Ensuring Motorcycle Safety and Navigating Through Accident Claims in Wisconsin

Motorcycle accidents – especially high-speed accidents – can potentially cause serious physical injuries, some of which may be fatal. Generally, the faster the vehicles involved in a motorcycle crash, the higher the chances of an accident victim suffering a permanent or deadly injury. Motorcycle riders are especially at risk for serious injuries in an accident due to their exposure to the ground and surrounding environment. 

If you or a person you love suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash resulting from another driver’s negligence, you may have legal options. The knowledgeable Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyers at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. Accident & Injury Lawyers could meet with you to discuss your accident and determine if you are eligible to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. 

If so, we could file the appropriate legal claim on your behalf, negotiate with insurance company representatives, and pursue a favorable settlement offer. Otherwise, we could file a personal injury lawsuit in the state court system and help you pursue a favorable litigation result in your case, such as at a civil jury trial or binding arbitration proceeding. 

Contact our office to set up your free case evaluation and consultation with a member of our team. We can answer your questions and advise on your options. 

 

Your Odds of Motorcycle Accident Survival: the Good, the Bad, and the Unknowable

Riding a motorcycle can be an incredibly exhilarating experience. However, a nightmare can ensue when other people drive negligently or recklessly and cause a collision. Wisconsin reported 1,921 motorcycle accidents last year, with at least 80 percent resulting in injuries, severe injuries, or death.

A motorcycle rider’s chances of surviving a high-speed crash often depend on a variety of circumstances, including the following:

• Whether the motorcyclist is wearing a durable helmet
• Whether the motorcyclist is wearing protective motorcycle gear
• Whether the motorcycle itself is in good repair
• Whether the cyclist falls off their bike in the accident
• Whether the cyclist strikes the ground – and if so, how they land on the ground
• Whether the motorcycle flips over before striking the ground
• The number of other vehicles involved in the crash
• The type of motorcycle accident that happens (e.g., a rear-end collision versus a head-on collision or some other type of accident)

Whenever motorcyclists wear sturdy helmets and other motorcycle gear, they have a better chance of surviving a high-speed collision. Similarly, they are more likely to suffer non-fatal injuries if they remain on their bike in an accident – rather than striking the ground. 

Although a cyclist can control the clothing and other protective gear they wear, they cannot control the negligent actions and inactions of other motor vehicle operators, adding uncertainty to a motorcycle accident’s outcome.

 

Tipping the Survival Odds in Your Favor

Motorcyclists can take several important steps to tip the odds of survival in their favor in a motorcycle accident scenario. Those steps include:

• Taking their motorcycle in for routine maintenance work (especially on brakes and other vehicle components)
• Following all traffic laws while operating a motorcycle on the road
• Refraining from driving in inclement weather
• Watching out for other drivers
• Wearing a helmet and other protective gear at all times while on the road

Sometimes, no matter how carefully a motorcyclist operates their vehicle, serious accidents can happen due to others’ negligence. When these accidents occur, consulting with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Wisconsin immediately is important. The skilled legal team at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. Accident & Injury Lawyers could help you file a claim or lawsuit against the other driver responsible for your accident and pursue the full monetary compensation you deserve.

 

Motorcycle Helmets

Motorcycle helmet laws in Wisconsin are extremely lenient. Although people under 18 (along with operators with motorcycle instruction permits and their passengers) must wear helmets, most adults have no helmet requirements.

Just because the law in Wisconsin does not require adults to wear motorcycle helmets, however, does not mean that you should not wear one. The right helmet can make all the difference in determining whether you live or die in a high-speed crash. A sturdy and well-made motorcycle helmet will protect your head, skull, brain, and face in a serious accident. To offer you maximum protection, a motorcycle helmet should be made of durable materials and cover your entire head and face. It should also fit comfortably over your head and not be too loose or tight. 

By wearing a sturdy, well-made helmet, you can help protect yourself against traumatic brain damage and other potentially fatal injuries resulting from a high-speed crash. 

Motorcycle Safety Courses

To enhance your chances of surviving a motorcycle accident, taking part in a reputable motorcycle safety course may be a good idea. A motorcycle safety course can teach you about the following:

• The rules of the road that you need to be aware of to operate your motorcycle in a careful and safe manner
• How to go about purchasing a quality motorcycle helmet and learning what differentiates a good-quality helmet from a poorly constructed, low-quality helmet
• The types of protective clothing you should wear while riding
• How to properly maintain your motorcycle, including the tires, handlebars, windshields, and other motorcycle components
• How to look out for other drivers and operate a motorcycle defensively
• Techniques for operating your motorcycle in adverse road or weather conditions
• Steps to take in an emergency situation that arises while on the road

By enrolling in one of these courses, you may be able to lessen your chances of becoming involved in a serious motorcycle accident. 

 

Making Good Choices 

One of the most important steps to lessen your chances of suffering serious injuries in an accident is to wear a durable motorcycle helmet and other protective gear while on the road. Obviously, it is also important that you follow all rules of the road that apply to motorcyclists. 

However, no matter how carefully you operate your motorcycle, accidents can still occur when other people drive carelessly under the circumstances. Some of the most common ways that other drivers may cause motorcycle accidents include:

• Violating posted speed limits
• Engaging in inattentive and distracted driving
• Exhibiting road rage and reckless driving maneuvers
• Failing to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist at the proper time
• Failing to use mirrors and turn signals while driving
• Operating their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OWI)

If you suffered injuries in a high-speed motorcycle crash that resulted from another driver’s negligent behavior, you must speak with a knowledgeable Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyer right away. At Mingo & Yankala, S.C. Accident & Injury Lawyers, our skilled attorneys can discuss your accident case with you and help you pursue the full monetary compensation you deserve for your injuries. 

How Lawyers Help Motorcycle Accident Victims  

The skilled legal team at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. Accident & Injury Lawyers can be an invaluable help in maximizing the settlement or litigation compensation you recover in your case. Specifically, we may be able to assist you with all of the following:

• Retaining an expert accident reconstructionist or medical expert to testify as a witness in your case
• Gathering the documents necessary to prove your case, including police reports, medical treatment records, witness statements, medical bills, photographs of the accident scene, camera footage of the accident, photographs of property damage, and injury photographs
• Assembling documents into a settlement demand package and sending the demand package, along with a demand letter, to the insurance company handling your claim
• Aggressively negotiating with insurance company representatives for favorable settlement compensation in your case
• Filing a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to offer you the fair monetary compensation you deserve
• Representing you at all litigation proceedings in your case, including discovery depositions, settlement conferences, jury trials, and/or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings

 

Wrongful Death Cases for Motorcycle Accidents  

Last year, 80 motorcyclists died in Wisconsin crashes. This is a substantial decrease from 120 in 2021 and 112 in 2020, but still an alarming number of fatalities.

If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident that resulted from another driver’s wrongful act(s), you or another family member may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit seeking various damages. Recoverable damages in a wrongful death case typically depend upon the circumstances, but they may include monetary compensation for:

• Burial and funeral expenses
• Loss of the decedent’s future earnings
• Loss of the decedent’s counsel
• Loss of the decedent’s companionship, comfort, and care

When someone does not survive a motorcycle accident, always discuss a possible wrongful death claim with our team. We can handle the legal process while you focus on your grieving and emotional recovery from your tragic loss.

 

If You Suffered Injuries or Lost a Loved One, Call a WI Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today 

At Mingo & Yankala, S.C. Accident & Injury Lawyers, we welcome the opportunity to aggressively negotiate a favorable settlement offer on your behalf or litigate your case through the Wisconsin Court System. Our team will be by your side every step of the way, advocating for your legal interests, answering your questions, and helping you make intelligent and informed decisions throughout your case. 

For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a skilled Wisconsin motorcycle accident attorney, please call us at (414) 404-6889 or contact us online.