Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Rules Of The Road

 

MOTORCYCLE DRIVING RULES – ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS MINNESOTA

Motorcycle accidents are too frequent in Minnesota. If a car cut you off while you were riding your motorcycle, or hit you on the road, you have rights. You need strong representation from a top MN motorcycle accident injury lawyer. There are rules of the road that must be followed. Unfortunately, many drivers are not paying attention and don’t always follow the rules.

Most of the motorcycle crashes our lawyers handle involve a car or truck not paying attention and not seeing the motorcycle. For example, a sudden lane change or pulling out onto a road in front of an oncoming motorcycle. A best motorcycle accident injury attorney in MN makes sure the investigation is thorough to prove the injured rider’s case.

KNOW THE DRIVING RULES

It is also important for motorcycle riders to know and follow the rules of the road. That way, if an accident does happen, the rider will not be blamed. It is very common for drivers, or their insurance company, to blame the motorcycle biker for the crash. If you follow the rules, you cannot be blamed. Of course, you should also know and follow the motorcycle driving rules for your own safety.

Minn.Stat. 169.974, Subd. 5. Driving rules.

(a) An operator of a motorcycle shall ride only on a permanent and regular seat attached to the vehicle for that purpose.

No other person shall ride on a motorcycle; except that passengers may ride upon a permanent and regular operator’s seat if designed for two persons. Additional seats may be attached to the vehicle to the rear of the operator’s seat. Or, in a sidecar attached to the vehicle. However, the operator of a motorcycle shall not carry passengers beyond the designed capacity of the motorcycle or sidecar attached to it. No passenger shall be carried in a position that will interfere with the safe operation of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.

(b) No person shall ride upon a motorcycle as a passenger unless the person can reach the footrests with both feet.

(c) No person, except passengers of sidecars or drivers and passengers of three-wheeled motorcycles, shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle except while sitting astride the seat. In other words, the passenger must be facing forward, with one leg on either side of the motorcycle.

(d) No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying anything which prevents the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS AND DUTIES

(e) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of moving or stationary vehicles headed in the same direction. Nor shall any person drive a motorcycle abreast of or overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane. However, motorcycles may, with the consent of both drivers, be operated not more than two abreast in a single traffic lane.

(f) Motor vehicles including motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a traffic lane. No motor vehicle may be driven or operated in a manner so as to deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a traffic lane.

(g) A person operating a motorcycle upon a roadway must be granted the rights and is subject to the duties applicable to a motor vehicle.

(h) Paragraph (e) of this subdivision does not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.

(i) No person shall operate a motorcycle on a street or highway unless the headlight or headlights are lighted at all times.

(j) A person parking a motorcycle on the roadway of a street or highway must:

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(2) park the motorcycle in such a way that the front of the motorcycle is pointed or angled toward the nearest lane of traffic. In other words, the driver must (i) view any traffic in both directions of the street or highway without having to move the motorcycle into a lane of traffic and without losing balance or control of the motorcycle. Also, (ii) be able to ride the motorcycle forward and directly into a lane of traffic when the lane is sufficiently clear of traffic.

TOP MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS