Motorcycle Accidents

Five East Center St.
Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904

Phone: 507-281-0000
Toll free: 800-552-5528
Fax: 507-281-4427

Call us now or use the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions about Motorcycle Accidents

Q: What am I entitled to receive for my injuries?

A: Every case is different. The exact type of compensation and the amount you might receive depend on your individual situation. For example, the amount you receive will vary depending upon how severely you were injured, whether you are working and what type of job you have, if your injuries are permanent, if you are married, and numerous other factors.

As a general rule, you are entitled to recover for any of the following expenses:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Future medical expenses
Probable loss of wages in the future
Property damage
Loss of relationship with your spouse
Other out-of-pocket expenses due to your injuries

In some cases, in which the other party's conduct was unusually bad, you may be able to recover punitive damages.

Q: Is compensation automatic?

A: The types of compensation listed above are not automatically awarded in every case. It is up to you to prove what expenses you have incurred, or will incur in the future, and how much those expenses were or will be.

Especially where accidents involving motorcycles are concerned, a car making a left turn is almost always liable for a collision with a vehicle coming straight in the other direction.

When a car tangles with a motorcycle, the cyclist usually loses. The vast majority of the time the accident is not the fault of the cyclist but he or she now faces an uphill battle to recover both health and finances. Lost wages, medical expenses, and rehabilitation: You need a competent attorney who specializes in personal injury law to help you get compensation for these losses.

Jim Suk of Suk Law Firm is a Minnesota State Bar Association board-certified civil trial specialist focusing on personal injury law. Since 2001, he's been named one of Minnesota's "Super Lawyers" in personal injury by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

We invite you to contact us to schedule a FREE initial consultation to discuss your case.

Motorcycle Accidents - An Overview

Motorcycle riders are in a unique position on the road. They enjoy the freedoms that come with their chosen form of transportation, but they are also left exposed to dangers not faced by automobile drivers and other motorists. The lack of any substantial protective barriers between a motorcycle and the road, as well as the difficulty that motorists may experience in anticipating and seeing a motorcycle, leave riders prone to serious injury in the event of an accident. Motorcycle riders, therefore, must be aware of their legal rights and remedies if they are involved in a traffic accident.

The insurance laws in your state may be very different with respect to motorcycles versus automobiles; consequently, it is very important to consult with an attorney regarding the applicable laws in your state. An attorney experienced in handling motorcycle-related claims will be able to advise you.

What to Do if You Are Injured in an Accident

A motorcycle accident is a serious matter. You may have been seriously injured, and even if you have not been injured very badly, you probably got a real scare out of the accident. You may wonder what you should do next.

What follows is a general guide to what you should do immediately after a motorcycle accident. Your insurance policy may set out additional or alternative instructions. You need to follow those instructions or your claim for coverage may be denied. In addition, an attorney experienced in handling motorcycle related claims will be able to advise you.

Recalls

One of the most common vehicle defect issues faced by the public is that of safety recalls of motor vehicles, including motorcycles. Safety recalls are usually instigated by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the vehicle manufacturers themselves, in response to a discovered defect in a vehicle or a component of a vehicle. Thus, it is important to understand the procedure that is followed in vehicle recalls, and the respective responsibilities of those involved.

Helmet Laws

A helmet is by far the most important and most effective piece of protective equipment a motorcycle driver or passenger can wear. Helmets save lives by reducing the extent of head injuries in the event of a traffic accident. A helmetless motorcyclist involved in an accident is three times as likely to suffer a brain injury as a motorcyclist wearing a helmet.

Motorcycle Accidents Resource Links

American Motorcyclists Association
A member organization pursuing, protecting and promoting the interests of motorcycle enthusiasts.

Bikers Rights Online
Devoted to motorcycle riders' rights, this site includes articles, studies, and a Helmet Law Review searchable by state.

"The Hurt Report" AKA "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures"
A groundbreaking and influential 1981 study of factors that cause motorcycle accidents and injuries.

Reduce your car’s blind spots to reduce lane-change accidents.

Lean your head against driver’s side window and adjust left-side mirror so you see as little of left side of car as possible.
Lean head to center of car and adjust right mirror so you see as little of right side of car as possible.

You should be able to see the car in your side-view mirror just as it leaves your rear view mirror.

At Suk Law Firm, we provide courtroom representation and legal advice to the people of Rochester and southeastern Minnesota, including those in the communities of Austin, Winona, Owatonna, Albert Lea, Caledonia, and Red Wing, and throughout Olmsted, Plainview, Wabasha, Lake City, Winona, Houston, Goodhue, Fillmore, Mower, Dodge, and Steele counties.

Motorcycle Accident Information Center