Did you or someone you love get hurt in a motorcycle accident in Wisconsin? If so, you might be wondering what steps to take next. A lawyer from LawtonCates can guide you through the process of filing a claim and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Since 1958, LawtonCates has been helping people just like you. Our team understands your challenges and we are ready to help you demand accountability and fair compensation for your losses.
Don’t let the complexity of the legal system add to your stress. Contact LawtonCates today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us show you how a Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you with your injury case.
Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle collision, working through the legal system can feel overwhelming. An experienced lawyer from LawtonCates can take the pressure off you by:
- Evaluating your claim to determine its value
- Gathering evidence from the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses who saw the accident
- Interpreting complicated legal documents and jargon for you
- Filing all legal and insurance paperwork correctly and on time
- Handling all communications with the insurance companies
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement
- Protecting you from unfair settlement tactics used by insurance companies
- Arranging for expert testimony to support your motorcycle accident injury claim
- Challenging evidence presented by the opposing side
- Filing a lawsuit on your behalf if negotiations fail
- Representing you in court, if necessary, to fight for your rights
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Recovering from a motorcycle accident involves more than just seeking medical treatment. Protecting your rights and laying a strong foundation for your injury claim requires careful attention to several legal and practical matters. Here’s what you should do if you get hurt in a Wisconsin motorcycle accident:
- If you haven’t already, visit a doctor as soon as possible for a full medical evaluation.
- Keep a record of all medical visits, treatments, and expenses.
- Document your injuries by taking photos.
- Inform your insurance company about the accident.
- Write down everything you remember about the accident as soon as you can.
- Collect contact information from any witnesses.
- Follow all medical advice and treatment plans from your healthcare providers.
- Save all receipts related to the accident, including those for medication and transportation.
- Avoid discussing the accident details on social media.
- Get a copy of the accident report from the police.
- Track any work you miss or wages you lose due to the accident.
- Record your daily pain levels and how the injuries affect your life.
- Consult a motorcycle accident lawyer in Wisconsin for legal advice.
- Do not sign any documents from insurance companies before speaking with your lawyer.
How We Investigate Motorcycle Accident Cases
To build a strong case for your motorcycle accident claim, our lawyers will meticulously gather evidence that paints a clear picture of the event and the harm you suffered. This evidence is essential in proving the extent of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and the impact on your life. Here are some key types of evidence we might use to prove your case:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Surveillance or dashcam video footage
- The official police accident report
- Witness statements
- Medical records detailing your injuries
- Expert testimony about your injuries and prognosis
- Photographs of your injuries
- Receipts for medical treatment and medications
- Documentation of missed work and lost wages
- Forensic analysis of the crash site
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
- Your damaged motorcycle and safety gear
- Phone records that might indicate distracted driving
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) reports
- Traffic and weather reports from the day of the accident
Compensation You Could Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle wreck, you might be wondering what kind of compensation you can ask for. When you file your claim, you can seek motorcycle accident compensation for the following:
- Medical bills for treatment you’ve already received
- Costs for future medical care related to your injuries
- Wages lost from not being able to work
- Compensation for future earnings lost if you can’t return to work
- Pain, suffering, and decreased quality of life
- Loss of companionship if your relationships suffer
- Expenses for travel to medical appointments
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Property damage
How a Motorcycle Accident Differs from a Car Accident
Motorcycle accidents are significantly different from car accidents in several ways, from the risks involved to the outcomes of collisions. The following are among the key distinctions:
- Injury Severity – Motorcyclists often suffer more severe injuries than car occupants in accidents. Without the protective frame of a car, riders are more exposed to direct impacts from vehicles and the road. This exposure can lead to more serious injuries, such as road rash, broken bones, or head injuries, even with protective gear.
- Visibility Issues – Motorcycles are smaller and less visible on the road than cars. This decreased visibility makes it harder for other drivers to see motorcycles, especially in poor weather conditions or at night. As a result, motorcycles are more likely to be involved in accidents caused by other drivers’ failure to notice them.
- Stability and Control – Motorcycles have two wheels, which makes them less stable than four-wheeled vehicles. This instability increases the risk of accidents, particularly in adverse weather conditions, on uneven road surfaces, or during sudden maneuvers.
- Ejection Risk – In a motorcycle accident, the rider is at a high risk of being thrown off the bike. This risk of ejection can lead to severe injuries as the rider might collide with other objects, vehicles, or the road itself. In contrast, car occupants are usually restrained by seat belts, which reduce the likelihood of ejection.
Several different parties could be liable for a motorcycle accident, depending on how and why the accident occurred. Those who could be liable include the following:
- The other driver involved in the accident
- The manufacturer of the motorcycle
- The manufacturer of the other vehicle involved
- The local government or municipality responsible for road safety
- The owner of the property where the accident occurred
- A bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the driver
- A motorcycle maintenance or repair shop
Yes. In Wisconsin, you can still claim compensation if you are partly at fault for a motorcycle accident. The state’s comparative negligence law allows you to get money for the harm you suffered in the accident as long as you are not more responsible than the other party. Under the statute, if the accident was 50 percent or less your fault, you could still receive compensation.
However, it’s important to note that the amount you can recover decreases by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 30 percent responsible for the accident, the total compensation amount available to you would decrease by 30 percent. This system ensures that even if you share some of the blame, you can still get financial help for your recovery expenses.
In Wisconsin, you generally have three years to file your motorcycle accident lawsuit against the responsible parties. By contacting an attorney at LawtonCates, you’ll find out the filing date specific to your case. If you don’t take legal action within this time, you could lose your chance to get compensation in court for the harm you suffered in the accident.
A Wisconsin motorcycle accident attorney from LawtonCates knows how urgent it is to handle your claim promptly. They can gather all the necessary information and documents to file on time, then meet all relevant deadlines to get your lawsuit moving forward.
Motorcycle accidents come in various forms, each with unique circumstances and outcomes. Here are some common types of motorcycle accidents:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end crashes
- Left-turn accidents
- Right-hook accidents
- Sideswipe incidents
- T-bone collisions
- Intersection accidents
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups
- Rollover accidents
- Dooring accidents
Motorcycle accidents result from a wide range of factors, from human error to environmental conditions. Frequent causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving, such as texting and cell phone use
- Driving under the influence
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper turns
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Following too closely
- Road rage incidents
- Poor road conditions
- Mechanical failures
- Tire blowouts
- Lack of driver experience
- Visibility issues
- Running red lights or stop signs
Motorcycle riders can suffer from a wide range of crash injuries due to their lack of physical protection. Examples of possible motorcycle crash injuries include the following:
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Dislocations
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Leg and knee injuries
- Arm and shoulder injuries
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Psychological trauma