Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Minneapolis, Minnesota
The firms in this guide
- Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A. Call Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.: (612) 377-7777
- SiebenCarey Call SiebenCarey: (612) 333-4500
- Meshbesher & Spence Call Meshbesher & Spence: (612) 339-9121
- TSR Injury Law Call TSR Injury Law: (612) 877-8463
- Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Call Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers: (612) 446-3999
1. Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car vs. motorcycle collisions, truck vs. motorcycle collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents, amputation injuries from motorcycle accidents, burn injuries from motorcycle crashes.
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, debris-related motorcycle accidents, rollover accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents.
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, motorcycle accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, product liability claims.
Background: Minnesota’s largest personal injury law firm with nearly 50 years of experience. More than half of the firm’s attorneys are board-certified civil trial specialists, a distinction held by less than 3% of Minnesota attorneys. The firm has helped over 50,000 clients and recovered over $750 million in total damages. Attorneys James R. Schwebel and Paul Godlewski are noted motorcycle enthusiasts. James R. Schwebel was named to the “100 Most Influential Attorneys in Minnesota History” and is a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers. Licensed in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Location: 5901 Cedar Lake Road, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Contact: (612) 377-7777 | Toll-free: (800) 752-4265 | https://www.schwebel.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no fees unless recovery obtained).
2. SiebenCarey
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car vs. motorcycle collisions, truck vs. motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, drunk driving motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries, amputation injuries from motorcycle accidents.
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, underinsured motorist motorcycle accidents, motorcycle passenger injury claims.
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, personal injury protection claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Founded in 1952 as Minnesota’s first personal injury law firm. Has represented more than 70,000 clients. Features 7 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association and 3 Board Certified Trial Advocates through the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Jeffrey S. Sieben is certified as a Civil Trial Law Specialist and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. James P. Carey is President and Managing Partner, appointed to the American College of Trial Lawyers, and was recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers of America in 2022 for Personal Injury Litigation. Licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Location: 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Contact: (612) 333-4500 | Toll-free: (800) 474-4487 | https://www.knowyourrights.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement (no fees unless recovery obtained), will meet clients in hospitals or homes.
3. Meshbesher & Spence
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, PERA disability claims.
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, motorcycle passenger injury claims, mass tort litigation.
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.
Background: Established in 1961 with over 60 years of service. Named “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News. Currently has 18 attorneys across offices in Minneapolis, Rochester, and St. Cloud. Notable motorcycle accident recoveries include a $6 million settlement for a catastrophic motorcycle crash in Washington County and a $3 million verdict for a motorcycle fatality case. The firm handles cases on behalf of motorcyclists throughout Minnesota.
Location: 1616 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Contact: (612) 339-9121 | https://www.meshbesher.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no fees unless recovery obtained), available to meet clients in hospitals or homes.
4. TSR Injury Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, motorcycle malfunction accidents, defective motorcycle claims, car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, premises liability, product liability, dog bites.
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, defective motorcycle claims, motorcycle product liability, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims.
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, motorcycle accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, no-fault arbitration, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, product liability claims.
Background: Over 20 years advocating for those injured in accidents. Attorneys have obtained over $300 million in compensation for injury victims. Partner Chuck Slane recovered a $2.8 million insurance settlement for motorcycle crash victims. Slane is certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Attorney Erik Willer has handled numerous motorcycle accident cases involving insurance disputes and serious injuries.
Location: 8300 Norman Center Drive, Suite 1275, Minneapolis, MN 55437
Contact: (612) 877-8463 (TSR-TIME) | https://www.tsrinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement (no fees unless recovery obtained).
5. Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, snowmobile accidents, ATV accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, product liability.
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, premises liability, nursing home negligence.
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.
Background: Founded in 2007 by Russell Nicolet. Over 100 years of combined legal experience among attorneys. Has secured over $51 million on behalf of clients through settlement negotiations and jury trial verdicts. Maintains offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. The firm designates a “Midwest’s Motorcycle Lawyer” partner position. Notable recoveries include a $1.2 million car accident recovery and an $815,000 drunk driving crash recovery. Proud Law Partner of the Minnesota Vikings.
Location: 43 SE Main Street, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Contact: (612) 446-3999 | Toll-free: 1-855-NICOLET | https://nicoletlaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no fees unless recovery obtained), will meet at location convenient for client.
Lane Filtering Limits, Helmet and Eye Protection Rules and Shared Fault for Minneapolis Motorcycle Crashes
A Minneapolis motorcycle crash claim can turn on Minnesota’s rule for passing within a lane at low speed, its helmet requirement for riders under 18, and the eye protection every operator must use. Minnesota then compares the rider’s fault with the other driver’s and requires separate uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on auto policies.
Passing Within a Lane
Under Minn. Stat. 169.974 subd. 5(f) and (g), a motorcycle may not ride between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles, abreast of vehicles in the same lane or overtake within the same lane, except that it may overtake and pass a vehicle in the same direction within the same lane at not more than 25 miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic. Under (h), that exception does not apply at a roundabout approach, drive-through or exit, in a school zone, in a work zone with one travel lane, or on a freeway on-ramp with queued traffic.
Helmets and Eye Protection
Under Minn. Stat. 169.974 subd. 4(a), no person under 18 may operate or ride a motorcycle without protective headgear meeting the commissioner’s standards, and no person may operate a motorcycle without an eye-protective device. Under (b), neither rule applies during a permitted parade or in an enclosed-cab autocycle.
Comparative Fault
Under Minn. Stat. 604.01 subd. 1, the rider’s contributory fault does not bar recovery if it was not greater than the fault of the person against whom recovery is sought, and damages are diminished in proportion to the rider’s fault.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Under Minn. Stat. 65B.49 subd. 3a, a plan of reparation security on a motor vehicle registered or principally garaged in Minnesota must include separate uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages, each with limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The no-fault definitions treat riders differently: under Minn. Stat. 65B.43 subd. 2, “motor vehicle” means a vehicle other than a motorcycle or other vehicle with fewer than four wheels, so ask the insurer and counsel which no-fault benefits and rules reach the rider’s claim. If the other vehicle belonged to the city, notice of the claim must reach its governing body within 180 days after the injury is discovered under Minn. Stat. 466.05.
Minneapolis Motorcycle Accident Questions
Is lane splitting legal in Minnesota?
No, except under the conditions of Minn. Stat. 169.974 subd. 5(g). Subd. 5(f) bars riding between lanes of vehicles headed the same way, and (g) allows a motorcycle to overtake and pass within the same traffic lane at not more than 25 miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour over traffic, outside the locations listed in (h). Confirm with counsel how (g) applies to the maneuver in your crash.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if your fault is not greater than the other driver’s. For example, imagine $85,000 in damages and 20 percent of the fault on the rider: under Minn. Stat. 604.01 subd. 1 the recovery would be $68,000.
Do adult riders in Minnesota have to wear a helmet?
No. Minn. Stat. 169.974 subd. 4(a) requires headgear for riders under 18, while every operator must wear an eye-protective device.