Motorcycle riders enjoy the freedom of the open road, but they also face a significant risk of injury in a crash with a larger vehicle. The impact from a passenger car or truck can have devastating consequences that affect you for the rest of your life.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s carelessness, our compassionate injury attorneys are here to help. Our team knows how to maximize the value of your accident claim. Reach out to a Glencoe motorcycle accident lawyer today.

Who Is at Fault for a Motorcycle Accident?

Determining fault is one of the most important roles of a lawyer in a Glencoe motorbike crash case. While it is natural to blame the other motorist, there may be multiple other individuals or entities who also share responsibility.

Often,  the other driver involved in the accident is at fault. Human error is the leading cause of these collisions and can take many forms. The driver may have collided with your bike due to distractions, speeding, or being under the influence of alcohol.

Other parties may also be to blame. If a mechanical defect led to your accident, you may pursue a case for compensation against the vehicle manufacturer. A thorough investigation can help determine who is ultimately responsible for your collision.

Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case

The purpose of a personal injury claim is to provide you with financial compensation for your injuries. You could recover various types of damages depending on the facts of your case. Our lawyers can guide you through the process after a motorbike collision in Glencoe.

An important aspect of these claims involves economic damages. Their purpose is to restore you to the same financial position you were in just before the crash. Some examples include compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.

Other types of damages are not as easy to calculate. These non-economic damages relate to the emotional and physical suffering that can come with a serious injury. You may be entitled to recover compensation based on your pain and suffering, scarring, or emotional distress, among other things.

Understanding Comparative Fault

In some motorcycle accidents, one party is clearly at fault. In other cases, both parties share some responsibility. Even if you are partially to blame for the collision, you may still be eligible to seek compensation.

Minnesota’s comparative fault rules govern this situation. Under Minnesota law, you can seek damages after a motorcycle accident if you are not primarily at fault. In other words, your claim is only barred if you are more to blame for the crash than the other party (i.e., if you are 51 percent at fault).

Even if you have some fault for the accident, you still may have the right to seek damages, though the comparative fault rule could limit your recovery with the court, decreasing your damages by your degree of fault. For example, if you are 10 percent responsible for an accident, there will be a 10 percent reduction to your total compensation. An attorney can advise you on how this standard may apply to your Glencoe motorcycle wreck case.

Talk to a Glencoe Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle crash, it is important that you research your legal options as soon as possible. You may qualify for damages, but only if you pursue your claim in a timely manner.

To learn how we can help, contact a Glencoe motorcycle accident lawyer at Maschka Personal Injury, based in Mankato but serving surrounding areas, today.