Minnesota motorcycle accidents send thousands of riders to emergency rooms across the state each year. If you get involved in a motorcycle accident in Minnesota, it’s important to know what steps to take and what to do next to help your physical recovery and potential legal claim. When in doubt, contact an experienced Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer early on for assistance.
Get Medical Attention
Motorcycle accidents are frequently connected to serious and catastrophic injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, road rash and internal injuries. After a motorcycle crash, you should always go to the closest hospital for a physical assessment and professional medical care. Keep careful documentation of your injuries and treatments.
Involve the Police
Motorcycle accidents are almost always serious enough to require reporting in Minnesota. Don’t let the other driver convince you to leave the police out of it or pay you “under the table” without insurance involvement. These crucial mistakes could jeopardize your financial future.
Instead, call 911 immediately from the scene of your motorcycle wreck. Explain what happened, but don’t admit fault. Write down your police report number so that you can get a copy later to submit with your insurance claim.
Gather Evidence
Key evidence to support your motorcycle accident case can often be found right at the scene of the crash. If you can, take pictures of the scene, being sure to capture any important traffic signs, road markings, property damage and injuries.
Gather contact information from eyewitnesses. Search for GoPro, dashcam or security camera footage of the collision. Once you leave the scene, take your motorcycle to an auto mechanic for an estimate of repairs. If the shop says your bike is a total loss, you may be eligible for insurance coverage that pays you for the full pre-crash value of your motorcycle.
File Your Insurance Claim
Minnesota uses a unique no-fault insurance law to determine who pays for automobile accidents, but motorcycle riders are excluded from this rule. When a motorcycle gets injured in a traffic accident, Minnesota law permits the injured rider to seek financial compensation or damages from the at-fault party.
Compensation can cover:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
To receive financial benefits from another driver’s car insurance provider, you will have to prove fault. This requires evidence that demonstrates that the defendant (accused party) more likely than not caused your motorcycle crash.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Before Settling
As a motorcyclist, you may suffer life-altering injuries in a traffic accident. It’s important not to handle the claims process alone. A personal injury attorney in Minnesota can help you prove your injury claim, establish your serious injuries and related damages, and seek fair financial compensation for the full extent of your losses.
A lawyer can pursue a maximum settlement or judgment award on your behalf in or out of the courtroom. This includes going up against an insurer that may try to blame you for the accident or harbor unfair biases against motorcyclists.
The lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC offer free motorcycle accident case reviews. Contact us without delay if you’ve recently been hurt in a motorcycle crash in Minnesota. We can guide you through all the steps you need to take after your accident.