Per mile traveled, motorcyclists are almost 5 times more likely than passenger car occupants to be injured in a crash, according to NHTSA. Minnesota treats riders differently from people in cars: your auto policy’s no-fault benefits do not cover you on a motorcycle (Minn. Stat. § 65B.48, subd. 5).
Our Minneapolis-area office handles motorcycle accident claims for riders and passengers hurt in the city and the surrounding area. We work on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Minnesota Insurance Rules for Motorcycle Riders
Minnesota’s no-fault law excludes motorcycles from its definition of a motor vehicle (Minn. Stat. § 65B.43, subd. 2). Injuries suffered while on, getting on or getting off a motorcycle are not treated as arising from the use of a motor vehicle, even when a car is involved in the crash (Minn. Stat. § 65B.46, subd. 3).
Insurers must tell people applying for motorcycle insurance without personal injury protection that no personal injury protection from an auto policy they have will extend to a motorcycle accident (Minn. Stat. § 65B.48, subd. 5).
Every owner of a motorcycle registered in Minnesota must carry liability coverage for injuries the motorcycle causes to others (Minn. Stat. § 65B.48, subd. 5). A Minnesota motorcycle policy must provide liability coverage, and the law does not require it to include personal injury protection for the rider (Minn. Stat. § 65B.48, subd. 5).
If a motorcycle hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian does have a right to no-fault benefits (Minn. Stat. § 65B.46, subd. 1).
Fault, Deadlines and Riding Rules
When the Other Side Blames You
Being partly at fault does not automatically end a Minnesota claim. You can recover if your share of fault is not greater than the share of the person you are claiming against, and your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault (Minn. Stat. § 604.01, subd. 1). That means a person found 50 percent at fault can still recover.
How Long You Have to File
A statute of limitations is the legal deadline to file a lawsuit. For most injuries caused by someone’s negligence, Minnesota applies a 6-year deadline (Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(5)). The right deadline depends on the type of claim, and some notice deadlines are much shorter, so do not wait to call.
If a crash takes someone’s life, a wrongful death claim generally must be started within 3 years after the death, and no more than 6 years after the act that caused it (Minn. Stat. § 573.02, subd. 1).
If a city bus, county vehicle or other public vehicle or property was involved, Minnesota generally requires written notice of the claim within 180 days after the injury is discovered (Minn. Stat. § 466.05; § 3.736, subd. 5). Recovery in those claims is capped at $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009, and punitive damages are not allowed (Minn. Stat. § 466.04; § 3.736, subd. 3 and 4).
Helmets and Eye Protection
Minnesota requires a helmet for anyone under 18 operating or riding a motorcycle and for riders with an instruction permit, and every operator must wear eye protection (Minn. Stat. § 169.974, subd. 2 and 4). Adults with a full motorcycle endorsement are not required to wear a helmet.
Your Right to the Lane
Minnesota law says no motor vehicle may be driven in a way that deprives a motorcycle of the full use of a traffic lane (Minn. Stat. § 169.974, subd. 5). Lane filtering is legal within limits: a rider may pass in the same lane at no more than 25 miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic, but not in roundabouts, school zones, single-lane work zones or queued on-ramps (Minn. Stat. § 169.974, subd. 5). Riders must keep the headlight on at all times (Minn. Stat. § 169.974, subd. 5).
How Motorcycle Crashes Happen
Left Turns in Front of a Rider
Minnesota law requires a driver turning left to yield to oncoming vehicles, including motorcycles, that are in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard (Minn. Stat. § 169.20, subd. 2).
Unsafe Lane Changes
Minnesota law says a driver may not change lanes until the move can be made safely (Minn. Stat. § 169.18, subd. 7).
Tai nạn va chạm từ phía sau
Minnesota law bars a driver from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, given the speed, traffic and road conditions (Minn. Stat. § 169.18, subd. 8).
Các mối nguy hiểm trên đường
NHTSA advises riders to be ready for hazards such as slick roads, potholes and road debris.
Injuries and the Losses We Document
When we build a claim, we document what the crash has cost you, including:
- Medical bills, from emergency care to future treatment and therapy
- Income lost while you recover
- Reduced earning ability if you cannot return to the same work
- Effects on your daily life, family and the activities you enjoyed
- Damage to your vehicle and other property
Punitive damages, which punish rather than compensate, are allowed only on clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with deliberate disregard for the rights or safety of others (Minn. Stat. § 549.20, subd. 1). They are not available in every case.
For more on serious injuries, see our pages on brain injury claims and spinal cord injury claims.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Minneapolis
- Call 911 and get medical care, even if you can stand and walk
- Photograph the bike, the other vehicle, the road surface and your gear
- Get the other driver’s name, plate number and insurance details
- Get names and phone numbers from witnesses
- Keep your helmet, jacket and other gear as they are, without cleaning or repairing them
- Avoid recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer
- Keep every bill, receipt and pay stub related to the crash
- Call 844-SEE-MIKE before you sign anything or accept a settlement
How 844-SEE-MIKE Helps After a Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident
When you call 844-SEE-MIKE, you talk with our team about what happened, and there is no cost to find out where you stand. If we take your case, we negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and gather the records and evidence for your claim.
- Free consultation, available 24/7
- No fee unless we recover money for you
Các câu hỏi thường gặp
What if the driver says they never saw me?
According to NHTSA, most multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes happen when other drivers simply do not see the motorcyclist.
Should I get my bike repaired right away?
Not before it is documented. Take photos, and talk with us before repairs or a salvage sale.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?
Be cautious. Talk with us before you accept an offer or sign a release.
How long does a motorcycle accident case take?
Many injury cases settle without a trial.
Hurt in a different kind of crash? Learn about car accident claims or return to our Minneapolis personal injury overview.
If you or someone you love was hurt in Minneapolis, contact 844-SEE-MIKE anytime for a free, no-pressure consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
This information is general and is not legal advice. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
