Milwaukee Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Milwaukee motorcycle accident, it is important to know your rights.
The experienced Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers at PKSD offer free initial consultations to discuss your legal options. If we validate your claim and your hire us, there are no upfront fees. Our goal is to secure maximum compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
Our attorneys have more than 150 years of combined legal experience. Partner M. Angela Dentice has been selected for Wisconsin Super Lawyers every year from 2005 to 2020. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association for Justice.
We only get paid if you recover compensation. There is no risk in calling us.
PKSD is here to help. Call 414-333-3333 today.
Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Having a qualified attorney who knows how to deal with insurance companies helps to relieve motorcycle crash victims and their families from the burdens of the legal process.
Crash victims who hire an experienced attorney also usually recover more compensation than those who go it alone. This may be because experienced attorneys are not fooled by insurance companies and they know how to fight back when a claim is denied or devalued.
Our Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers are prepared to manage every step of the process on your behalf, as we seek maximum compensation for your damages. This may include:
- Gathering evidence from the accident scene.
- Reviewing the police reports to assess what happened, along with any pictures or video footage that is available.
- Investigating the at-fault driver for any history of traffic citations or accidents.
- Dealing with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Our co-founding partner, Jeffrey Pitman, is an award winning attorney who is a past president of the Wisconsin Association for Justice and has been helping injury victims throughout Wisconsin for more than 20 years.
Schedule a free consultation. Phone: 414-333-3333
Can I be Compensated for My Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle crash victims need full compensation for their damages. This includes compensation for economic and non-economic damages. The insurance company’s first offer is unlikely to come close to paying for all your damages. That is why it is important to discuss the details of your accident and injuries with a licensed attorney.
Economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Past and future hospital visits
- Lost wages
- Inability to earn income
- Loss of the use of property
- And more
Noneconomic damages refer to the physical and emotional effects of a significant injury, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or disability
- Physical impairment
If you have questions about the value of your claim, call PKSD today. You cannot rely on the insurance company to provide an accurate assessment of the full amount of your damages.
What if the At-Fault Driver is Uninsured?
Generally, motorcycle crash victims in Wisconsin seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. The other driver should have the following coverage, at a minimum of:
- $25,000 for death or injury to one person
- $50,000 for death or injury of more than one person
- $10,000 to pay for property damage he or she caused
Many drivers purchase more than the minimum coverage, which is important because treatment for motorcycle crash injuries could easily cost more than these minimum limits.
Unfortunately, the at-fault driver may not have insurance, and even if he or she does, it may not be enough to cover your damages.
In these situations, it is important to have experienced legal representation as the situation can quickly become complicated. If you purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage you may be able to use it to cover your damages.
Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers. Ph: 414-333-3333
Can I File a Claim if I was not Wearing a Helmet?
Yes, you can, even if you are under the age of 18 and not wearing a helmet is against the law. However, not wearing a helmet may affect the value of your claim. You can be sure the insurance company will argue your injuries would have been less severe if you were wearing a helmet. An experienced Milwaukee motorcycle accident attorney knows how to counter these claims. We are prepared to fight to preserve the full value of your claim.
Your attorney would likely need to show your injuries are unrelated to not wearing a helmet and the cause of the crash had nothing to do with you not wearing a helmet. If the insurance company can establish your injuries were more serious because you were not wearing a helmet, the value of your claim may be reduced.
Can I be Partially at Fault and Recover Compensation?
Yes, you can. Wisconsin applies the legal theory of comparative negligence to these situations. Your compensation award is reduced by your percentage of fault, unless you bear 51 percent or more of the fault for the crash. If your percentage of fault hits that threshold, you are barred from seeking compensation.
The insurance company will likely attempt to pin more fault on you than what you deserve. That is another reason why it may help to have an attorney advocating for you and the full value of your claim.
Filing a Claim After a No-Contact Crash
Did you get injured in a collision that did not involve another vehicle? Maybe another driver caused the accident even though he or she did not crash into your motorcycle?
These are known as no-contact crashes and they can cause severe injuries. Unfortunately, riders may be at a loss for how to seek compensation.
In a free consultation, our Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers can determine potential options. Maybe the government entity that was responsible for maintaining the road was negligent. If the at-fault driver fled the scene, then we may be able to file an uninsured motorist claim on your behalf.
PKSD. Licensed. Local. Lawyers. Ph: 414-333-3333
Is There a Deadline to File My Claim?
Most motorcycle accident claims are resolved via a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. There are usually deadlines for filing injury claims, which is why it is important to get the process started as soon as possible.
If the insurance company denies your claim or offers less than your claim may be worth, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit.
In the state of Wisconsin, personal injury victims have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Wisconsin Statutes Section 893.54). Failing to file before those three years pass will likely result in your claim being dismissed.
While there are exceptions in certain situations, this is something you should discuss with a licensed Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyer.
What Should I do after a Motorcycle Accident?
You should call 9-1-1, without delay, if you are able. It is also important that you seek immediate medical care for your injuries. This may include receiving emergency care at a hospital, such as Froedtert Hospital, which has the only Level I Trauma Center in eastern Wisconsin. Alternatively, you may choose to see a private doctor right away.
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, it is important to establish a medical record linking your injuries to the accident. You should also maintain a record of all treatment and care you receive.
Gathering Information at the Scene
If possible, you should collect information from the other involved parties, including names, phone numbers, insurance information, and the make and models of their vehicles.
Photographing the scene is also helpful. Photograph damage to your motorcycle and the other vehicles involved. This evidence, along with firsthand accounts of the accident, helps our attorneys determine if there is a valid case and how much it may be worth.
Tracking Expenses
Keep a record of the expenses you incurred due to the accident, including:
- Repair estimates for your motorcycle
- Bills from doctors or hospital visits
- Time missed from work because of an injury
- Medical costs
- Travel costs to and from your medical appointments
- Any additional expenses because of the accident
Being Cautious with Insurance Companies
it may be best not to speak to any insurance adjusters without first contacting an attorney. Adjusters are adept at finding inconsistencies or contradictions in your statements to try to minimize or deny your claim.
Our attorneys can deal with the insurance company on your behalf. This includes handling negotiations and any other communication with insurance companies.
Talking to an Attorney
After receiving treatment, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at PKSD know how to protect the full value of a claim against insurance companies that focus more on their profits.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents are a result of some form of negligence. This can include:
- Left-turn collisions
- Vehicles cutting in front of a motorcycle
- Distracted driving
- Careless or reckless driving
- Drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Drivers ignoring blind spots
- Motorcycle lane splitting
- Excessive speeding
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Defective roads
By being more mindful of motorcyclists, drivers could prevent many of the serious and fatal motorcycle accidents that occur every year.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident because of a negligent driver, you may have legal options. Our Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the injured and holding at-fault drivers accountable for the harm they cause.
Local. Licensed. Lawyers. Give us a call. 414-333-3333
Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
If you suffered any of these injuries, or others not listed, call PKSD to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyer:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck or spinal cord injury
- Road rash
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Fractures and broken bones
- Ligament tears
- Psychiatric issues
- Whiplash
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Death
Some of these injuries may be permanent and require long-term treatment. That is why considering your legal options after a crash is important, as it may have been another driver’s fault.
Contact our Milwaukee Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, contact us today. We are an accomplished personal injury firm dedicated to protecting accident victims throughout the Milwaukee area.
Our Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers provide prospective clients with a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss their claim and review possible legal options. We are dedicated to securing maximum compensation to help you and your family after an accident.
There are no fees to discuss your claim and no fees while we work on your case. We are not paid for our services unless you are paid first.
Our office is just a three-minute drive from the Milwaukee Municipal Court.
Need help after a crash? Call PKSD: 414-333-3333