Hitting the road on your motorcycle can be a liberating experience, but because you have a lot less protection when you’re on two wheels, an equipment malfunction can have devastating consequences. One type of motorcycle malfunction that can be especially troublesome for riders is a tire blowout. You may think that a blowout is just a bit of bad luck, but oftentimes there are more factors at play. Below, we explain who may be liable for damages if you suffer a tire blowout while riding a motorcycle in Minnesota.
Tire Blowout Liability
If you experience a tire blowout, there are a number of different agencies that could be liable for your injuries. They include:
- The tire manufacturer
- The mechanic or body shop who installed the tire
- The city or municipality that is responsible for maintaining the road
Depending on the nature of your accident, we can work with you to determine who may have contributed to the tire failure. It’s important to do this soon after your accident, because there are different deadlines that must be met. For example, if you want to sue a government agency for your injuries, you must submit notice of a claim within 180 days of the accident. If you want to sue the motorcycle or tire manufacturer with a strict liability claim, you must file a claim within four years, but you must notify the other party within six months of hiring representation. If you are taking action against another party, you have six years from the date of the accident to bring a claim, but again, the sooner the better. This way the details of the accident are fresh in your mind and in the minds of any witnesses who can back up your claim.
Pursuing Damages For Tire Blowouts
Minnesota law allows a person to recover a wide variety of damages if they are injured through someone’s else’s negligence in a tire blowout claim. You are allowed to collect damages including but not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Property repairs
- Vehicle and home modifications
You have a lot of options when it comes to pursuing compensation, but proving your case will be difficult. That’s why it’s always in your best interest to hire a workers’ compensation firm like Hey Workers. We’ll review the details of the crash and can bring in experts to testify about the nature of your accident to help strengthen your case. Don’t try to go up against the insurance company and their expensive legal team on your own, let us fight for what you deserve. Even if you’re not sure if the blowout was preventable, contact our firm today to discuss your case and learn about your legal options. We hope you stay safe on your motorcycle this summer, but if you need legal help following a preventable accident, give Hey Workers a call.
