What Percentage of Milwaukee Motorcycle Riders Get in Accidents? 

Riding a motorcycle can make an ordinary trip through Milwaukee feel completely different. Motorcycles are responsive, efficient, and enjoyable to ride. Still, they leave riders exposed in ways that occupants of passenger vehicles are not. 

That raises an understandable question: what percentage of motorcycle riders get into accidents? There is no reliable percentage that can answer that question. Crash statistics can tell you how many reported motorcycle accidents occurred during a particular year. However, statistics cannot tell your chances of eventually crashing on a motorcycle. 

For riders, the more important question is not whether an accident is inevitable. This is why motorcycle crashes can be dangerous, and what rights you have if another person’s negligence causes one. 

Why Can Riding a Motorcycle Be So Dangerous?

The basic problem is protection. A passenger vehicle surrounds its occupants with a metal structure and numerous safety systems. Modern vehicles can include seat belts, airbags, reinforced passenger compartments, crumple zones, and other technology intended to reduce injury during a collision. 

A motorcycle provides little comparable protection. When a car and motorcycle collide, the rider may be thrown from the bike or directly struck by the vehicle. The rider can then hit pavement, another vehicle, a guardrail, or another fixed object. 

Size also creates a visibility problem. Motorcycles occupy much less visual space than cars and trucks. A driver who is not paying careful attention might overlook a motorcycle when changing lanes, entering traffic, or turning across an intersection. 

Even relatively ordinary driving mistakes can have severe consequences for someone on a motorcycle. 

What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Milwaukee? 

Motorcycle accidents do not have one universal cause. Sometimes the rider makes a mistake. In other cases, a motorcyclist does everything reasonably and is injured because another driver fails to pay attention. 

Common accident scenarios include: 

• A driver turning left in front of a motorcycle 
• Unsafe lane changes 
• Drivers failing to check blind spots 
• Rear-end collisions 
• Distracted driving 
• Speeding 
• Following a motorcycle too closely 
• Impaired driving 
• Failure to yield 
• Dangerous intersection maneuvers 
• Poor roadway conditions 
• Defective motorcycle components 

Because the motorcycle offers so little physical protection, a mistake lasting only a few seconds can produce permanent injuries. 

What Are Common Injuries in Milwaukee Motorcycle Accidents? 

Motorcycle crashes can produce injuries ranging from road rash to permanent neurological damage. Common injuries include: 

• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Concussions 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Paralysis 
• Broken arms and legs 
• Pelvic fractures 
• Shoulder injuries 
• Knee injuries 
• Internal organ damage 
• Internal bleeding 
• Facial injuries 
• Road rash 
• Nerve damage 
• Amputations 
• Scarring or disfigurement 

Some injuries are immediately obvious. Others take time to understand. Injuries with long-term impacts can become critically important for a personal injury claim. 

How Can Milwaukee Motorcycle Riders Reduce Their Risk of an Accident?

Motorcyclists cannot control what other drivers do. However, they can take precautions that may reduce their risk of being involved in a serious crash.

Some practical motorcycle safety measures include:

• Wear a properly fitted helmet and other protective gear
• Follow posted speed limits and adjust your speed for road conditions
• Leave enough space between your motorcycle and other vehicles
• Avoid lingering in drivers’ blind spots
• Use turn signals and make your movements predictable
• Watch carefully for vehicles turning left at intersections
• Avoid riding while impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Use extra caution in rain, poor visibility, or hazardous road conditions
• Keep your motorcycle properly maintained
• Consider completing a motorcycle safety course

Visibility is especially important. Riders can use headlights, reflective materials, and appropriate lane positioning to make themselves easier for other motorists to see. They should also anticipate situations in which a driver might fail to notice them, such as at intersections or during lane changes.

Contact PKSD To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Milwaukee Motorcycle Accident Attorney

There is no trustworthy percentage that tells a Milwaukee motorcyclist whether they will eventually be involved in a crash. What is clear is that motorcycle riders face greater physical exposure when a collision occurs. 

Reach out to PKSD to schedule a free consultation. Our team proudly represents clients throughout Milwaukee and across Wisconsin, working to help you obtain the justice and full compensation you deserve.

PKSD Milwaukee
1110 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr #320, Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 333-3333