Bike accidents can occur in various locations, but they are most common in urban areas where there is a higher volume of traffic. In these areas, intersections and busy streets tend to be hotspots for bike accidents.
Cyclists need to stay vigilant, obey traffic laws, and use safety equipment like helmets and lights to reduce the risk of accidents. Unfortunately, even when a cyclist does everything right, they can be involved in a bike crash through no fault of their own, resulting in serious injury or even death.
After a bike crash in Minneapolis, the legal team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you. We have experience with bike accidents in Minneapolis and can represent you against the insurance companies to help secure a fair settlement.
What Are Some Common Types of Bike Accidents?
Accidents involving cars are unfortunately common for Minneapolis cyclists. They can happen when a driver fails to yield the right of way, turns in front of a cyclist, or doesn't see them.
Many bike accidents occur at intersections when drivers or cyclists fail to follow traffic signals or stop signs. Vehicles can rear-end cyclists if the driver doesn't pay attention or follows too closely.
Other types of bike crashes involving automobiles include:
- Dooring: Dooring is when a parked car's door is suddenly opened into the path of an oncoming cyclist, leading to a collision.
- Left hook: A left hook bike accident happens when a vehicle makes a left turn in front of an oncoming cyclist, often due to misjudging the cyclist's speed.
- Right hook: A right hook accident occurs when a vehicle turns right in front of a cyclist traveling in the same direction, often at an intersection.
- Sideswipe: In a sideswipe accident, cyclists can be struck by passing vehicles if there isn't enough space or if a driver doesn't give them sufficient clearance.
Is There a Danger of Bike Crashes on Rural Roads?
Bike accidents on rural roadways are less common compared to urban areas, but they still occur. In rural areas of Minneapolis, there are typically fewer vehicles and less congestion, which can reduce the frequency of bike accidents involving cars.
However, several factors can contribute to bike accidents on rural roads:
- Higher speeds: Rural roads often have higher speed limits, which can increase the severity of accidents if a collision does occur.
- Narrow shoulders: Many rural roads may lack designated bike lanes or have narrow shoulders, leaving cyclists with less space and making them more vulnerable to accidents.
- Limited visibility: Some rural roads may have limited visibility due to curves, hills, or dense vegetation, making it harder for drivers to spot cyclists.
- Distracted or impatient drivers: Distracted or impatient drivers in rural areas can lead to unsafe passing maneuvers around cyclists.
- Road conditions: Rural roads may not always be well-maintained, leading to potholes, gravel, or other hazards that can cause accidents.
While bike accidents on rural roads in and around Minneapolis are less common, cyclists should still take precautions, such as wearing reflective gear, using lights, and being especially cautious at intersections and areas with limited visibility. You should follow safety measures regardless of the road you're cycling on.
Bike Accidents in Minneapolis
According to the organization Toward Zero Deaths, approximately one bicyclist dies every six weeks in Minneapolis. Bike accidents are a major concern, with eight bicyclists losing their lives annually. One out of every 50 people killed in a motor vehicle crash is a bicyclist.
Toward Zero Deaths is a Minnesota traffic safety program that aims to reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Minnesota roads. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach and involves various state agencies along with local organizations to achieve its goal.
The statewide TZD program was launched in 2003 by the Minnesota Departments of Public Safety, Transportation, and Health as a deliberate, interdisciplinary approach to traffic safety.
What Types of Injuries Can Happen in a Bike Crash?
Bike crashes can result in a wide range of serious injuries.
Common injuries in bike crashes include:
- Head injuries: Head injuries are a significant concern in bike crashes, and they can range from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Wearing a helmet is crucial to reduce the risk of head injuries.
- Fractures and dislocations: Cyclists may suffer fractures (broken bones) or dislocations in various parts of the body, including the wrists, arms, collarbones, and legs.
- Road rash: Road rash occurs when the skin is scraped against the road surface, resulting in abrasions and sometimes deep wounds. Wearing appropriate clothing and protective gear can help prevent road rash.
- Soft tissue injuries: These include sprains, strains, and contusions (bruises) to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries are common in bike crashes, especially in the wrists and shoulders.
- Spinal injuries: Severe bike crashes can lead to spinal injuries, including herniated discs, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs.
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma from a bike crash can cause internal injuries, such as internal bleeding, organ damage, or punctured lungs.
- Facial injuries: Cyclists may sustain facial injuries, including fractures of the nose, jaw, or cheekbones.
- Dental injuries: Damage to teeth and dental trauma can occur in bike crashes.
- Psychological trauma: Acknowledge the potential for psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, which can result from a bike crash.
The severity of injuries can vary widely depending on factors like the speed of the collision, the use of protective gear, and the terrain. Regardless of the type of injury, seek immediate medical attention.
After a bike crash in Minneapolis, consult a healthcare professional to assess and treat your injuries, and hire a personal injury attorney to learn your legal rights if someone else's negligence caused the crash.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Bike Crash?
In a bike crash, liability (legal responsibility) can vary depending on the circumstances and applicable laws. If a motor vehicle driver's negligence, such as running a red light, failing to yield, or distracted driving, leads to a collision with a cyclist, the cyclist can hold the driver liable.
If the bike crash resulted from a hazardous road condition, such as a pothole or lack of proper signage, you can hold the government entity responsible for road maintenance liable. Similarly, if the crash occurs on private property, such as a business parking lot, and is due to a property hazard, you can hold the property owner liable.
In rare cases, pedestrians or other cyclists may contribute to a bike crash, and you can hold them liable for their negligent actions.
Determining liability in a bike crash often involves an investigation, witness statements, and legal analysis. If you're in a bike accident in Minneapolis, consult a personal injury attorney to assess your specific situation and understand your rights and potential liabilities.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Bike Accident in Minneapolis?
First of all, Minnesota operates as a no-fault insurance state, which implies that in the event of an accident, motor vehicle drivers are required to initiate insurance claims with their own insurance provider initially, regardless of fault. Even if you sustain injuries while cycling, your auto insurance, particularly your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, typically offers compensation regardless of accident fault (provided the accident involves a motor vehicle).
Only after exhausting your PIP coverage can you file a claim for additional damages by filing a personal injury claim. It is very important to talk with an experienced Minneapolis bike accident lawyer to help you navigate this process.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case. The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Minnesota gives you six years from the accident to initiate a lawsuit against the responsible party.
However, there are exceptions and nuances in the law that can affect the time limit for filing a claim. While the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Minnesota is six years, variations and shorter timeframes may apply to specific types of cases or claims against certain entities. For example, claims against government entities may have shorter deadlines.
To get accurate and up-to-date information about the statute of limitations for your bike accident case in Minneapolis or Minnesota, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. They can assess your situation and provide you with guidance on how the law applies to your case, ensuring that you take the appropriate legal action within the required timeframe.
What Damages Can You Get in a Minnesota Bike Accident Case?
In a Minnesota bike accident case, various types of damages may be available to compensate the injured party for their losses and injuries. These damages typically fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: This includes all medical costs related to the bike accident, such as hospital bills, doctor's visits, surgery, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and future medical expenses.
- Lost income: If the accident results in the inability to work, you can seek compensation for the income you lost during your recovery period. This may also include future lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, are intended to compensate you for the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
- Emotional distress: You may recover damages related to emotional or psychological trauma resulting from the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries have diminished your ability to enjoy life's activities and hobbies, you may recover compensation for this loss.
- Loss of consortium: The spouse of the injured party may recover these damages to compensate for the loss of companionship and support resulting from the injuries.
In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior. However, punitive damages are relatively rare in personal injury cases.
An experienced personal injury attorney in Minnesota can assess your bike accident case. They can determine which damages apply to your situation and maximize the compensation you receive to cover your losses and promote your recovery.
Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim in Minnesota?
If a loved one dies in a bicycle accident, you can file a wrongful death claim in Minnesota under certain circumstances. A wrongful death claim is a legal action that allows surviving family members or the estate of a deceased person to seek compensation when their loved one's death was caused by the negligence, wrongful act, or misconduct of another party.
In Minnesota, you can usually pursue a wrongful death claim when the death of an individual resulted from the negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing of another person or entity.
Minnesota law specifies who can bring a wrongful death claim. Typically, the surviving spouse, children, parents, or siblings of the deceased person may file a claim. The personal representative of the deceased person's estate can also bring a claim on behalf of the estate and the surviving family members.
Like other personal injury claims in Minnesota, wrongful death claims have a statute of limitations. In most cases, you must file the claim before the statute expires.
Wrongful death damages may include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills related to the final injury or illness, loss of the deceased person's earnings and support, loss of companionship, and other economic and non-economic losses suffered by surviving family members.
Consult an experienced attorney who focuses on wrongful death if you believe you have a valid claim. They can guide you through the legal process, identify the liable party, and seek the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for your Bike Accident Claim?
The legal team at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers has decades of combined experience representing clients in the Midwest. With more than 20 offices throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota, our lawyers are your friends and neighbors. We know the area and the community and take your personal injury claim personally. If you are injured in a bike accident in Minneapolis, Get Nicolet. We can take it from there.
A serious injury can bring everyday life to a standstill, while medical bills and expenses don't take a break. Let us help you regain your peace of mind by working to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.
Our personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis know how to work with insurance companies and other liable parties to make sure you get the best settlement possible. Contact us today for your free case evaluation. In Minneapolis, you can find us at 43 SE Main Street, Suite #500. Call us directly at (612) 446-3999 or fill out our consultation form online. We're ready to help you.