Common Motorcycle Crash Issues In Minneapolis
Statistically, motorcycle riders are twenty-nine times more likely to die in crashes than vehicle occupants. Even if the rider survives, these incidents often cause permanent injury. As a result, motorcycle crash victims are often entitled to substantial compensation.
However, this compensation is not easy to obtain. A combination of legal obstacles and juror prejudice often complicates these matters. To level the playing field, victims need experienced motorcycle crash attorneys who fight for fair compensation during pretrial negotiations and at trial.
Motorcycle Crash Injuries in Minnesota
There are several reasons the fatality rate in Minneapolis motorcycle crashes is so high. These accidents usually involve a great deal of force. The tortfeasor (negligent driver) often does not maintain a proper lookout. So, s/he is travelling at full speed at the moment of impact. This impact usually throws the rider off the bike. That combination leads to serious injuries like:
- Broken Bones: Many riders are thrown fifty feet or more. When they land, the impact often splinters their bones. These severe fractures usually require metal pins or plates during surgery. When the metal comes out, the victims face extended physical rehabilitation and possibly permanent injury as well.
- Internal Injuries: The same force that shatters bones often causes internal organs to grind against each other. These internal abrasions often cause profuse bleeding that continues unchecked for quite some time.
- Head Injuries: Just like car crash victims often suffer from whiplash and other head/neck injuries, the force in a motorcycle crash is often sufficient to cause head injuries, even if there is no trauma wound.
If the victim sustained a serious injury, damages include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, including pain and suffering.
Contributory Negligence in Minnesota Motorcycle Crash Cases
Comparative fault is probably the most common insurance company defense in vehicle collision cases. For example, insurance company lawyers might argue that the tortfeasor did not see the motorcyclist because the rider was weaving in and out of traffic. Minnesota juries often take these arguments to heart because of the motorcycle prejudice.
Like many other forms of prejudice, the motorcycle prejudice is weaker than it once was but it’s still very real. Many jurors believe that motorcycle riders are reckless thugs who disregard traffic laws in order to show off.
An attorney must be aware of this prejudice and work to defuse it. The best time may be during jury selection. That’s the only chance that a lawyer has to directly interact with the jury. Jurors with particularly strong motorcycle prejudices can usually be removed. Those with less-intense feelings can usually be reasoned with.
Minnesota is a modified comparative fault state with a 51 percent bar. For the victim to receive a proportional share of damages, the tortfeasor must be at least 51 percent responsible for the vehicle collision.
Reach Out to an Aggressive Attorney
Motorcycle crashes involve unique factual and legal questions. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Minnesota, contact the Gunther Law Office. We do not charge upfront legal fees in negligence cases.
Resource:
iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/motorcycles/fatalityfacts/motorcycles
