Motorcycle Accidents: Overview

As experienced and avid motorcyclists, Jim Schwebel and Paul Godlewski take motorcycle accidents seriously. Motorcycle accidents can be extremely dangerous because motorcycle drivers lack the protection of seatbelts or the outside protection of a car. Many motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries and too many result in death.

Road accidents, including motorcycle accidents usually occur because of negligence. Three-quarters of all motorcycle accidents involve a car or other motor vehicle. A negligent driver is not excused because they “didn’t see the motorcycle.”

If you’ve been injured in a Minnesota motorcycle accident, an attorney can explain that you have the same rights as a person riding in a car. But the Minnesota motorcycle accident attorneys at Schwebel,Goetz & Sieben know the differences between car accident cases and motorcycle accident cases. Our experienced attorneys can advise you and ensure that you receive full compensation for your injuries and that your rights are not violated.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, your well being comes first. Your rights are next. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben bring more than 35 years of experience representing victims of motorcycle accidents. Our lawyers have successfully represented and fought for clients in numerous motorcycle accident cases. Call us today for a free consultation with a Minnesota motorcycle accident attorney that will fight until the end for you: 612-377-7777 or 1-800-752-4265 (toll free).

Motorcycle accidents are most likely to occur in these high-risk situations:

• Left Turns - The most common car-motorcycle collisions are at an intersection when the automobile driver is making a left turn in front of a motorcycle.
• Car's Blind Spot – Motorcycles riding alongside a lane of cars are often out of the view of the driver. An unsuspecting driver may collide with a motorcyclist as the driver tries to change lanes.
• Large Vehicles - A large vehicle, such as a van or semi truck, can block a motorcycle from a driver's view. The motorcyclist may seem to suddenly appear from nowhere.
• Hazardous Road Conditions - Potholes, fallen tree limbs, or railroad tracks may be minor problems for many drivers, whereas a motorcyclist may have to slow down or change lanes to avoid these obstacles.
• Weather Conditions - When the road surface is wet or icy, motorcyclists' braking and handling abilities are impaired.
• Strong Winds - A strong gust of wind can move a motorcycle across an entire lane if the rider isn't prepared for it. Wind gusts from large trucks in the other lane can be a real hazard.

It is extremely important to wear a helmet because are the result of a head injury. Wearing a motorcycle helmet lowers the risk of fatal injury by 29 percent and reduces the risk of traumatic brain injury by 67 percent.

Based in Minneapolis MN, the personal injury lawyers at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben represent victims of motorcycle accidents throughout the entire state of Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and North Dakota.