By their very nature, motorcycles are less safe than other vehicles, but that doesn’t mean that motorcyclists should automatically be held liable for any accident in which they are involved. In fact, motorcyclists generally drive more cautiously and are more aware of their surroundings than other drivers. Usually, motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligent actions of a driver of an automobile.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
According to the Wisconsin DMV, the state experienced 2,250 motorcycle accidents in 2016, and these crashes resulted in 1,973 injuries. That’s an injury rate of 88 percent. For all of 2016, only 26 percent of all vehicle crashes resulted in injury. The higher rate of injuries for motorcycle accidents is directly related to how motorcycles provide far less protection for the rider than a traditional motor vehicle. However, that doesn’t mean crashes and injuries are automatically the biker’s fault.
Motorcycles are smaller vehicles, which makes them more difficult to see, but this isn’t the biker’s fault or an excuse for other motorists to collide with motorcycles. When other drivers act negligently on the road and cause an accident, a court will likely hold them liable for any injuries involved.
Other causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driving after dusk without lights
- Failure to yield right of way
- Aggressive driving
Drivers involved in accidents with motorcyclists often claim that the biker came out of nowhere. More often than not, the reality is that the other driver simply wasn’t paying attention. Because of this negligent behavior, you suffered an injury and your life has changed forever. The negligent driver should be held responsible for the damage that their negligent actions caused.
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At Groth Law Firm S.C., our experienced legal team has helped many clients just like you get back on their feet and back on their bike. We encourage you to read our client testimonials. We have the right experience to help you through this challenging and emotional time in your life.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, your injuries can range from mild to deadly. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis
- Death
Bikers involved in accidents with other motor vehicles often suffer severe injuries, because motorcycles provide less protection than other vehicles. As your attorney, part of our job is to ensure that insurance companies, judges, and juries understand why you ride your bike, that it’s not inherently dangerous to do so, and that the accident and resulting injuries weren’t your fault.
The long-term impact of your injuries can stretch well beyond the immediate aftermath of your accident. You may be out of work for a long time or possibly forever. You may have a diminished quality of life because of your injuries. You may also find yourself depressed because of how your life has changed. These are all important injuries that you should not ignore. Following any accident, you should see a doctor right away, even if you believe you are uninjured. After seeking medical treatment, you should contact a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer who knows the law and can help determine your eligibility for compensation.
Collecting Damages
After a motorcycle accident, your life will change forever. Even if you escape permanent physical damage, you may still struggle with mental issues and flashbacks. You shouldn’t ignore any of these symptoms. All of your injuries are important and require proper care.
As your legal representatives, we will fight for you to collect the following damages:
- Motorcycle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Loss of companionship
- Rehabilitation costs
- Past, present, and future medical bills
Even the slightest of injuries can incur serious medical bills. Because of this, we help you determine what your projected costs are and work hard to settle for a fair amount. If settlement proves impossible, we will take your case to trial. You did not cause the accident and you should not be on the hook for any of your costs.
The insurance company will probably offer you a quick initial settlement hoping you jump at the chance to get some quick cash. Insurance representatives likely know that you’re out of work and have medical bills piling on top of your regular, everyday bills. Their job is to get you to settle for as little as possible.
Our job is to help you calculate your future costs and ensure adequate compensation. Your rehabilitation and medical costs can quickly rise into the tens of thousands of dollars, and potentially even higher, depending on the type of injury that you’ve sustained. You don’t want to end up having to pay these costs out of pocket; rather, the parties responsible for your injuries should pay these costs.
Motorcycle accident cases are complex, which is why it’s important to have a legal team that you trust. Whether your case settles for a fair amount outside of court or goes all the way to trial, Groth Law Firm, S.C. has experienced attorneys on which you can rely to defend your rights.
If You Were Hurt in a Wauwatosa Motorcycle Crash, Contact Groth Law Firm, S.C., Today
If you sustained an injury in a Wauwatosa motorcycle accident, you should focus all of your efforts on getting better. You should retain an attorney to worry about the legal complexities of your claim.
Meeting with us won’t cost you a dime. We handle cases on a contingent fee basis, which means we only collect attorney’s fees if we secure compensation for you. We believe in our clients, and we believe we can help. Our job is to fight to protect your rights so that you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
When we meet with you, we will give you a full and complete case evaluation. We will walk you through the process ahead and discuss with you how we intend to help you collect damages from the negligent driver. We dedicate our practice to personal injury law, so we can help clients just like you. Call Groth Law Firm, S.C. today at (414) 240-0707, or contact us online, to schedule your free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.