Attorneys Protecting Injured Motorcyclists In Wisconsin
A motorcycle accident can change your life in an instant. Riders lack the protection of a vehicle frame, which means even a relatively minor collision can result in serious harm, including road rash, head injuries, broken bones and spinal cord damage. At Capital Law Group, S.C., our motorcycle accident attorneys understand how devastating these injuries can be, and we are here to help riders in Madison and throughout Wisconsin pursue the compensation they deserve.
Common Causes And Liability In Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often stem from a driver’s failure to see or account for a rider on the road. Common causes our motorcycle accident lawyers see regularly include:
- Left-turn accidents where a driver fails to yield to an oncoming motorcyclist at an intersection
- Lane change collisions caused by a driver failing to check blind spots before merging
- Road hazards including potholes, loose gravel and debris that pose a unique danger to two-wheeled vehicles
- Distracted or drunk driving that delays a driver’s reaction time around motorcyclists
- Defective motorcycle parts or maintenance issues that contribute to a loss of control
Identifying the cause of your accident is the first step toward establishing who is legally responsible for your injuries.
Wisconsin Motorcycle Laws And How They Affect Your Claim
A few Wisconsin-specific laws can directly affect how a motorcycle accident claim is evaluated. Understanding them in advance helps you anticipate the arguments an insurer might raise:
- Helmet laws: Wisconsin only requires riders under 18 and those with an instructional permit to wear a helmet. Insurers sometimes try to use a rider’s choice not to wear a helmet as grounds to argue the injuries were more severe than they should have been, which can directly affect the value of a claim
- Lane splitting: Wisconsin prohibits riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic. If lane splitting was a factor in your accident, it can affect how fault is assigned
- Modified comparative fault: Wisconsin allows you to recover compensation as long as you are found less than 51% at fault for the accident. If you are found to share some responsibility, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
A motorcycle accident attorney can help you understand how these rules apply to your specific situation and work to minimize any fault attributed to you.
Talk To A Madison Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of a motorcycle accident alone. Call 608-471-5365 or reach out online for a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer at Capital Law Group, S.C..