If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you may have the right to seek compensation through the legal system. Claims are not always successful, however, especially in cases where a plaintiff makes mistakes.
If you have questions about the mistakes to avoid in a Mankato motorcycle accident case, now is the right time to ask them. Our dedicated injury attorneys—based in Mankato but serving surrounding areas—can advise you on the best way forward and help you navigate the legal system every step of the way. At Maschka Personal Injury, our legal team understands the challenges you face and is ready to support you as you file your claim.
Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system limits the types of available compensation following an accident. Under no-fault rules, car and truck drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and must first seek compensation through their insurance, regardless of who is responsible for the accident. This coverage is optional for motorcycle owners, and they must elect the coverage in order to access no-fault (or PIP) benefits. Consequently, many injured riders will not have the benefit of PIP coverage after they have been injured in a crash. Some motorcycle policies do have medical payments coverage, however, which is similar to no-fault and can be used to pay for some of the initial medical bills.
State law requires anyone involved in an accident to notify police immediately if there are bodily injuries, significant property damage, or death. Failure to do so is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid following a Mankato motorcycle wreck. Failing to speak with the police after a crash can suggest that you are trying to avoid responsibility and can have a negative impact on the outcome of your personal injury case.
After an accident, you should share your driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver. Beyond this, any interaction with the other party at the scene of a Mankato motorcycle crash is an error to avoid. Discussing the facts or even offering an apology for the collision can be misconstrued as an admission of fault. It is generally better to avoid speaking about the wreck.
It is also unwise to discuss the accident with the other party’s insurance carrier. Adjusters will often reach out immediately after a crash in the hopes of getting a statement. Anything you say may be taken out of context or even deliberately misconstrued in an effort to deny an insurance claim.
In the same way that talking out loud about a Mankato bike collision is a misstep to avoid, discussing it on social media is a similarly bad idea. In fact, there are a variety of online behaviors that can put a claim in jeopardy. This includes posting pictures involving physical activity that may imply you are not actually injured.
Seeking out medical care is an important part of the personal injury case process. Failing to see a doctor—even if the injuries seem minor early on—can have negative consequences. Aside from potentially leading to the unnecessary worsening of an injury, this avoidable mistake can also weaken your Mankato bike crash case by leaving the impression that your injury is not serious.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you act carefully when pursuing your claim for compensation. The days, weeks, and months after a crash can have a major impact on the future of your claim. Reach out to our local outstate Minnesota team to learn more about the mistakes to avoid in a Mankato motorcycle accident case.
