Minnesota Motorcycle Season
Motorcycles are heavy during COVID-19
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an even higher level of motorcycle traffic. Many people are either working from home or unemployed and are bored because of all the closures of stores and restaurants during the stay-at-home order. This is leading people to do whatever they can to just get out of the house and motorcycling is the perfect solution. With the high level of motorcycles on the road, there has also been a higher level of accidents. Even though there have been less cars on the road during the coronavirus pandemic, it is important to remember to drive safe and cautiously during motorcycle season.
Minnesota Motorcycle Season
In Minnesota, motorcycle season is fairly short due to the long, snowy winters. However, when May rolls around, most motorcyclists are out on the roads taking advantage of every nice day. During this time, Minnesota drivers have to remember and re-learn how to share the road with motorcycles.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can be held responsible for injuries to riders?
In a motorcycle accident, anyone who contributed to the fault and cause of a motorcycle crash can be held responsible. In a typical motorcycle accident case, the driver of the vehicle is found to be at fault. However, the motorcycle driver can be held responsible as well for the injuries caused to their passenger if they are at fault for the crash.
How long do I have after my accident to file a claim?
There are different SOL’s (statutes of limitations) that reference how long you have to file your claim depending on your state. In Minnesota, a motorcycle injury case must be filed within 6 years of the accident. If the crash resulted in a death, then the case must be filed within 3 years of the accident.
Is it important to get a professional to investigate the accident right away?
After being in a motorcycle accident, it is necessary to get an investigation of the crash done right away by a professional. The reason being that insurance company will almost always try to prove that the motorcycle driver was partially at fault in order to diminish the value of the claim.
Does having motorcycle insurance or not affect the case?
Yes, having motorcycle insurance is extremely important in filing an injury claim and recovering damages. If you do not have insurance coverage, there may not be a source of money to go after to collect on an injury claim. It is extremely important for all parties to have insurance.
If I was injured in a riding accident but did not wear my helmet, is the driver still liable?
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, even if you were not wearing a helmet, an at-fault driver would still be held liable for your injuries.
What happens if I was partially at fault in my motorcycle accident?
In an accident injury claim, if you were partially at fault and contributed to the cause of the accident, you would be held partially responsible. This means that the amount of compensation that you were to receive for your damages and injuries would be reduced by your percentage of fault in the cause of the accident.
How important is it to get an experienced lawyer to help me with my motorcycle accident injury claim?
Having an attorney that has experience representing injured riders is important. An attorney can help you make sure that you receive full compensation for your injuries and are treated fairly by the insurance company. It is also important to get an attorney right away so that they can complete a full investigation of the crash and make sure that your injuries are documented correctly to make sure you are compensated fully and fairly.
Guidelines During Motorcycle Season
Motorists: watch out for motorcycles and always look twice before changing lanes or merging. Give riders more room because speed and distance are more difficult to judge due to their smaller size.
Riders: Prepare for distracted drivers and stay focused on the road and always drive defensive instead of aggressive. Make sure to wear protective gear in case an accident was to happen.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident and been injured, you should contact an experienced attorney at McEwen & Kestner right away to start your claim. Call us at 651-224-3833 or fill out our free, no-obligation contact form and receive a free legal consultation regarding your motorcycle injury claim.
