There are over 200,000 motorcycles registered in Minnesota, according to the most recent Department of Transportation Crash Facts Report. Drivers need to remember to watch for motorcycles, providing additional space when traveling behind and when turning. Yesterday, July 4, 2017, two accidents in Minnesota invoving motorcycles seriously injured two people, one of whom did not survive. Our thoughts are with the families.
Too many collisions caused by drivers “not seeing” motorcycles, according to attorney Eric Hageman, who recently won over $5 million for a client whose motorcycle was hit by a commercial truck.
You can contact our law firm at 612-338-0202 or 1-888-337-8900 (toll free). You can also contact us using our free consultation form.
Fatal Crash in Wabasha County
A Hyundai Elantra was traveling eastbound westbound on Highway 60 in Chester Township, Wabasha County. A Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling westbound. The vehicles collided. Tragically, the driver of the Harley, Daniel Douglas Syverson, did not survive, according to the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP). There is no indication in the preliminary statement by MSP what happened on Highway 60 that resulted in this loss.
Zumbrota Ambulance, Zumbro Falls Fire Department and Mazeppa fire Department assisted on the scene.
Motorcycle Passenger Seriously Injured in Houston County Accident
A Buick Century and Harley Davidson were both southbound on Highway 26 in Brownsville, Houston County. The Harley was signaling a right turn onto South Third Street and was slowing. The driver of the Buick admitted that she was distracted. When she looked forward again, she noticed the turn signal and the slowing Harley. The Buick began braking, but rear ended the Harley, severely injuring the passenger, Elizabeth Ann Gruber from Maplewood, MN.
The driver of the Buick was cited, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Both occupants of the Harley wore helmets and protective jackets.
Assisting agencies included the Brownsville Fire and Rescue, Tri-State Ambulance, LaCrescent Police Department, MN DNR Conservation Officer, and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
We are seeing many more crashes caused by distracted driving, particularly cell phone use. And we had two recent cases where the drivers were reading a map. In one of those cases, our client suffered a broken pelvis and almost died.
It only takes a few moments to pull over to a safe location, get done what is needed, and move back safely into traffic.
