A motorcycle can be a fun and efficient way to get around, but motorcyclists can run into serious risks when riding. A collision on a motorcycle can be deadly, especially at high speeds and with large vehicles involved.
If you were hurt in a collision involving a motorcycle, let a Mankato motorcycle accident lawyer from Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz Law Firm advocate for you. With an understanding personal injury attorney’s assistance and legal expertise, we can help you bring a compensation claim based on your injuries.
Riding a motorcycle can be faster and more enjoyable than a typical car, but it comes with less protection. A helmet can help prevent the worst head trauma, but the rest of the body becomes susceptible to sudden impacts without the protection of an enclosed cab, such as the force of another vehicle hitting the bike or the force of the ground after a rider has been thrown into the air.
Because of this lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries and can endanger a person’s life. Traumatic brain injuries can come from a motorcycle accident, even with a proper helmet, and spinal cord damage can cause paralysis or loss of motor function. Internal organs, bones, and muscles can all be at risk, depending on what takes the brunt of an impact. More superficial injuries, such as road rash, cuts, and bruises, can also follow a motorcycle accident, running the risk of infection and even disfigurement.
The causes of motorcycle accidents can vary from the actions of other drivers to hazardous road conditions. For example, another driver could be distracted or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Excessive speed and aggressive driving can also cause a motorcycle accident. In some instances, defective motorcycle parts could be to blame. Whatever the cause, a Mankato attorney can help a person prove what happened and hold the at-fault party responsible for the motorcycle wreck.
After a motorcycle accident, a person should seek medical attention, even if they feel all right. Then, they should seek legal advice on making a claim for their injuries. Minnesota state law creates a statute of limitations of only six years for personal injury lawsuits, as detailed in Minnesota Statutes § 541.05(5). If a person does not move quickly enough to file a claim, they could lose their legal right to compensation.
An injured person’s claim will likely be based on negligence, the legal concept of one person’s unreasonable behavior causing injuries to another. Negligence requires proving four elements:
In addition to proving the other person’s negligence, a person might also need to show they did not cause their own injuries in a motorcycle accident. Minnesota’s system of assigning fault for injuries, created by Minn. Stat. § 604.01, can attribute responsibility to the person who is bringing a claim, reducing their compensation proportionally. They might lose all compensation when they are more than 50 percent responsible for the collision.
A Mankato attorney can help a person to navigate the process of bringing a compensation claim for a motorcycle accident, from documenting their injuries and damages to gathering evidence of fault and negligence.
You do not have to figure out what to do in the wake of a motorcycle accident alone. With the aid of a Mankato motorcycle accident lawyer, you can get compensation from the responsible party.
Our experienced attorneys can help you after a motorcycle accident. Call our offices for a free consultation on your case and for the support and understanding we can offer.
