Motorcycle Accidents

Madison Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles offer a convenient, efficient, and fun way for riders to get around Madison, Wisconsin. However, riding a motorcycle comes with risks. They are smaller than other vehicles, which means that other road users do not always see motorcyclists. This lack of visibility increases the possibility of collisions.

Moreover, due to the lack of protection, a motorcycle crash may leave a rider with catastrophic and even fatal injuries. Survivors may face overwhelming medical expenses, forced time off work, and debilitating psychological trauma.

If you have suffered injuries from a motorcycle collision in Madison, you may be eligible to recover considerable compensation for your losses. Working with a Madison motorcycle accident lawyer at LawtonCates can optimize your chance of recovering the compensation you deserve and holding the at-fault party accountable for their wrongdoing.

Since 1958, our attorneys have been fighting for the rights of injured individuals in South Central Wisconsin, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you. Call us today or contact us online for a free case review with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Madison.

Benefits of Hiring a Madison, WI, Attorney for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Having an experienced Madison motorcycle accident lawyer from LawtonCates on your side can increase your chances of recovering full and fair compensation. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation, identify all liable parties, calculate damages, negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, and take your case to trial if needed. They understand complex legal processes and rules of evidence they can use to optimize your recovery. Best of all, your attorney only gets paid if they secure a financial award in your case, so there is no upfront cost to you.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Being involved in a motorcycle wreck can be an immense shock. You might feel confused about how to manage the days and weeks following the crash as you begin to come to terms with what your life now looks like.

Taking the following steps can improve your chances of healing and recovering the compensation you deserve:

• Follow Your Doctor’s Orders – Adhering to your medical professional’s advice will demonstrate that the hospital expenses you incur during your healing process are reasonable and necessary.
• Maintain All Medical Records – Keep copies of doctor’s notes, test results, scans, and medical bills to prove the nature of your injuries and the costs of your treatment.
• Gather Proof of Missed Time at Work – Documents such as payslips, tax forms, and correspondence with your HR department can help you prove how much income the accident has cost you.
• Avoid Social Media – Posting about the accident or your injuries can harm your claim, as the insurer can use anything you post against you.
• Do Not Accept the Initial Settlement Offer – The insurance adjuster may try to settle your claim quickly, but their offer will probably be far less than your case is worth.
• Consult with an Experienced Madison Motorcycle Accident Attorney – Working with a skilled legal professional from LawtonCates can help you recover more significant compensation.

How We Investigate Motorcycle Accident Cases

Our attorneys take every step necessary to prove which party is liable for your injuries and the extent of your losses. Our investigations often include the following:

We use the evidence we obtain to build a compelling argument, attributing fault to the parties who caused the accident and demonstrating the full impact of your losses. Our exhaustive investigations have helped recover millions for injured individuals throughout Wisconsin.

Compensation You Could Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

A successful motorcycle accident claim may allow you to recover compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, doctor’s appointments, diagnostic scans, surgeries, assistive devices, and medications
• Lost income from missed time at work while recovering or attending medical appointments
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries result in disabilities that require you to work in a lower-paying job
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Property damage, including the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle

Consult our motorcycle accident law firm to understand how much your case might be worth.

How a Motorcycle Accident Differs from a Car Accident

While all traffic accidents can cause injuries, motorcycle accidents can be particularly severe. With no vehicle walls to protect them, motorcyclists often absorb the full impact of a crash with a 4,000-pound — or heavier — vehicle before colliding with the ground.

According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, about 2 percent of automobile collisions in the Badger State result in serious injuries. However, when you look at motorcycle crashes, that figure jumps to almost 29 percent.

These figures demonstrate the potentially devastating nature of motorcycle accidents. They also underscore why injured motorcyclists can often recover substantial compensation for their losses.

Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Wreck

Which parties are liable depends on how the accident happened. For multi-vehicle crashes, we examine the actions of all drivers involved. Other potentially liable parties can include:

• Commercial trucking companies, if their driver caused the wreck
• Businesses, who could be responsible for driveway accidents
• Product manufacturers, if a defective bike part caused or worsened the injuries

Once we have identified all at-fault parties, we will work to hold all of them accountable. In many cases, seeking damages from multiple sources can increase your chances of recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Could You Recover Compensation If You’re Partly to Blame for a Motorcycle Accident?

Wisconsin follows modified comparative negligence rules. This means you can still recover damages for your injuries if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as you were less than 51 percent responsible for causing the accident. However, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a court deemed you to be 10 percent at fault for the crash, you would only be eligible to receive 90 percent of your compensable losses.

Insurance adjusters often use comparative negligence to pin some of the blame on you and reduce your compensation package. But a motorcycle accident lawyer in Madison from LawtonCates can fight to find the proof that can minimize your share of liability.

How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s personal injury statute of limitations generally allows injured individuals three years from the accident date to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you try to file after this deadline, the court will probably dismiss your case.

This is why it’s crucial to contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from LawtonCates as soon as possible. This way, you will know the filing date specific to your case to make sure that all filings are submitted on time. Your lawyer will also be able to collect evidence in your case before it disappears and interview witnesses to the accident before memories fade.

Common Types and Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents in Wisconsin happen for many different reasons. However, the attorneys at LawtonCates have noted that certain factors are more prevalent than others. Some frequent accident types include:

Determining exactly why the accident happened is crucial in identifying the at-fault parties. After thoroughly investigating the accident’s causes, our attorneys will present your case to the insurance company and negotiate aggressively for the compensation you deserve.

Typical Injuries Resulting from a Motorcycle Collision

A motorcycle crash can cause devastating and potentially fatal injuries, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injury – Even if a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, the force of impact can lead to severe brain damage. TBIs can cause long-term or permanent physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can cause lifelong paralysis below the site of the injury.
• Broken or Crushed Bones – When a motorcyclist is hit by a larger vehicle or crushed by the weight of their bike, their bones may suffer excruciating fractures that may never heal to their pre-accident condition.
• Internal Organ Damage – The force of impact can cause vital organs to rupture, requiring immediate medical intervention to avoid fatal consequences.
• Psychological Trauma – In addition to physical injuries, motorcycle accidents can lead to debilitating psychological harm, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias.

These consequences of an accident often require considerable medical intervention and come at a significant financial and emotional expense. Working with a lawyer can optimize the chances of success in your motorcycle accident case so you can get the help you need and move on with dignity.

Contact a Madison, WI, Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

The attorneys at LawtonCates understand how challenging life can feel after suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident. We want you to know that you are not alone. Our experienced legal team can give you the support and advocacy you need, and we will fight for the motorcycle accident compensation you deserve.

With us, you’re not just a case number — you’re someone who needs help getting back to your life following an accident that wasn’t your fault. That’s why we’re dedicated to giving each of our clients the same individual attention and care we would give our own loved ones.

Call LawtonCates or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation case review with a Madison motorcycle accident attorney. Let us help you get your life back on track.