Eagan Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you were hit by a car or other vehicle while riding your bike and sustained serious injuries, an Eagan bicycle accident lawyer at Sieben Polk P.A. can help. We serve injury victims like you throughout the Upper Midwest. If someone else was at fault for the accident, we will seek to hold them responsible for your medical bills, lost income, and more. We know the law, and we get results. Contact us today for a free consultation.
In 2022, there were 561 bicycle crashes in Minnesota. Unfortunately, these resulted in 499 injuries and six fatalities. More than 90 percent occurred in cities with populations over 5,000 in areas where bicycles are often used for transportation. Half of the crashes occurred between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
If you sustained injuries in a bicycle accident in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area or beyond, our Eagan bicycle accident lawyers can help. You may be entitled to substantial financial compensation if a vehicle driver or other party’s negligence contributed to your accident. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Representation for Minnesota’s Bicycle Accident Victims
An experienced Eagan bicycle accident attorney can help you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve for your bicycle accident injuries. At Sieben Polk P.A., we are committed to helping our community in Minnesota secure the compensation they deserve by providing the resources of a large firm in a local firm environment.
How Long Do I Have to File My Bicycle Accident Claim?
Deadlines known as statutes of limitations limit the amount of time you have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you could lose your right to seek the compensation you deserve. The Minnesota statutes of limitations for most bicycle accident cases are as follows:
Personal injury claim
Six years from the date of injury.
Wrongful death claim
Three years from the date of death.
The sooner you get started on your claim, the better. The Minneapolis bicycle accident lawyers on the Sieben Polk P.A. team will help protect your rights by completing all required filings within the time permitted.
How to Choose a Bicycle Accident Attorney for Your Case
When choosing an Eagan bicycle accident lawyer, look for the following qualities:
- Nationally recognized, locally rooted
- Understanding of the legal terrain of Minnesota
- Obtains big-firm results in a local-firm environment
- Tailors their legal services to the unique needs of each client
- Experience and specialization
- Empathy, compassion, and communication skills
- Strong negotiation skills and trial experience
- Strong reputation and references
- Availability and responsiveness
- Transparent fee structure
- Ethics and professionalism
- Attention to detail
- Access to subject-matter experts
- Client-centered approach
Minnesota Bicycle Laws
Like all road users, bicyclists must follow traffic laws. In addition, the state has detailed rules specifically for bicycle riders pertaining to right-of-way, passing, turning, stopping, and required equipment.
- Right to the Road
Again, in Minnesota, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles.
- Helmets
Minnesota state law does not require helmets while riding a bicycle. That said, you should strongly consider doing so anyway, as helmet use significantly reduces the risk of sustaining traumatic brain injuries and death.
- Alcohol
Because the governing statute only applies to self-propelled motor vehicles, bicyclists cannot be charged with a DUI while riding a bike in Minnesota. However, riding a bike while under the influence may result in other charges, such as reckless endangerment or public intoxication.
- Prohibitions
Minnesota law includes a number of prohibitions specific to bicyclists, including the following:
- No bicycle shall carry more persons than their design allows.
- No bicyclist may cling to any car or vehicle while riding.
Common Bicycle Injury Accidents in Minnesota
More often than not, negligent drivers of cars, trucks, and other vehicles cause bicycle accident injuries. Careless or reckless driving results in a collision with a bicycle and injuries to the rider. Some of the most common causes of bike crashes include:
- Drunk and impaired driving – Drunk driving is a significant cause of accidents in Minnesota, with approximately 20 percent of serious injuries and 28 percent of deaths involving drunk drivers.
- Driver fatigue – Drowsy driving is another common cause of Minnesota bicycle accidents. Truck drivers are especially prone to driving while exhausted during long hauls.
- Speeding – Ignoring speed limits is a leading cause of car accidents. This factors into 29 percent of fatal road accidents. Drivers going too fast for the road and weather conditions may be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision.
- Distracted driving – Distracted driving occurs when drivers look at their phones or otherwise ignore the road and is especially dangerous. Drivers who take their eyes off the road for even a moment may not notice a bicycle nearby.
- Aggressive drivers – Tailgating, running stop signs or red lights, and cutting off drivers are all signs of aggressive drivers. Such behavior poses a clear danger to others.
Sometimes, other parties may be at fault in addition to or instead of the driver. These can include the vehicle manufacturer if a manufacturing defect contributed to the accident or the local government if the road condition was a factor in the crash.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at Sieben Polk P.A. have the resources to investigate your bicycle accident thoroughly. We will find out what caused the collision, identify all potentially liable parties, and seek to hold them responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all other damages available under Minnesota law.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle riders are completely exposed to the impact force in a crash. For this reason, a bicycle accident injury is often severe. Common injuries in Minneapolis bicycling accidents include:
- Neck and back injuries may cause life-long impairment. Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis or lack of sensation.
- Traumatic brain Injuries can cause significant brain damage. Symptoms may include behavioral changes, memory impairments, personality changes, and seizures. TBIs can be fatal.
- Child injuries are especially tragic. When a child riding a bicycle is hit by a car or other vehicle, the child may suffer severe and painful injuries that can change their future.
- Sadly, bicycle accidents sometimes lead to wrongful death. If a loved one passes away from their bicycle accident injuries, you may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages and hold the negligent parties accountable.
A personal injury lawyer at Sieben Polk P.A. will fight for your rights if you or a loved one were injured in a Minnesota bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Speak For Free With Our Eagan Bicycle Injury Lawyers
The award-winning lawyers on the Sieben Polk P.A. legal team have served injured bicycle riders in Eagan and the Upper Midwest for over 50 years. We understand the stress, pain, and fear you may undergo after being in a bicycle accident.
If you choose to work with us, an experienced Eagan bicycle accident lawyer will guide you through the legal process, stand up to the at-fault party’s insurance company, and fight for your right to fair compensation for your injuries. Reach out today for a free consultation and case review by calling (651) 437-3148 or filling out our online contact form.
Sources
Minnesota Statutes, § 169.222 Operation of a Bicycle.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Motor Vehicle Crash Facts (2022).
