Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Injury Lawyer Team > Bicycle Accident Lawyer > Wisconsin Bicycle Accident Lawyer > Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Drivers can easily get distracted by their cell phones, other vehicles, and passengers. When people are not focused on the road and its surroundings, it can be challenging to see a nearby vulnerable bicyclist.

A bicycle accident caused by reckless driving can result in life-devastating consequences. A bicycle accident lawyer can protect your legal rights and guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim.

Have you been hurt in a bicycle accident due to a Milwaukee driver’s negligence? The personal injury lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team are experienced in helping injured bicyclists in their compensation claims.

Table of Contents

Our reputable bicycle accident attorneys are dedicated to providing the best possible representation to our clients in their personal injury claims. Call our law firm today to speak with one of our Milwaukee personal injury lawyers in a free case evaluation.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents?

Many people ride bicycles every day for recreation, exercise, or transportation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 1,000 bicyclist deaths and 130,000 injuries in collisions in the US annually.

There are significantly fewer people riding bicycles than vehicles, but about 2 percent of motor vehicle accident deaths are among bicyclists.

Most deaths that result from bike accidents occur in urban areas. This statistic shows that cities with a higher volume of vehicles are more dangerous to bicyclists.

Wisconsin Cycling Accidents

According to the Wisconsin DOT (Department of Transportation), bicycle accident injuries and fatalities in the State occur every 10.2 hours. A state-funded bicycle safety study found that 60% of all adult bicycling accidents are caused by motorist error, not cyclists.

Over 540 bicyclist injuries were reported in Wisconsin in 2020, which included 12 bicyclist fatalities. While the injury bike accident rate dropped from the previous five years, the deaths remained nearly identical.

Both bicyclists and vehicle drivers must be aware of their surroundings and stay focused on the road to prevent future accidents.

Additionally, bicyclists must take many precautions in case a negligent driver crashes into them. With over 85 miles of bike lanes in the City of Milwaukee, there is a high risk that bike accidents will occur.

girl injured in a bicycle crash with a car

Types of Bicycle Accidents

There are different causes of bicycle accidents, which can be attributed to the vehicle’s driver and the bicyclist. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the two main types of bicycle accidents are falling and getting struck by a vehicle.

Falls can result from distracted bicyclists, less than ideal road conditions, or speeding. Bicyclists must be very cautious when riding a bike because their body is vulnerable, and a fall can lead to serious injuries.

Similar distractions and conditions can cause a vehicle driver to hit a bicyclist. A driver must focus more on the vehicle and not notice someone riding a bicycle.

Causes of Bike Accidents Involving Motor Vehicles

Most bicycle accidents occur because the driver is distracted and not paying attention to the surroundings. There are instances where a driver will not check their blind spot for other vehicles.

A bicycle is smaller and less likely to be spotted by other drivers immediately. When drivers are unaware of their surroundings, they may turn into, sideswipe, or rear-end a bicyclist.

Drivers must focus solely on the road and surroundings to prevent an accident with bicyclists. According to an analysis by a traffic safety researcher from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, more than a third of recent bicycle accident deaths have resulted from a vehicle striking the back of a bicycle.

Distractions such as texting or talking on the phone or with passengers are the leading cause of bicycle accidents caused by vehicles. Some of the common causes of bicycle accidents include:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Intoxicated driving
Road conditions
Adverse weather
Ignoring stop signals
Improper turns
Illegal lane changes
Failing to yield

Get A Legal Team To Help. Free Consultations with Experienced Lawyer!

Free case evaluation

injured bicycle rider on road

Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicyclists can sustain severe injuries if they are involved in a vehicle accident because their body is exposed. A fall from a bicycle or the impact of a vehicle on a person’s body can result in bruises, broken bones, and even death.

Some of the common injuries caused by being involved in a bike accident are:

Bruises
Cuts and scratches
Fractures
Traumatic brain injuries
Concussions
Spinal cord injuries

Head Injuries

A common injury in cycling accidents is a head injury, including lacerations to the head, a concussion, or fractures to the facial features. People may feel that a bicycle helmet will prevent head injuries, but it reduces the severity of the injuries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a head injury is the most common cause of death in bicycle accidents. Approximately 60% of deaths from bicycle accidents involve a head injury.

There are also many cases where head injuries will cause permanent disabilities in victims of bicycle accidents.

Bone Fractures

A bike accident with a motor vehicle can fracture any body part. How your body impacts the vehicle or road when it falls can result in fractures to the skull, arms, legs, and back.

Fractures are dangerous because surgery may be needed to protect nerves, organs, and tissue. Along with head injuries, fractures can occur in facial features such as the nose or chin.

Bicycle Safety

Unfortunately, many bicycle incidents occur when a driver is inattentive or driving recklessly. The steps listed below can help you avoid getting involved in an accident.

The following safety precautions may help you avoid an incident but can also lessen the severity of your injuries if you are involved in a crash.

Bicycle helmets: Wearing a helmet provides physical protection to the head to avoid a laceration or brain injury.

Bright, fluorescent clothing: Wearing fluorescent clothing will allow you to be more visible to drivers nearby

Reflective clothing can help drivers see you at night but can also help you be more visible to drivers during the day.

Follow traffic laws: Drivers must treat bicycles like motor vehicles when sharing the road. The bicyclist must obey traffic signals and rules to avoid serious injury or wrongful death.

compensation from insurance company for bicycle accident

What Should You Do If You Are Involved in A Bike Accident

A bike accident will likely involve injuries, and you should seek medical treatment. Even if you feel fine and have no visible injuries, you should wait for emergency medical services or visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Initially, you may not feel pain, but the pain will often appear within the next few hours or days and can indicate you have an injury. You should also call the police or have someone call 911 to report the accident.

This step is essential because police officers will document all pertinent information in an accident report, which helps file a claim with the insurance. Police reports are not the only what to document what happened. You can also note your traumatic experience in your personal records or share it with an attorney.

You will want to take photographs of the property damage, vehicle license plates, driver’s licenses, and insurance information. Documenting witness information for a person who saw how the accident occurred can also be vital to a bicycle accident claim.

It can also be beneficial to speak with a bicycle accident attorney who can help protect your rights and get maximum compensation for medical expenses and suffering.

What Should I Do If a Loved One Died In A Bicycle Accident?

It can be difficult for the family to handle a situation where their loved one died in a bike accident. In Wisconsin, the decedent’s personal representative and their immediate family members can file a wrongful death claim.

The personal representative is the person who is appointed the executor in the deceased person’s will. A probate court will assign a personal representative if there is no will.

If the defendant is found liable for damages, the court will order that damages and compensation be paid to the deceased’s family.

Why You Should Consult with Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Personal injury attorneys experienced in protecting the rights of victims injured in bicycle and car accidents can assist you with your claim. Consulting with a law firm can allow you to understand your options and the types of financial recovery you could receive in a settlement.

It is crucial to consult with a personal injury law firm about your accident because the defendant’s insurance company will likely attempt to contact you before a lawyer represents you. An adjuster may ask for a statement and determine that their policyholder is not at fault.

You may think you are liable for the accident after speaking with the adjuster, but you should consult with a law firm that can further investigate the case and talk with medical experts to calculate the claim’s worth. According to the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 60% of adult bike accidents are caused by motorist error.

Even when the insurance company accepts liability, they may attempt to convince you to take a low settlement offer. Reputable personal injury law firms will have the experience necessary to negotiate and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.

Consulting with bicycle accident lawyers can help you hold the defendant and their insurance company responsible for damages. Our personal injury attorneys will provide a free consultation regarding your claim.

Time is Limited to File a Claim. Get Legal Representation Now!

Free case evaluation

What Kind of Financial Compensation Can You Get From A Bicycle Accident Case

The very serious injuries you may sustain from a bicycle accident will likely result in extended treatment, time off from work, and overall lower quality of life. The type of injury you have can require long-term treatment and surgeries.

Medical bills for treatment, prescriptions, and testing can add up quickly. Your injuries may prevent you from working but can also lead to losing a job due to an injury that leaves you permanently disabled.

Your family may also suffer if they depend on your income and help with household duties. The driver’s insurance company will investigate who was liable for the accident.

Once liability is established, you can pursue compensation through the claim or a lawsuit. Depending on the damages and factors involved in your case, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Emotional anguish
Future medical expenses
Replacement of damaged personal belongings, including a bicycle
Assisted-living devices and equipment
Funeral costs in wrongful death cases
Loss of companionship
Loss of financial support

Consult With a Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer in a Free Consultation

Being involved in a collision with a larger vehicle while riding your bicycle can be A traumatic experience because You do not have the same safety features as a car or truck regarding the driver and passengers. It can also be intimidating to handle the legal process of a bicycle accident case.

Due to the motorist’s negligence, you will likely suffer injuries and face numerous medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, and the need for ongoing financial support. You should consider obtaining the legal services of experienced Milwaukee bicycle accident attorneys.

The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team are experienced in handling severe, complex bicycle accident cases. We will provide you with the best options for your case and guide you through the legal process.

Call our Injury Lawyer Team law office for a free consultation with a reputable Milwaukee bicycle accident attorney. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our law firm remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Resources: