Maple Grove Motorcycle Accidents

Maple Grove Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Riding a motorcycle is a thrill. The wind in your face and the control of the bike can be liberating and exciting. It is also an extremely economical means of travel. With these benefits, it is no wonder that millions of people hop on a bike every year. In fact, in 2021, there were 8.6 million motorcycles registered for use in the United States. However, even with all of the benefits, riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, and some of those dangers are unavoidable. Wearing a helmet or other protective gear can only help so much. Contact our Maple Grove legal team at 952-545-2700 or use our online contact form for assistance if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident.

Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Motorcycle Accident in Maple Grove, Minnesota

Motorcycle accidents can be severe and life-threatening. As a result, the most important thing you can do after a motorcycle crash is to ensure that you are safe.

Seek Medical Attention

If you have been involved in a Maple Grove motorcycle accident, getting medical attention is critical. It is generally a good idea to err on the side of getting medical attention even if you do not think you need it. In some cases, moving quickly and getting medical care can mean the difference between life and death. Quick action can also occasionally decrease or prevent severely disabling injuries.

Call the Police

Minnesota law requires that certain accidents be reported to the police. Not only is reporting often a requirement, but it is also a good idea. The police can help facilitate the required exchange of information between drivers. Their report is also helpful in investigating and determining the cause of the crash, which is helpful for any personal injury case.

Exchange Information

Exchanging information with the other driver allows you to have the data you need to assert a claim against an at-fault driver. It also can assist police in finding and citing drivers who do not obey the law.

Gather Evidence

The information that you can gather after an accident can be invaluable. For instance, you may want to determine who might have seen the accident nearby and what they saw. Taking photos of the damage and the scene around the crash can also be helpful in determining what might have caused the accident and whether the other driver took appropriate action to avoid the crash.

Hire an Attorney

A Maple Grove motorcycle accident lawyer can be extremely helpful in investigating the cause of the crash. They can also help explain your legal options after a motorcycle accident in Maple Grove or the surrounding areas. Once you understand your legal rights and options, a motorcycle accident attorney will help you assert your claim against an at-fault driver.

To get started with your case, contact our team for a free consultation today. We offer virtual meetings so you can connect with us from the comfort of your own home.

Pain After a Motorcycle Accident

Because there is little between you and the road while riding a motorcycle, pain is extremely common after a motorcycle accident. This pain occurs even if you suffered no specific injury. It can manifest as soreness or stiff movements. You might also suffer from road rash.

Road rash is extremely common after a motorcycle accident. It is the result of the skin contacting the surface of the road at high speed, much like a rug or carpet burn. The most common areas where road rash occurs are the legs, arms, back, and midsection. These areas will often drag along the road if a rider is thrown from their motorcycle.

Road rash can be very severe and require skin grafts. It may lead to permanent scarring as well, especially because it is prone to infection and can take a long time to fully heal. More minor cases of road rash will often heal in a few weeks.

Common Injuries Sustained from Motorcycle Accidents

Injuries caused by a motorcycle accident can be severe. Some of the most common injuries that riders might experience include the following.

Broken Bones

Hitting the pavement hard because of a crash can result in bone fractures. The most common areas are the arms and legs. The motorcycle may fall on top of the rider as well, which can result in severe injuries to the legs and feet.

Spinal Injuries

Your back is extremely important to your function, but it is also somewhat fragile. Even a minor motorcycle accident can push your vertebrae out of alignment and cause pain and restricted movement for years to come. In more serious cases, spinal injuries can lead to loss of function and loss of feeling in some parts of the body due to nerve damage.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when there is severe damage to the brain. That damage could include a direct, hard impact, or it could occur because of the brain hitting the inside of the skull. TBIs occur less frequently if the motorcycle rider is wearing a helmet.

Wrongful Death

Getting medical attention is extremely important after a motorcycle accident because fatalities are somewhat common. Motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles and under 1% of all miles traveled in the United States, but they account for 14% of traffic fatalities. They also account for 17% of occupant fatalities and 3% of occupant injuries as of 2021.

Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle in Maple Grove

Motorcycle riders have a lot of dangers that they need to consider every time they get on the bike. Many of these dangers are unavoidable, but some can be minimized with defensive driving and careful maneuvering.

Other Vehicles

Motorcycles are smaller vehicles, so they can be harder to see. Other drivers are not always on the lookout for motorcycles.

Speed

Accidents that occur at higher speeds are more likely to be severe. Speed is especially critical for motorcycles because it can be easy to accidentally take a turn too quickly and lose control of the bike. New riders are especially prone to taking corners too fast, which can lead to a crash. This is particularly true if a rider is on a gravel road or if there is debris in the road.

Terrain

Traveling on most road surfaces in a car is not very different. However, even minor differences in the road can cause a motorcyclist to lose control in some situations. Wet surfaces, gravel, or standing water can all be serious hazards for motorcyclists.

Determining Fault in a Maple Grove Motorcycle Accident

The driver who is at fault for a Maple Grove motorcycle accident is the person who is most to blame for the occurrence of the accident. In motorcycle crashes, the other driver involved is often the one at fault for many reasons. The most common reason, however, is that the other driver simply did not see the motorcycle. Making a left-hand turn in front of a motorcycle or pulling out in front of a motorcycle occurs frequently and leads to serious accidents.

Maple Grove follows Minnesota’s no-fault laws. That means that when an accident occurs, you look to your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance before seeking reimbursement from the at-fault driver. PIP insurance will pay motorists for out-of-pocket medical bills and lost wages. In wrongful death cases, it will also cover funeral expenses. However, it does not cover things like pain and suffering and emotional distress, and Maple Grove car accident victims must look to personal injury law for recovery.

No-Fault Laws for Motorcycles in Maple Grove, Minnesota

Every driver must purchase PIP insurance in Minnesota. However, what some motorcyclists do not realize is that they often need to purchase additional coverage for their bikes because most no-fault coverage policies do not come with insurance for motorcycles. It must be requested. As a result, anyone who owns a motorcycle should check their coverage to be sure PIP insurance will be available in case a crash occurs.

Motorcyclists in Minnesota are required to carry liability insurance. They are also required by law to have a permit or endorsement and register their bike. Minnesota requires helmets for any rider under the age of 18, even if they are just a passenger. While helmets are not required for those over the age of 18, they are a good idea.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Motorcycle Claim in Maple Grove, Minnesota?

Every motor vehicle accident case is different, so the timeline to settle a case can vary a great deal. In some situations, a settlement offer might be provided by the at-fault driver’s insurance company very quickly. However, that first, quick settlement offer might not be the best option for your situation. It often takes time to determine the full extent of your injuries and damage after a crash, so waiting until you have healed a bit more before settlement can be a good idea.

Should You Hire an Attorney After a Maple Grove Motorcycle Accident?

Having an attorney help with your case can be very beneficial. They can deal with an insurance company and other legal aspects of your case so you can focus on healing and getting back on your feet after a crash. Because motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries, you should take this time to rest and recover. Your Maple Grove motorcycle lawyer will investigate your claim and help you fully understand and realize your damages.

Why Choose Kirshbaum Injury Law?

Kirshbaum Injury Law has an experienced legal team that knows the ins and outs of motorcycle accidents in Minnesota. Our law office can help you understand your legal rights, and we are motorcycle accident lawyers who can help you protect and assert those rights.

Dedicated

Our Maple Grove personal injury attorneys work with you closely throughout the case. We walk beside you while you deal with everything related to the accident, from being unable to work to negotiating with the insurance company. We help give you a voice in an uncertain time.

Strategic

Every case is different. That means that every approach to getting the best results must be different as well. We work with you to create a plan to obtain the results you need. Car accidents, truck accidents, and personal injury are our main practice areas, so our Minnesota personal injury lawyers know which strategies have worked in the past to help victims receive fair compensation to address their injury claims.

Experienced

We have over 80 years of combined experience helping personal injury victims with car accidents and motorcycle crashes in Minnesota. We put that experience to work for every client, whether that means asserting your claims in court or negotiating with an insurance company.

Motorcycle Crashes Can be Painful. Let Our Legal Team Assist You.

Call today for more information about our legal services and to get tailored legal advice for your situation. We offer free consultations virtually so you can learn more about our team and address your legal issues without having to traverse across town. Our Minnesota law firm serves the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis as well as the surrounding areas, including Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Edina, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Woodbury, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Golden Valley, and Roseville.