Reliable Personal Injury Assistance For Midwest Families

Motorcycle Injury Lawyers Who Know A Motorcycle Accident Can Change Your Life In A Moment

If you ride a motorcycle, you know it comes with a certain level of risk. The feeling of freedom is often the point of riding. Even if you compensate for that risk by taking every safety precaution, you cannot control other drivers. One negligent driver can cause an accident that threatens your life in a split second. If you have suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who understands these cases and will fight to recover the damages you deserve.

The motorcycle injury lawyers at Keller, Woods & Thompson, P.A., are here to help you. Our firm has been aggressively fighting for accident victims for over two decades. Located in Minneapolis, we represent clients throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

5 Common Road Hazards Minnesota and Wisconsin Bikers Need To Look Out For

While other drivers are one of the biggest hazards for motorcyclists, they are not alone. Here are some of the most dangerous hazards bikers need to watch for while on the road:

  1. Animals: ranging from squirrels to deer, animals regularly cross rural roads. Bikers who try to avoid animals may veer off the road. Other drivers may brake suddenly or swerve into a motorcycle to avoid deer. Collisions with larger animals like deer could lead to serious injury. Deer typically migrate during spring and autumn, so take extra care during these months.
  2. Slick roads: oil, water and ice pose a bigger threat to bikers because it’s easier to lose traction. Minnesota and Wisconsin are two of the coldest states in America, so the risk of slipping on ice is much greater.
  3. Breaks in the road: some bridges have small spaces where the joints meet. Cars can pass over these spaces easily, but motorcycles might have more difficulty. The same goes for railroad crossings. Your tire can catch on the tracks if you ride at high speeds.
  4. Uneven roads: unpaved roads or roads with potholes are not uncommon in rural areas. These are especially dangerous for bikers because you can more easily lose control of a motorcycle than a car. Sometimes, traffic lanes are different heights. If you cross into another lane, you may hit this break. Additionally, if the shoulder is lower than the road, veering off could result in injury.
  5. Random debris: you never know what you might find on the road. From car parts and furniture to tree branches and rocks, debris poses more of a hazard to bikers. Attempting to avoid the hazard could cause you to lose traction or fall off your bike.

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents

If you have been riding for any length of time, you have already learned to pick out dangerous drivers, risky behavior and cars that might cut you off. Experienced riders learn to ride defensively, but that is not always enough. The margin of error on a motorcycle is so slim you simply don’t always have time to react. Common types of motorcycle accidents caused by negligent drivers include:

  • Head-on collisions – As one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, this is also one of the most dangerous and often results in serious injury or death.
  • Left-hand turns – Another common type of crash for motorcycles and cars, alike, when a car is turning left and does not notice the motorcycle, they can end up crashing.
  • Distracted driving – The biggest problem most riders face is that other drivers simply do not see them. Distracted driving is on the rise across all types of motor vehicle accidents, but motorcycles are more vulnerable than most due to size.
  • Merging and changing lanes – Too often, drivers do not properly check for traffic before changing lanes. Motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to see, resulting in a dangerous collision when a car suddenly moves over.
  • Road hazards – Road debris and other road hazards can wreak havoc on a motorcycle due to stability and relative size. Road hazards like the ones above can sometimes be traced back to a negligent party, but not always.

Of course, many more scenarios result in motorcycle accidents. These are just a few of the more common ones involving the negligence of others.

Putting Your Life Back Together

The unfortunate truth is that motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or even death. You could be facing a long road to recovery with medical treatments and physical therapy. You should not settle for the first offer the insurance company makes. Allow us to pursue justice for you. We will take your case to trial if we don’t believe a settlement offer is fair.

If you lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident, Keller, Woods & Thompson can help you pursue a claim for wrongful death. Although nothing can replace your loved one, your family should at least be compensated for the financial and emotional damages you suffered.

Keller, Woods & Thompson Is Here For you

We will do whatever we can to get you back on the road and enjoying life again. Let us fight for you. Call our office at 763-447-4076 or reach out online to schedule a free initial consultation.