others.  Punitive damages are also meant to send a warning to others who might be tempted to behave similarly.

Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accident injuries are often severe and life-threatening.  Following are potential injuries a motorcyclist can sustain in a crash:

• Head trauma & brain injuries
• Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds
• Burns
• Neck and spine injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Paralysis.

A crash can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars In medical bills, lost wages, and even permanent disability.  In the terrible event that your loved one is killed in a motorcycle crash, you can file a wrongful death claim.  While it won’t bring your loved one back, it can help provide financial resources for surviving family members. In a wrongful death case, you can claim all the economic and non-economic damages above as well as the cost of funeral and burial services.

Statute of Limitations for Minneapolis Motorcycle Accidents

In most cases, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident injury claim is six years in Minnesota.  The 6-year statute of limitations for Minnesota personal injury lawsuits can be found at Minnesota Statutes section 541.05.  There are a few scenarios in which the “clock” on the statute of limitations may be delayed.  These include:

• If the injured person is younger than 18, then the statute does not run until the later of 6 years or the person turns 19 years old.
• If the injured person is legally insane, the clock won’t start until the period of legal disability is over (mental competence is restored).  However, this filing deadline will not be extended beyond five (5) years, and once sanity is restored, the lawsuit must be filed within one (1) year. (Minnesota Statutes section 541.15.)

Special Rules for Motorcyclists on the Road in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) publishes its Motorcycle Laws and Regulations each year.  These include:

• Motorcyclists are entitled to the full use of their lanes and have all the rights and duties of other drivers. 169.974 subd. 5 (f) (g) 
• Motorcyclists are permitted to travel in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) carpool lanes. Title 23, U.S. Code, Section 166 
• All laws regarding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs apply to motorcyclists as well. 169A 
• Careless and reckless driving 169.13 applies to motorcyclists as well, and includes “wheelies,” “stoppies,” standing on the seat, etc. 169.13
• A motorcyclist may only ride on a permanent seat. Passengers may ride on a passenger seat or in a sidecar. 169.974 subd. 5 (a)
• Passengers under the age of 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet. 169.974 subd. 4 (a) 
• Passengers must be able to reach both footrests while seated on the passenger seat. 169.974 subd. 5 (b) 
• Operators and passengers must face forward with one leg on each side of the motorcycle. 169.974 subd. 5 (c) 
• Motorcyclists must not carry anything that interferes with holding onto the handlebars. 169.974 subd. 5 (d) 
• Splitting traffic is illegal. No one except on-duty police officers may ride between lanes of traffic or in the same lane with another vehicle. It is legal for two motorcyclists to ride side-by-side if both riders agree to it. 169.974 subd. 5 (e) 
• Motorcyclists are provided with an affirmative defense when proceeding through an unchanging red light that has shown red for an unreasonable time if no vehicle or pedestrian is approaching the street. 169.06 subd. 9 
• Headphones/earphones: one ear only. 169.471 subd. 2 (a) 

It’s always a good idea to review the rules of the road before taking your motorcycle out for a long ride.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

8 Steps to Take Immediately After a Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been involved in a Minneapolis motorcycle crash, there are important steps you should take to avoid further injury and protect your legal rights.  These include:

1. Call 911 and ask police to respond to the scene.
2. Seek medical attention right away, even if this means riding in an ambulance to the hospital emergency room.
3. Get the other driver’s name and license information.
4. Get the name and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
5. If you are able, use your cell phone to take pictures of your injuries, the damage to both vehicles, and the crash scene.
6. Answer police officers’ questions succinctly, but do not over-explain.  Above all, do not say you were at fault for the accident.
7. Be polite, but say as little as possible to the other driver.
8. Hire a Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you.

 
By taking these steps, you can ensure your safety, preserve evidence, and position yourself well should you later decide to file a personal injury claim.

Our Blog Provides Answers to Clients

One of the services our law firm provides is an extensive list of informative blogs that explain your legal rights and explore damages you may be entitled to.  We believe that an informed and educated client is also a more confident client.  We want to help dispel your fears and uncertainties, and we’ll take the time to answer your questions and explain the legal process.  You don’t ever have to feel alone or overwhelmed.  Take a moment to read through our blogs and learn more about damages for pain and suffering, how to get a police report corrected, suing for a concussion, and many other topics.  There’s a wealth of information in our blogs that will help you feel empowered.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Minneapolis Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Minneapolis motorcycle accident, your entire world has been turned upside down.  At Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, we understand the stress you are under.  While you focus on recovering, let us handle the legal side of things.  Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Minneapolis can build a strong case on your behalf seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.  You don’t have to face this horrible experience alone.  Our professional and compassionate legal team will walk beside you every step of the way.  To find out more, call us for a free consultation at 651-259-1113.