Northfield is the starting and ending point for several scenic motorcycle routes in the region, giving those who love to ride the fresh air and freedom they crave. Unfortunately, any public roadway can be the scene of a motorcycle collision caused by the negligence of another roadway user, such as the driver of a passenger car or even a commercial truck. While Minnesota is a no-fault state that requires the drivers of most motor vehicles to carry personal injury protection insurance coverage, motorcyclists are exempt from this requirement and often must seek compensation for their injuries from the liability coverage of the at-fault party’s auto insurance policy.
A Northfield motorcycle accident lawyer from Maschka Personal Injury can provide more information about the claims process and may even be able to provide services to assist those who have been injured as they seek the compensation they need. Let our experienced personal injury attorneys help you seek the compensation you need to recover from the accident.
When a motorcyclist has been injured, they generally have six years from the date of the injury to pursue compensation for the financial and psychological costs they endured as a result of the accident. While this seems like a long time, claimants may need this length of time to reach maximum medical improvement so that an accurate value to their claim can be established. A lawyer values the Northfield motorcycle crash claim based not only on the costs that were incurred, but also on other factors such as the presence of permanent injuries and the degree of the at-fault party’s negligence.
To have a successful third-party motorcycle accident claim, the claimant must be able to show that the at-fault driver acted negligently. For example, they could have failed to take reasonable actions to avoid causing harm, such as violating traffic laws involving speed, distractions, impairment, and proper driving techniques. The claim must also demonstrate the expenses and emotional hardships experienced by the injured party.
When the insurance company receives the claim, it can either choose to accept or deny the liability of its insured. If they accept liability, they generally will make a settlement offer on the claim. If the settlement does not fairly compensate the injured motorcyclist, the injured party can bring a lawsuit.
Riders and their passengers who are injured in accidents caused by another party’s negligence can seek to recover economic damages through their claim. What this means is they can seek repayment of the costs they incurred due to the wreck, such as medical expenses, obtaining modifications to their home to accommodate disabilities stemming from the crash, and replacement of wages that were lost when the rider was too injured to work. In some cases, the claimant can also seek to recover future medical expenses and permanent loss of earning capacity caused by accident injuries.
As anyone who has been injured in a motorcycle collision can tell you, not all of the costs of injuries are financial. Motorcycle crash injuries can create significant impacts on all areas of the injured rider’s life, including their ability to live without pain or to participate in activities they previously enjoyed. These are known as non-economic damages, and a motorbike collision attorney can also help you seek compensation for these impacts in Northfield.
The injuries incurred in motorcycle wrecks are often severe, leaving the rider or passenger with long-lasting physical and psychological impacts. Contact a Northfield motorcycle accident lawyer from Maschka Personal Injury to learn more about your legal options and the services we can provide to assist you with your claim. Our attorneys are based in Mankato and serve the surrounding areas.
