Minnesota Motorcycle Laws

In Minnesota, The Number to CALL if You FALL is 1-877-Biker-LAW

MINNESOTA MOTORCYCLE LAW*

Minnesota motorcyclists are protected under Minnesota motorcycle law that makes negligent drivers responsible and liable to Minnesota motorcyclists. A bike who is involved in a Minnesota motorcycle accident may obtain compensation for his or her injuries that were caused by the other driver’s negligence. Damages may include payment for pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, economic loss, no fault benefits, and more. What follows are some of the relevant law involving motorcycles in the State of Minnesota

If you sustained an injury due to a Minnesota motorcycle accident and you haven’t contacted a lawyer about your Minnesota motorcycle accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is contact us NOW. We’ll listen to you and help you understand your options. If you have a case, we’ll help you find the best motorcycle accident injury attorney or law firm in your area. As an attorney who litigates these cases, I belong to many trial lawyer and motorcycle lawyer groups and have gone out of my way to find the best motorcycle attorneys in each state. Even the phone call is free, and there is no obligation. Don’t wait until it’s too late, make a simple call and talk to attorney Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer. 1-877-Biker-Law (1-877-245-3752).

Ø Minnesota Definition of “Motorcycle”:

Chapter 65B. Automobile Insurance

65B.001. Definitions

Subd. 5. Motorcycle. "Motorcycle" means a self-propelled vehicle designed to travel on fewer than four wheels that has an engine rated at greater than five horsepower, and includes a trailer with one or more wheels, when the trailer is connected to or being towed by a motorcycle. For purposes of this chapter, motorcycle includes a motorized bicycle as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 4a, but does not include an electric-assisted bicycle as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 4b.

Ø Minnesota Helmet Law: Helmet required under age 18. Helmet required for instructional permit holders.

Ø Minnesota Eye Protection: Minnesota motorcyclists are required by law to wear eye-protective devises when riding on a Minnesota motorcycle.

169.974. Motorcycle, motor scooter, motor bike:

Subd. 4. Equipment for operator and passenger. (a) No person under the age of 18 shall operate or ride a motorcycle on the streets and highways of this state without wearing protective headgear that complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety; and no person shall operate a motorcycle without wearing an eye-protective device.

Ø Minnesota is a No-Fault state.

Minnesota Statutes Annotated

Insurance (Ch. 59A-79A)

Chapter 65B. Automobile Insurance

-A Minnesota motorcyclist is not entitled to No-Fault benefits from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.

-Medical bills may be part of the claim against the at-fault driver if they are not paid by another source.

Ø Motorcycle Insurance Law in Minnesota:

Subd. 5. Motorcycle coverage. (a) Every owner of a motorcycle registered or required to be registered in this state or operated in this state by the owner or with the owner's permission shall provide and maintain security for the payment of tort liabilities arising out of the maintenance or use of the motorcycle in this state. Security may be provided by a contract of liability insurance complying with section 65B.49, subdivision 3, or by qualifying as a self insurer in the manner provided in subdivision 3.

(b) At the time an application for motorcycle insurance without personal injury protection coverage is completed, there must be attached to the application a separate form containing a written notice in at least 10-point bold type, if printed, or in capital letters, if typewritten that state:

"Under Minnesota law, a policy of motorcycle coverage issued in the State of Minnesota must provide liability coverage only, and there is no requirement that the policy provide personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in the case of injury sustained by the insured. No PIP coverage provided by an automobile insurance policy you may have in force will extend to provide coverage in the event of a motorcycle accident."

Ø Minnesota Motorcyclists May Suffer 2 Types of Damage after their Minnesota Motorcycle Accident:

· Economic Damages

· Non-Economic Damages

65B.43. Definitions

Subd. 7. Loss. "Loss" means economic detriment resulting from the accident causing the injury, consisting only of medical expense, income loss, replacement services loss and, if the injury causes death, funeral expense, survivor's economic loss and survivor's replacement services loss. Noneconomic detriment is not loss; however, economic detriment is loss although caused by pain and suffering or physical or mental impairment.

Subd. 8. Noneconomic detriment. "Noneconomic detriment" means all dignitary losses suffered by any person as a result of injury arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and inconvenience.

Economic Losses include, but may not be limited to:

Medical Expenses
Income Loss
Replacement Services Loss
Funeral Expense Loss
Survivor’s Economic Loss
Survivor’s Replacement Services Loss

Non-Economic Damages that may be recoverable include:

Permanent Serious Disfigurement
Permanent Injury
Death
Disability for 60 or more days

Non-Economic Damages can be recovered in a tort suit, pursuant to Minnesota Statute 65B.51:

Subd. 3. Limitation of damages for noneconomic detriment. In an action described in subdivision 1, no person shall recover damages for noneconomic detriment unless:

(a) The sum of the following exceeds $4,000:

(1) reasonable medical expense benefits paid, payable or payable but for any applicable deductible, plus

(2) the value of free medical or surgical care or ordinary and necessary nursing services performed by a relative of the injured person or a member of the injured person's household, plus

(3) the amount by which the value of reimbursable medical services or products exceeds the amount of benefit paid, payable, or payable but for an applicable deductible for those services or products if the injured person was charged less than the average reasonable amount charged in this state for similar services or products, minus

(4) the amount of medical expense benefits paid, payable, or payable but for an applicable deductible for diagnostic X-rays and for a procedure or treatment for rehabilitation and not for remedial purposes or a course of rehabilitative occupational training; or

(b) the injury results in:

(1) permanent disfigurement;
(2) permanent injury;
(3) death; or
(4) disability for 60 days or more.

(c) For the purposes of clause (a) evidence of the reasonable value of medical services and products shall be admissible in any action brought in this state.

For the purposes of this subdivision disability means the inability to engage in substantially all of the injured person's usual and customary daily activities.

Ø Right To Benefits under Minnesota No-Fault Law:

65B.46. Right to benefits

Subdivision 1. Motor vehicle or motorcycle accident in this state. If the accident causing injury occurs in this state, every person suffering loss from injury arising out of maintenance or use of a motor vehicle or as a result of being struck as a pedestrian by a motorcycle has a right to basic economic loss benefits.

Subd. 2. Motor vehicle or motorcycle accident outside this state. If the accident causing injury occurs outside this state in the United States, United States possessions, or Canada, the following persons and their surviving dependents suffering loss from injury arising out of maintenance or use of a motor vehicle or as a result of being struck as a pedestrian by a motorcycle have a right to basic economic loss benefits:

(1) insureds, and
(2) the driver and other occupants of a secured vehicle, other than (a) a vehicle which is regularly used in the course of the business of transporting persons or property and which is one of five or more vehicles under common ownership, or (b) a vehicle owned by a government other than this state, its political subdivisions, municipal corporations, or public agencies. The reparation obligor may, if the policy expressly states, extend the basic economic loss benefits to any stated area beyond the limits of the United States, United States possessions and Canada.

Subd. 3. Limitation; motorcycle injuries. For the purposes of sections 65B.41 to 65B.71, injuries suffered by a person while on, mounting or alighting from a motorcycle do not arise out of the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle although a motor vehicle is involved in the accident causing the injury.

*There are many exceptions, special definitions and complex issues that cannot be explained in this material. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice. Your legal rights greatly depend on the facts of your accident.

*Law changes constantly. Do not rely on this information. Law is vast and can not be covered in this limited space.

***Law portion of site in progress. Minnesota motorcycle law regarding Minnesota motorcycle accidents is being drafted and will be updated soon. Please call our firm for a free consultation to see if you have a case.

Find An Attorney In Minnesota For Your Motorcycle Accident Injury Case

Who Should Seek A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Anyone who has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Minnesota should seek the advice of a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer.

Why Should You Contact The Motorcycle Lawyer?

The Motorcycle Lawyer helps motorcycle accident victims find a highly qualified lawyer in their state. Motorcyle accident victims need an edge wherever it exists, and the first place to gain that edge is by finding a lawyer who knows the unique laws in their state.

The Motorcycle Lawyer offers victims of motorcycle accidents this service at no charge to the accident victim seeking justice.

When Should A Motorcycle Accident Victim Seek Help?

It's very important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The Motorcycle Lawyer has reviewed many motorcycle accident cases and through our experience we have found that the sooner we can hear the details of your accident, the more likely you are to win your case. It's too easy to forget important details of the circumstances of your motorcycle accident to risk waiting. Witnesses, victims, medical care providers, and police may not have a clear memory of your motorcycle accident and circumstances weeks or months after.

Contact The Motorcycle Lawyer Without Obligation!

Providing The Motorcycle Lawyer with details of your motorcycle accident is free and does not obligate you to retain a lawyer. Please call us at no cost and speak with Jason A. Waechter, the founding lawyer of The Motorcycle Lawyer at:

1-877-Biker-Law (1-877-245-3752)

Serving every city and town in the State of Minnesota:

A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
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H
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I
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J
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K
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L
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M
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N
Nashwauk, Nassau, Navarre, Naytahwaush, Nelson, Nerstrand, Nett Lake, Nevis, New Auburn, New Brighton, New Germany, New Hartford, New Hope, New London, New Market, New Munich, New Prague, New Richland, New Ulm, New York Mills, Newfolden, Newport, Nicollet, Nielsville, Nimrod, Nisswa, Norcross, North Branch, North Mankato, North Oaks, North Saint Paul, Northfield, Northome, Northrop, Norwood

O
Oak Grove, Oak Island, Oak Park, Oak Park Heights, Oakdale, Oakland, Odessa, Odin, Ogema, Ogilvie, Okabena, Oklee, Olivia, Onamia, Ormsby, Oronoco, Orr, Ortonville, Osage, Osakis, Oslo, Osseo, Ostrander, Ottertail, Outing, Owatonna

P
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R
Racine, Ramsey, Randall, Randolph, Ranier, Ray, Raymond, Reading, Reads Landing, Red Lake Falls, Red Wing, Redby, Redlake, Redwood Falls, Remer, Renville, Revere, Rice, Richfield, Richmond, Richville, Richwood, Robbinsdale, Rochert, Rochester, Rock Creek, Rockford, Rockville, Rogers, Rollingstone, Roosevelt, Roscoe, Rose Creek, Roseau, Rosemount, Roseville, Rothsay, Round Lake, Royalton, Rush City, Rushford, Rushmore, Russell, Ruthton, Rutledge

S
Sabin, Sacred Heart, Saginaw, Saint Anthony, Saint Bonifacius, Saint Charles, Saint Clair, Saint Cloud, Saint Francis, Saint Hilaire, Saint James, Saint Joseph, Saint Louis Park, Saint Martin, Saint Michael, Saint Paul, Saint Paul Park, Saint Peter, Salol, Sanborn, Sandstone, Sargeant, Sartell, Sauk Centre, Sauk Rapids, Savage, Sawyer, Scandia, Schroeder, Seaforth, Searles, Sebeka, Shafer, Shakopee, Shelly, Sherburn, Shevlin, Shoreview, Shorewood, Side Lake, Silver Bay, Silver Creek, Silver Lake, Slayton, Sleepy Eye, Solway, Soudan, South Haven, South International Falls, South Saint Paul, Spicer, Spring Grove, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Park, Spring Park, Spring Valley, Springfield, Squaw Lake, Stacy, Stanchfield, Staples, Starbuck, Steen, Stephen, Stewart, Stewartville, Stillwater, Stockton, Storden, Strandquist, Strathcona, Sturgeon Lake, Sunburg, Sunfish Lake, Swan River, Swanville

T
Taconite, Talmoon, Tamarack, Taopi, Taunton, Taylors Falls, Tenstrike, Thief River Falls, Tintah, Tofte, Togo, Tower, Tracy, Trail, Trimont, Trosky, Truman, Twig, Twin Valley, Two Harbors, Tyler

U
Ulen, Underwood, Upsala, Utica

V
Vadnais Heights, Verdi, Vergas, Vermillion, Verndale, Vernon Center, Vesta, Victoria, Viking, Villard, Vining, Virginia

W
Wabasha, Wabasso, Waconia, Wadena, Wahkon, Waite Park, Waldorf, Walker, Walnut Grove, Waltham, Wanamingo, Wanda, Wannaska, Warba, Warren, Warroad, Warsaw, Waseca, Waskish, Watertown, Waterville, Watkins, Watson, Waubun, Waverly, Wayzata, Webster, Welch, Welcome, Wells, Wendell, West Concord, West Saint Paul, West Union, Westbrook, Wheaton, White Bear Lake, White Earth, Willernie, Williams, Willmar, Willow River, Wilmont, Wilton, Windom, Winger, Winnebago, Winona, Winsted, Winthrop, Winton, Wirt, Wolf Lake, Wolverton, Wood Lake, Woodbury, Woodstock, Worthington, Wrenshall, Wright, Wykoff, Wyoming

Y
Young America

Z
Zimmerman, Zumbro Falls, Zumbrota