Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents are often devasting experiences that may leave a victim with severe and life-threatening injuries. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be just as traumatic with costly medical expenses that may add to the stress of the recovery process.
At TSR Injury Law, our Bloomington motorcycle accident attorneys understand the difficulties that injured riders and their families may face after a crash and we welcome the opportunity to discuss your claim with us during a free, no obligation consultation. Our firm has recovered $300 million in compensation for our clients, including a $2.8 million recovery obtained by partner Chuck Slane, on behalf of two victims that underwent multiple surgeries to repair several broken bones after being involved in a motorcycle accident.
Contact us today for your free consultation, so that we can discuss your possible legal options. We are available 24/7 to take your call or chat online and there are no upfront fees if we handle your case.
Call us at (612) TSR-TIME or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form.
Am I Eligible to File a Case?
You may be eligible to file a case if it can be established that the at-fault party was negligent in his or her actions and those actions caused you to suffer an injury. In order to do so, the following four elements of negligence must be established:
- Duty of care – You must show that the driver responsible for the accident had a legal obligation to act reasonably in a way that would protect themselves and others from harm.
- Breach of duty of care – You must show that the at-fault party failed to uphold his or her legal obligation and caused you harm by not acting in a manner that a reasonable person would have done in a similar situation.
- Causation – You must show that there is a direct link between the at-fault party’s negligent actions and your injuries. Had he or she not breached the duty of care, then you would not have been harmed. Medical records and police reports can be used to prove this element.
- Damages – You must show that you suffered damages as a result of your injuries such as medical expenses, lost wages or property damage.
If you think that your situation meets this criteria, then you may have a case. The best way to know if you do is to reach out to a lawyer from our firm to understand the best course of action to take.
How Much is My Case Worth?
The value of your case will depend on the severity of your injuries and your expected recovery time. Many motorcycle accidents result in serious and debilitating injuries that may put a victim in a tough financial position with costly medical bills and loss of wages from missing time at work to recover.
If our legal team can determine that you have a case, we will work hard to pursue compensation for the losses you experienced as a result of the accident. This may include the following damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the losses that have a monetary value and can be proven with supportive documentation. These may include:
- Past, current and future medical bills
- Lost wages or benefits
- Loss of earning capacity
- Surgical costs
- Medical transportation services
- Medical assistive equipment
- Prescription medication costs
- Bike repairment or replacement costs
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are for the emotional, non-monetary losses you have suffered. These may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of reputation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In Minnesota, there are no caps or limits on the amount of damages we may be able to help you recover. Our licensed Bloomington motorcycle accident attorneys are prepared use all of our resources to pursue the maximum amount of compensation that may be available for your case.
Call (612) TSR-TIME to schedule your 100 percent free consultation.
Is There a Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
If you are looking to obtain compensation for your damages, it is generally a wise decision to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Many personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents, must generally be filed within just two years from the date of the crash. This deadline is determined by Minnesota’s personal injury statute of limitations.
However, there can be exceptions to this rule. The deadline may depend on the particulars of your situation and in some instances, you may be required to file before or even after the two-year deadline. Our firm is prepared to answer any questions you have about the statute of limitations. We are here to help.
Does Not Wearing a Helmet Change the Outcome of My Case?
Most motorcycle injuries can be much less severe with the right protection. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), helmets are proven to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatalities to motorcyclists.
However, in Minnesota, motorcyclists over the age of 18 with a valid motorcycle license are not required to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle. This means that even if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, you are still eligible to receive financial compensation for the damages you have suffered.
To learn more about your legal options, we recommend that you reach out to our firm. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have about the claims process.
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Minnesota
Unlike other states, Minnesota has strict laws in place regarding insurance coverage. All drivers must purchase motorcycle liability insurance, as well as underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.
Liability insurance helps cover the costs of the other driver’s property and bodily injuries if you are found at fault in the accident. The minimum amount of coverage required is at least:
- $30,000 for injuries to one person per accident
- $60,000 for injuries to two or more people per accident
- $10,000 for any property damage
Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage helps cover the costs of medical expenses if the other driver is responsible for the accident but does not have the right amount of insurance coverage or has no insurance. The minimum requirements for this coverage is at least:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person per accident
- $50,000 for injuries to two or more people per accident
Our knowledgeable Bloomington motorcycle accident lawyers can review your policy and the other driver’s policy to determine potential options for pursuing compensation. We understand the insurance requirements involved in these cases and will work hard to get your claim approved.
Need legal help? Complete our Free Case Evaluation form.
What Are “No Contact” Motorcycle Accidents?
If a negligent driver caused you to crash without actually colliding with his or her vehicle, this is known as a “no contact” motorcycle accident.
For example, say that a motorcyclist and a motorist are traveling in two separate lanes. The driver of the car is slightly ahead in another lane and decides to switch into the lane that is occupied by the motorcyclist without signaling or giving the proper amount of time to make that shift. This causes the motorcyclist to swiftly swerve and lose control of his or her bike, inevitably causing an accident.
Although there was no direct contact with the other vehicle in this situation, the motorist involved may still be found negligent for failing to signal.
Injury Claims For Crashes Caused by Road Conditions
While some collisions are caused by one or more negligent drivers, other causes of motorcycle accidents may actually be the fault of the state, city, or county. This may be the case when poor road conditions contribute to – or cause – an accident. Examples of road damage that may cause an accident include:
- Potholes
- Failure to snowplow
- Failure to de-ice roadways
- Missing guardrails
These types of accidents are complex as different government agencies may be responsible for maintaining road conditions. Once it is determined who is responsible for maintaining the road, you will need to show that the agency was negligent in their task to keep the road safe.
That is why is it important to hire the right legal team to walk you through this process. At TSR Injury Law, if we determine that you have a valid case, we will work diligently to hold the liable party responsible for your motorcycle accident.
Call us today to speak to an experienced lawyer at (612) TSR-TIME.
Why Motorcycle Accidents happen
The majority of motorcycle accidents our lawyers at TSR Injury Law has experience handling are the result of a driver’s negligent actions. Examples of this range from the following:
- Cutting off a motorcyclist at an intersection
- Swerving in front of motorcyclist
- Speeding or driving recklessly
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to check blind spots
- Failing to signal
- Following a motorcyclist too closely
- Failing to follow traffic laws
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
Crashes involving motorcycles often lead to catastrophic injuries due to the fact the motorcyclists have little protection against larger, heavier vehicles. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Cuts and lacerations
- Road rash
- Wrist injuries
- Death
Our dedicated Bloomington motorcycle accident attorneys will work hard to try to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf if we determine that you have a case and you decide to move forward.
Feel free to contact us today to discuss your possible legal options.
Seek Help From a Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At TSR Injury Law, we understand how life-altering motorcycle accidents can be. That is why we are dedicated to making sure that our client’s rights are being protected every step of the way.
If you have a valid case and we represent you, our Bloomington motorcycle accident lawyers will offer you the resources we have to build a strong case to help recover the damages being sought in the lawsuit. We can also handle all of the communication between the insurance companies to obtain a fair settlement on your behalf.
We are available 24/7 over the phone or online and our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no upfront fees involved. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for your case.
You can call us or stop by our office located at 7760 France Ave South, Suite 820, which is just 12 minutes from the Bloomington Motor Vehicle Office.
Contact our office today by calling (612) TSR-TIME.