1. Meshbesher & Spence, Ltd.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, left-turn accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: One of Minnesota’s largest personal injury law firms with decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases in the Twin Cities area including St. Paul and Minneapolis. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for accident victims throughout Minnesota.
Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (Ramsey County)
Contact: Contact via website
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
2. TSR Injury Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, hit-and-run accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, medical record review, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation, no-fault PIP claims
Background: Minnesota personal injury law firm serving the Twin Cities including St. Paul. The attorneys handle motorcycle accident cases and understand Minnesota’s no-fault insurance system and how it applies to motorcyclists.
Location: St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN
Contact: Contact via website
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
3. SiebenCarey
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, rear-end collisions, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries, road rash injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: One of Minnesota’s largest personal injury law firms with over 65 years of combined experience. The firm serves clients in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout Minnesota. The attorneys understand Minnesota’s comparative fault laws and no-fault insurance system.
Location: St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN
Contact: Contact via website
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
4. Bradshaw & Bryant PLLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, criminal defense
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: Minnesota personal injury firm serving the Twin Cities metro area including St. Paul. The attorneys handle motorcycle accident claims and understand Minnesota’s fault determination rules and insurance requirements.
Location: St. Paul area, MN
Contact: Contact via website
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
5. Knutson + Casey
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, left-turn accidents, distracted driving accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record review, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: Minnesota personal injury law firm serving clients in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the state. The firm has decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases and understanding Minnesota’s modified comparative fault rules.
Location: St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN
Contact: Contact via website
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Minnesota
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Minnesota has a six-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents under Minnesota Statutes Section 541.05. This is one of the longest limitation periods in the country.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims in Minnesota also have a six-year statute of limitations.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims in Minnesota must be filed within three years from the date of death.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance Status: Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state for automobile accidents. However, motorcyclists are generally excluded from the no-fault system. Motorcycle accident victims typically pursue claims under the fault-based tort system against negligent parties.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule (51% bar rule) under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01. You can recover damages as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. Your damages award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Minnesota requires motorcyclists to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage (30/60/10). Uninsured motorist coverage is also required.
Helmet Law: Minnesota does not have a universal helmet law. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 169.974, only motorcycle operators under 18 years of age and passengers under 18 are required to wear DOT-approved helmets. Riders 18 and older are not required to wear helmets. However, all riders must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has a windscreen.
Eye Protection Requirements: Minnesota requires all motorcycle operators to wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen or similar protective device.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering Laws: Lane splitting is illegal in Minnesota. Motorcyclists must remain within their designated lane and follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Minnesota requires a motorcycle endorsement on a driver’s license or a motorcycle-only license (Class M). Applicants must pass a knowledge test and a skills test. Completing an approved motorcycle safety course may waive the skills test.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Minnesota motorcycles must be equipped with working headlights (on at all times), taillights, brake lights, mirrors, brakes, horn, and mufflers.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Minnesota requires motorcyclists to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional but recommended.
Damage Caps: Minnesota does not impose statutory caps on compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) in most personal injury cases. Punitive damages may be available in cases involving willful indifference or deliberate disregard for safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Minnesota?
A: Minnesota has a six-year statute of limitations for personal injury and property damage claims arising from motorcycle accidents under Minnesota Statutes Section 541.05. This is one of the longest limitation periods in the country. For wrongful death claims, the limitation period is three years from the date of death. While you have more time than in most states, it is still advisable to consult with an attorney promptly to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Q: How does Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. You can recover compensation as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. If your fault is 50% or less, your damages award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to attribute greater fault to motorcyclists, so having an attorney is important.
Q: Do I have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Minnesota?
A: Minnesota has a partial helmet law. Only motorcycle operators and passengers under 18 years of age are required to wear DOT-approved helmets. Riders 18 and older are not required to wear helmets. However, all riders must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen. Choosing not to wear a helmet could affect your injury claim if you sustain head injuries, as the defense may argue comparative negligence.
Q: Does Minnesota’s no-fault insurance apply to motorcycle accidents?
A: Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state, but motorcyclists are generally excluded from the no-fault system. Motorcycle accident victims typically pursue claims under the fault-based tort system against negligent parties. This means you can file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit without meeting the injury thresholds required for auto accident claims. However, you should still carry uninsured motorist coverage as required by Minnesota law.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in Minnesota, and how does it affect accident liability?
A: Lane splitting is illegal in Minnesota. Motorcyclists must stay within their designated lane and follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles. If you are involved in an accident while attempting to split lanes, you will likely be found at fault, which could significantly reduce or eliminate your ability to recover compensation under Minnesota’s modified comparative negligence rule.