Motorcycle accidents frequently occur across Minnesota, Rochester included. Often, these accidents result in debilitating injuries and fatalities because of the vulnerability of motorcyclists, and many accidents result from negligence on the part of other parties. After a motorcycle accident in Rochester caused by another party's negligence, you may recover compensation with the help of a knowledgeable Rochester motorcycle accident lawyer.
The Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers professionals have worked with many clients to recover compensation from liable parties after motorcycle accidents and are prepared to help you navigate the claims process.
Why You Should Hire Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers
After a motorcycle accident, you may file a claim or lawsuit against liable parties for the damages they've caused. If you want to build a successful case and recover compensation for your losses, Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can help.
Our firm has decades of collective experience backing our legal services, equipping us to provide our clients with tailored representation based on each individual’s needs.
Our case results show that we've recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients over the years for auto accidents and other personal injury cases. With each case, our attorneys work to determine how much compensation each of our clients can recover based on the damages sustained and other factors. Additionally, we negotiate with insurance companies and liable parties to give our clients the support they need to reach a fair settlement.
We'll meet you in person at our Minnesota offices. However, if you cannot physically visit us, we can come to you or meet virtually at your convenience.
To discover what we can do for your case after a motorcycle accident in or around Rochester, contact Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers today for your free case evaluation with our personal injury lawyers.
Injured in Rochester? Get Nicolet.
What Types of Recoverable Compensation is Available for Motorcycle Accidents in Rochester?
Motorcycle accidents often result in many types of losses, including financial and personal losses due to serious injuries or the death of loved ones. If a negligent motorist or another liable party caused the accident, victims or their loved ones may be able to recover compensation based on their damages.
Here are some damages that motorcycle accident cases often involve:
Economic Damages
Economic or special damages involve direct financial losses attributed to an accident.
There are many potential economic damages that motorcycle accident victims could sustain, such as:
- Medical expenses for immediate and future care
- Hospital stays
- Ambulance rides
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Modifications made to a home or vehicle to accommodate disabilities
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
Non-Economic Damages
Many motorcycle accident victims also suffer various non-economic or general economic damages. These refer to the personal losses victims sustain from an accident and their injuries. Non-economic damages frequently lead to permanent changes in victims’ quality of life and ability to function.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological anguish
- Trauma
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
Wrongful Death Damages
Motorcycle accidents can lead to the loss of a loved one, forcing families to navigate financial and emotional challenges.
To help compensate for this loss, liable parties may recover wrongful death damages, including:
- Pain and suffering that the accident victim experienced before their death
- Medical expenses for treating patients before their passing
- Loss of companionship and service
- Funeral and burial costs
Punitive Damages
You may seek punitive damages if defendants engage in grossly negligent or malicious behavior. Punitive damages punish defendants and make an example of them to deter similar behavior.
Many potential factors influence the damages you can claim, including the degree of negligence and the severity of injuries. An experienced attorney at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers may help calculate the total compensation you deserve based on the damages sustained.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Rochester?
Motorcycle accidents can result from many potential causes, with many involving negligent parties. Many of these accidents are fatal because of the rider’s increased exposure to the road and various hazards.
Like in other cities, motorcycle accidents in Rochester may be more likely based on the danger level of a given intersection.
Some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in the Rochester area include:
- 260th Avenue
- Dodge County 15 / 270th Avenue
- 280th Avenue / 19th Avenue
- Olmsted County / 2nd Avenue
- 10th Avenue
- Olmsted County 3
- Olmsted County 104 / 60th Avenue
High traffic volumes can make these roads dangerous.
Here are some direct causes of motorcycle accidents in or near Rochester:
Car Doors
Many motorcycle accidents result from a motorist or passenger opening a vehicle door incorrectly. Motorcyclists may not have time to react to an open car door before colliding with it, potentially suffering serious injuries.
Reckless Driving
Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is reckless driving, which could involve speeding and other negligent driving behaviors that put others at risk, including motorcyclists.
Impaired Driving
Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol may also cause motorcycle accidents.
Lane Changes
Drivers may attempt to change lanes without checking their blind spots for other motorists. Motorcycles take up less physical space on the road and aren’t as wide or high as other vehicles, making it harder for others to see them in some cases. However, all motorists must ensure no vehicles are in their path before changing lanes or turning.
Sudden Stops
When motorcycles or other vehicles come to a sudden stop, motorcyclists can suffer extensive injuries from high-impact crashes. These accidents may occur when a motorist suddenly stops without warning, and a motorcyclist behind it doesn’t have time to stop before colliding with the stopped vehicle. They may also occur if a motorcyclist suddenly stops and a vehicle in the back rear-ends the motorcycle.
Poor Road Conditions
Sometimes neither motorcyclists nor other motorists may be liable for a motorcycle accident. Poor road conditions, either because of poor maintenance or inclement weather conditions, could lead to an accident.
You might hold the government liable for accidents involving bad road conditions due to failure to maintain roadways in their jurisdictions. They may also fail to warn motorists of potential dangers through proper signage.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries
Various types of motorcycle accidents can occur and cause serious harm to motorcyclists.
Various injuries result from four main types of motorcycle accidents:
- Lowside. In these accidents, motorcyclists fall toward the low side of their lean while making a turn.
- Highside. These accidents involve motorcyclists falling away from the side of the turn when attempting to correct their position, throwing the motorcyclist off the motorcycle as the vehicle flips over.
- Topside. These accidents often result from a sudden stop and occur when the motorcycle rapidly decelerates, throwing the motorcyclist over the handlebars.
- Collision. A collision occurs when the motorcyclist strikes another object or another vehicle strikes the motorcycle, exposing the motorcyclist to deceleration forces and blunt trauma.
Any of these motorcycle accidents can cause injuries to motorcyclists and others, and many are fatal because of the vulnerability of motorcyclists.
Recent data showed 13 traffic accident fatalities in Rochester over four years. Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety data found 82 motorcyclist fatalities in the state in one recent year. Many accidents involving motorcycles also result in serious life-altering injuries.
Some examples of the many serious and fatal injuries that motorcycle accident victims may sustain include:
- Fractured and broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Back and neck injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Spine and spinal cord injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Road rash
How Our Rochester Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Claim
After a motorcycle accident occurs in or near Rochester, your first instinct might be to try to handle your claim against the negligent parties insurer alone. While adjusters may seem on your side and the claims process may appear straightforward, you may inadvertently compromise your case if you attempt to negotiate with insurers alone.
Insurance companies want to protect their bottom line and avoid paying large settlements to accident victims and their families. They may make an initial offer that looks good, but it may not pay all of your expenses. Adjusters will also look for any valid reason to deny or severely reduce your claim, preventing you from getting the compensation you deserve. These risks are why it's best to work with an experienced Rochester motorcycle accident lawyer with experience negotiating insurance settlements.
The statute of limitations provides limited time to file a claim, so call today.
Our attorneys can guide you through the claims process and handle negotiations with adjusters. We can calculate the total value of your case based on all factors involved. Additionally, this attorney can counter low initial offers, fight for a fair settlement, and file your claim before the statute of limitations expires.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Rochester
To build a solid case against negligent parties after a motorcycle accident:
Adhere to Your Treatment Plan
After receiving initial treatment following an accident, a doctor will likely prescribe treatment, including certain procedures, medications, and therapy to help with recovery. Continue with this treatment plan to completely recover and generate medical records that may support a case. Always consult your doctor if you want to end or change your treatment plan.
Collect Evidence to Support a Claim
Another key step is gathering enough evidence to support your case. In addition to medical documentation gathered throughout treatment, you might need evidence such as police reports, footage of the accident scene, witness statements, and more. An attorney may help gather any evidence you cannot obtain.
Speak With Our Lawyers
Before filing a claim or suit against liable parties, consult our Rochester motorcycle accident attorneys. In a free case evaluation, we can assess your case and determine how you can proceed. You’ll walk away from this evaluation with a better understanding of your options and what to expect.
Consult With a Rochester Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After a motorcycle accident, you may pursue a case against negligent parties. The lawyers at Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can determine what compensation you can recover and initiate a claim or lawsuit. Reach out to a Rochester personal injury lawyer.
To find out whether you have a case, contact our firm for your free case evaluation with our attorneys or us at 1-855-NICOLET.