Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries or death because of the lack of protection a motorcycle provides compared to a car. When these accidents occur in crowded areas, such as Milwaukee, the danger to other motorists and pedestrians increases significantly.
Drivers need to be aware of motorcycles and share the road safely, but too often, reckless driving leads to devastating accidents.
Were you injured in a motorcycle accident? The legal services provided by the personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, are legal advocates for motorcycle accident victims harmed by someone else’s negligence.
Table of Contents
Contact us to connect with a Milwaukee motorcycle accident attorney and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with your motorcycle accident lawyers remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 5,000 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2020. That’s a tragic 11% increase from the previous year, with the highest motorcycle fatalities in nearly a decade.
These fatalities account for more than 18% of all traffic deaths in the US, even though motorcycles make up just 3% of all registered vehicles. Other data reveals:
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were 1,531 accidents involving a motorcycle in Wisconsin in 2020. The data reveals a 9% increase from the 1,411 motorcycle accidents in 2019.
The following year, there were 144 fatalities and 1,387 injuries due to motorcycle or other moped-type motor vehicle accidents in Wisconsin. These numbers are concerning, and it is crucial to understand why motorcycle accidents happen more frequently in Wisconsin.
Motorcycles are an efficient and affordable way to get around a congested city, but they can also be very dangerous, leading to accidents with injuries and fatalities. Many accidents occur in urban environments, with many more obstacles and hazards than on a freeway.
Some common causes of accidents involving a motorcycle in urban environments are:
Bikers and passengers who ride motorcycles are at an increased risk for severe injury or death because motorcycles provide very little protection in the event of a collision. Some of the most common injuries from accidents while riding a motorcycle are life-altering and require extensive medical treatment.
Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
Due to these major injuries, most insurance companies will require a high premium to cover medical and crash-related expenses, allowing the motor vehicle to be street legal.
Motorcycle accident victims are often severely injured and can incur significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. In some motorcycle accident cases, the injuries can be so severe that the victim is left unable to work or earn a living.
A civil claim can be filed to recover compensation from the responsible party’s insurer or their own insurance company. The monetary compensation can help injury victims get the financial assistance they need to cover their costs and move on with their lives.
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious, life-changing injuries. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, it is essential to understand your legal rights and options for compensation.
A personal injury compensation claim can help you recover the costs of medical treatment, lost income, and other damages related to your accident. The basics of an injured person claim involve:
Part of the legal services provided by your Milwaukee County motorcycle accident lawyer is that they will gather evidence from various sources, including:
To build a strong motorcycle accident case, your experienced attorney might hire an accident reconstruction expert. This professional can help recreate how the accident happened by studying the evidence and creating a report.
For you to recover damages, your Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers must be able to prove that another driver was at fault for causing the motorcycle accident. There are several ways to do this including:
In some cases, more than one factor might have contributed to the accident. For example, if the driver at fault was speeding and ran a red light, insurance companies and motorcycle accident attorneys will consider both factors causing the motorcycle crash.
Once the fault has been established, you will need to calculate your damages to determine the value of your claim. This includes calculating:
In some motorcycle accident cases, punitive damages might also be available. These are designed to punish the at-fault driver for reckless or careless behavior, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Insurance companies typically do not offer a fair settlement, but you have the option to seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. This involves:
The at-fault driver then has a certain amount of time to file a response to the complaint. The court might enter a default judgment in your favor if no response is filed within the designated timeframe.
Once the response is filed, the discovery process will begin. This involves both sides exchanging information and evidence related to the case. After discovery is complete, both sides will have the opportunity to file motions with the court.
These motions might involve the defendant asking the court to dismiss the case or exclude specific evidence from trial.
If the case is not dismissed and no settlement is reached, it will go to trial. At trial, each side will present its evidence and argument to a judge or jury, who will then decide whether the at-fault driver is liable and, if so, how much the at-fault driver should pay in damages.
These accidents can be devastating, and insurance companies will often blame the motorcyclist for the accident to avoid paying claims or get away with paying as little as possible. Don’t let them take advantage of you. Speak with an attorney who understands the law and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
There are numerous steps motorcycle riders can take to avoid a crash involving severe or fatal injuries. Watching for other vehicles can help identify a negligent driver. Other steps include:
If you are a driver in Milwaukee WI, be alert for motorcyclists and give them plenty of space when passing or turning.
Motorcycle crashes resulting in fatalities devastate families. Qualifying family members who lost loved ones in fatal crashes can file compensation claims seeking maximum compensation from those responsible for the motorcycle accident.
However, these lawsuits are complicated, and legal representation by an experienced lawyer is necessary, especially if more than one person was severely hurt or died in the crash.
Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers can determine all potential defendants that might include:
The goal of any wrongful death claim is to assess a monetary value on the life taken and punish those responsible for the crash.
Compensation in a motorcycle riding death lawsuit can include:
Punitive damages also are available in some cases, However, Wisconsin law limits the amount of punitive damages awarded in a motorcycle accident case.
It would help if you spoke with an experienced Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Did you suffer severe injuries in a Milwaukee motorcycle accident or lose a loved one through someone else’s negligence? Our legal team specializes in injured person cases involving motorcycle, moped, minibike, or truck accidents, car crashes, and commercial truck wrecks.
Contact us to speak with our affiliate Milwaukee, WI motorcycle accident attorneys today through a free consultation. Let us review your personal injury case to determine its value based on your ongoing medical costs, past medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys accept all personal injury cases on a contingency fee agreement. This promise insurer shall pay no upfront fees until your motorcycle accident lawyer resolves your case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.