Minneapolis Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycle Accident Lawyer Minneapolis, MN
If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, you’re probably dealing with serious injuries, a recovery that’s taking longer than expected, and an insurance company that’s looking to pay you less than what you need. Cyclists are among the most vulnerable people on the road, and when a negligent driver causes a crash, the consequences are often life-changing. At Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., our team brings 19 years of firm experience and a combined 161 years of legal practice to every case. Contact our Minneapolis, MN bicycle accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Bennerotte & Associates, P.A. For Bicycle Accident Claims In Minneapolis, MN?
Minnesota Legal Knowledge Built Over Decades
Thomas R. Bennerotte founded this firm and has been representing injured Minnesotans since 1991. He graduated cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law and has spent his entire career focused on personal injury, including claims involving cyclists struck by negligent drivers. Admitted in Minnesota and North Dakota, he knows how local courts handle these cases and how insurers approach bicycle accident claims in this state—which is often with skepticism and low initial offers.
Tom is a member of the Minnesota Association for Justice and regularly lectures at legal and medical seminars across Minnesota and Wisconsin. As a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis, MN, he has helped thousands of injury victims recover fair compensation after accidents that weren’t their fault.
A Record That Reflects Real Advocacy
Our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars in compensation across car accidents, bicycle crashes, and other serious injury cases. Results like that come from preparation, persistence, and a willingness to take cases to trial when insurance companies won’t negotiate fairly.
Thomas Bennerotte is a Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, reserved for trial attorneys who have obtained multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements. He’s been selected for Super Lawyers multiple times and named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
Attorney Wade Rabenhorst holds the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest available rating for legal ability and ethics.
No Fees Unless We Win
Bicycle accident cases at Bennerotte & Associates are handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you. No retainer. No hourly billing.
What Clients Say
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“I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Attorney Wade and his incredible assistant, Danielle. From the moment I reached out to them following my injury, they were nothing short of exceptional. Wade was not only professional and knowledgeable but also genuinely empathetic — he made me feel heard, understood, and supported every step of the way.” – Philsan Aden
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types Of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle In Minneapolis
Bicycle accidents in Minneapolis happen in a lot of different ways. The common thread is usually a driver who wasn’t paying attention, wasn’t following traffic laws, or simply didn’t respect the space a cyclist is entitled to. Here’s what we handle.
- Car accidents involving cyclists. The most common scenario: a driver strikes a cyclist, either by running a red light, failing to yield, opening a car door into a bike lane, or simply not seeing the rider. These crashes cause serious injuries, and the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier will move quickly to limit the payout. We move faster.
- Truck accidents involving cyclists. Commercial vehicles have large blind spots, and cyclists caught in those zones are at serious risk. When a truck driver fails to check mirrors or makes a wide turn without accounting for a cyclist, the injuries can be catastrophic. These claims often involve both the driver and the trucking company as liable parties.
- Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers pulling over, opening doors, or pulling back into traffic without looking are a genuine hazard to Minneapolis cyclists. Insurance coverage in rideshare accidents depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash, which makes these claims more complicated than they appear on the surface.
- Motorcycle and bicycle collisions. Collisions between motorcycles and bicycles are less common but can cause significant harm. Determining fault requires a close look at speed, lane position, and the specific road conditions at the time of impact.
- E-scooter and bicycle crashes. As e-scooters have multiplied on Minneapolis streets, so have conflicts with cyclists. When a scooter rider’s negligence causes a collision with a bicyclist, there may be a claim against the rider, the scooter company, or both depending on the circumstances.
- Pedestrian and cyclist accidents. Shared paths and intersections create situations where cyclists and pedestrians come into conflict. When poor conditions, inadequate signage, or another party’s negligence is a factor, there may be a viable claim.
- Hit-and-run bicycle accidents. When a driver strikes a cyclist and flees, recovering compensation requires acting quickly. Evidence disappears fast, and your own insurance coverage may be the primary source of recovery. We know how to investigate these cases and protect your claim from the start.
- Dooring accidents. A driver or passenger opening a car door into the path of a cyclist is one of the more underappreciated hazards on Minneapolis streets, particularly near parked cars downtown. Under Minnesota law, the person opening the door can be held liable for failing to check for oncoming cyclists before opening.
Minnesota Legal Requirements For Bicycle Accident Claims
A handful of Minnesota laws directly shape how bicycle accident cases work and what injured cyclists can recover. Understanding them before you make any decisions about your claim is important.
Minnesota’s No-Fault System And Cyclists
Minnesota’s no-fault auto insurance law, found at Minnesota Statutes Chapter 65B, applies to cyclists in ways that often surprise people. If you are struck by a motor vehicle while riding your bike, you may actually be entitled to claim Personal Injury Protection benefits through the driver’s auto insurance policy (or your own household auto policy if you have one). PIP covers initial medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault. The important thing to know is that being on a bicycle doesn’t automatically exclude you from no-fault benefits — but accessing them requires knowing where to look and how to file correctly.
Going Beyond No-Fault
When your injuries are serious enough (a permanent injury, lasting disability, significant disfigurement, or medical bills that cross Minnesota’s tort threshold), you’re no longer limited to PIP benefits. At that point, you can file a direct liability claim against the driver who hit you for pain and suffering and all other damages that PIP doesn’t cover. For cyclists, who frequently sustain serious injuries in collisions with vehicles, this threshold is often met. That’s when the real fight for full compensation begins.
Statute Of Limitations
Under Minnesota Statutes Section 541.05, most bicycle accident injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the crash. That deadline doesn’t pause while you’re recovering or waiting to see how your injuries develop. If you miss it, your claim is almost certainly lost regardless of how clear the other driver’s fault may be.
Comparative Fault And Cyclist Claims
Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01 means that even if you were partially at fault for a bicycle accident (maybe you were riding outside a marked lane or didn’t have a light at night), you can still recover as long as your share of fault doesn’t exceed 50%. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage. Insurance companies frequently try to assign disproportionate fault to cyclists to reduce what they owe. We push back on that and make sure fault is assessed accurately.
Cyclist Rights Under Minnesota Traffic Law
Under Minnesota Statutes Section 169.222, cyclists operating on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. That means drivers owe cyclists the same duty of care they owe other drivers. When a motorist violates that duty and causes a crash, they can be held fully liable for the resulting injuries.
What Damages Are Recoverable In A Minneapolis Bicycle Accident Case?
Economic Damages
These are the concrete, documentable losses your accident caused. Medical expenses typically make up the largest share, including emergency treatment, surgeries, imaging, physical therapy, and any ongoing care you’ll need as you recover. If your injuries kept you out of work, lost wages are part of the claim. If they’ve affected your ability to work long-term, lost earning capacity is as well.
In serious bicycle accident cases, economic damages can also extend to rehabilitation costs, adaptive equipment, and home modifications. Every dollar needs to be accounted for and supported with documentation. Insurers will look for gaps, and we make sure there aren’t any.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering. Emotional distress. The loss of activities you used to enjoy. A serious bicycle accident injury changes daily life in ways that go far beyond the medical bills. Minnesota doesn’t cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means there’s no arbitrary limit on what you can pursue for these losses. That said, insurance companies will offer as little as they can get away with. Our Minneapolis bicycle accident attorneys know what these claims are actually worth and negotiate accordingly.
Punitive Damages
In cases where a driver’s conduct was particularly reckless (driving drunk, street racing, or showing a deliberate disregard for the safety of others on the road), Minnesota law permits punitive damages under Minnesota Statutes Section 549.20. They’re not available in every case, but when the facts support them, they send a clear message and can significantly increase total recovery.
Contact Bennerotte & Associates, P.A.
If you or someone you know has been hurt in a bicycle accident in Minneapolis or anywhere in Minnesota, we’re ready to help. Consultations are free, and we work on contingency, so there are no fees unless we win your case. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.