Minnesota’s open roads are ideal for motorcyclists. Low traffic and high speed limits make motorcycles an efficient and enjoyable mode of transportation. However, motorcycle accidents can cause serious or life-threatening injuries.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact a Slayton motorcycle accident lawyer at Maschka Personal Injury. Our personal injury attorneys can help you file a claim and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Motorcycles are an excellent mode of transportation, but they are not without their drawbacks. While motorcycles are fast, fuel-efficient, and easy to handle in traffic, they are also small, have a low profile, and provide the rider with almost no protection in the event of a crash. A helmet will protect the head (if the rider wears one), but the body will have nothing between it and the road.
Motorcycle riders can suffer traumatic injuries in a crash. Some common motorcycle injuries include:
After a motorcycle accident, a rider may need to pursue a claim for damages. A motorbike injury attorney can help the rider or their family file an insurance claim in Slayton and collect the relevant evidence necessary to ensure they receive the maximum compensation available.
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle wreck, you may be unsure about how to make a claim for damages. Our attorneys at Maschka Personal Injury have experience bringing claims for clients involved in motorcycle crashes in Slayton and across Minnesota.
Minnesota is a no-fault state for auto accidents; however, these laws do not apply to motorcycles in the same way. Riders are not required to purchase no-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, but they still have the option to do so. Often in these cases, damages are the responsibility of the at-fault driver, so the first step is filing a claim against their insurance company. If you have PIP, though, you will first file a claim with your own insurance company. However, PIP benefits are limited: they do not fully cover wage loss, and they do not cover pain and suffering. For this reason, it is essential to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver to recover the full extent of your damages.
For your claim to be successful in a claim against the other driver, you must prove that the other driver was responsible for your injuries. A compassionate attorney from our firm can help you establish fault.
Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule (Minnesota Statutes § 604.01), meaning that if you are more than 50 percent at fault for your crash, you cannot recover any damages. Therefore, proving fault is an essential component of most motorcycle accident cases.
Proving fault after a collision requires you to provide evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, accident photos, and a crash reconstruction report.
If the evidence shows you were partially responsible for the wreck, you may have your compensation reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you were 10 percent at fault, that would mean a 10 percent reduction from your award.
A Slayton motorcycle collision lawyer can help you gather this evidence and build a strong case.
If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, it is important to focus on your recovery. This may be physically, financially, or both. Minnesota law generally allows you to file a personal injury claim up to six years after your wreck, but many factors can change this deadline. A Slayton motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file your claim and collect evidence to maximize your recovery.
The team at Maschka Personal Injury is based in Mankato but serves the surrounding area. Call to arrange a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue your claim.
