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call us (414) 333-3333 If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below or call us at (414) 333-3333
A crash on Watertown Plank Road or North Avenue can put a rider in the hospital within seconds, and the days that follow usually bring mounting medical bills, missed paychecks, and an insurance adjuster looking for reasons to pay less than the claim is actually worth.
Riders in this position need someone who understands the medical and legal issues behind serious motorcycle injuries. A Wauwatosa motorcycle accident lawyer at PKSD can step in immediately, investigate the crash, and seek the compensation Wisconsin law allows for the losses a rider has suffered. Contact us today at (414) 333-3333 for a free consultation.
Our firm has represented injured Wisconsin residents since 1999, growing into a team of attorneys who bring more than 150 years of combined legal experience to every case we accept.
Partner Jeffrey Pitman has handled thousands of personal injury cases across Wisconsin, and has been certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 2000.
Partner Howard Sicula is admitted to practice throughout Wisconsin and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and serves as chair on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Association for Justice.
That depth of trial experience reflects a firm that understands the specific challenges motorcyclists face when insurance companies suggest that a rider’s lack of structural protection somehow contributed to their own injuries.
Since 1999, our firm has recovered more than $500 million for injured clients across Wisconsin in vehicle collision and injury cases, with results that include:
These examples reflect some of our past cases. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, as every case depends on its own facts, evidence, and applicable law.
Every case is different, and the path to resolving one motorcycle accident claim rarely matches another. A Wauwatosa motorcycle accident lawyer from our team can gather police reports, witness statements, and crash scene evidence to build a case grounded in the specific facts of what happened, not in assumptions carried over from another crash.
We can consult medical experts, document long-term impacts, and negotiate from day one. When the other side does not offer a fair settlement, we may take the case to trial. Maintaining a trial-ready approach can strengthen negotiations because insurers know the case may ultimately be presented to a jury. Clients work directly with the attorney handling their case, not a rotating cast of case managers.
The decisions a rider makes in the hours after a crash can significantly affect the outcome of a claim months later. The following steps help preserve health and legal options:
Preserving this evidence early gives an attorney a clearer picture of what happened and what the claim may involve.
Motorcycle crashes rarely happen without a clear contributing factor, and Wisconsin’s own crash data shows where the risks concentrate. According to the recent Wisconsin Crash Facts report, failure to control the motorcycle was tied to 517 crashes statewide, while failure to yield the right-of-way factored into 342 incidents. Speeding, whether above the posted limit or simply too fast for road conditions, contributed to several hundred additional crashes.
Other drivers bear responsibility in a substantial share of these collisions. The same data shows that operators who looked but failed to see a motorcycle or hazard were cited in 174 crashes, a pattern that reflects how easily a rider can be overlooked in traffic. Distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving are also common contributing factors in motorcycle crashes on Wauwatosa roadways and the surrounding Milwaukee County corridors.
Identifying the specific cause of a crash often determines which party is legally responsible.
Establishing fault after a motorcycle crash requires more than a guess about who was careless. Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence framework under Wisconsin Statute 895.045, which allows an injured rider to recover damages as long as they are not more at fault than the person or parties responsible for the crash. Under Wisconsin law, any defendant found 51 percent or more at fault may be held jointly and severally liable for the full award.
That framework matters because insurance companies may attempt to shift blame onto the rider, arguing that visibility, speed, or lane position played a role in the crash. Knowing the Wisconsin motorcycle laws that govern equipment, lane use, and licensing helps counter those arguments. A driver found partially responsible still faces liability, but the percentage assigned to each party directly affects how much a rider ultimately recovers. Our attorneys at PKSD can investigate every angle of a crash, from traffic signal timing to vehicle positioning, to build a case around what the evidence actually shows.
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Riders absorb the force of a collision directly, without the seatbelts, airbags, and structural frame that protect occupants of an enclosed vehicle. That difference shows up clearly in the severity of injuries motorcycle accident victims can face.
Common injuries may include:
The full financial and personal costs of a motorcycle crash often extend beyond the initial hospital visit, which is why thorough documentation from the earliest stages of treatment is crucial to a claim.
Wisconsin law allows injured riders to pursue economic and non-economic damages, and how much compensation a motorcycle accident yields depends on the severity of the injuries and their long-term effects. Economic damages cover measurable costs such as emergency treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity when an injury limits future work. Property damage to the motorcycle itself also falls within this category.
Non-economic damages address the harder-to-quantify effects of a serious crash, including physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of activities a rider once enjoyed. When a crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under Wisconsin law, though that action carries a shorter filing deadline than a standard injury claim. Because every case involves different injuries and different insurance coverage, a Wauwatosa motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate which categories of loss apply to a specific situation before any settlement discussion begins.
Most motorcycle accident victims in Wisconsin have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under Wisconsin Statute 893.54, this three-year window applies to injury claims arising from a motor vehicle accident, including those involving a motorcycle. Wrongful death claims tied to a motor vehicle crash follow a shorter two-year deadline from the date the accident occurred. Missing either deadline bars recovery entirely, regardless of how solid the underlying claim may be, so speaking with a Wauwatosa motorcycle accident attorney soon after a crash helps protect that window.
The value of a motorcycle accident case depends on the severity of the injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, and the insurance coverage available. No two claims settle at the same figure. Medical costs, lost income, long-term care needs, and the degree of fault assigned to each party under Wisconsin’s comparative negligence rule all determine the final number. A rider found partially at fault still recovers compensation, provided that the share of fault does not exceed the other party’s, though the award is reduced proportionally. An attorney from our team can evaluate these factors and provide a realistic assessment once the full scope of the injuries is known.
Our attorneys can represent riders in a wide range of motorcycle accident cases, including left-turn collisions, rear-end crashes, lane-change accidents, road hazard crashes, hit-and-run incidents, and claims involving defective equipment. Each case type requires a different investigative approach tailored to the specific facts involved.
At PKSD, we can investigate motorcycle accident cases by gathering police reports, witness statements, crash scene photographs, and any available traffic or surveillance footage. Our team reviews the responding officer’s citations and narrative for signs of speeding, failure to yield, or other contributing factors identified in statewide crash data. When liability is contested, we may consult accident reconstruction specialists and medical providers to connect the crash directly to the injuries claimed. This groundwork allows us to negotiate from a position of strength or, when necessary, take a case to trial.
A serious crash deserves serious representation, and waiting to act can allow evidence to disappear and deadlines to pass. At PKSD, we have represented injured riders across Wisconsin since 1999, and a Wauwatosa motorcycle accident lawyer on our team can review your case, explain your options, and seek the compensation the law allows. Contact us today at (414) 333-3333 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
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Client Reviews
PKSD was great to work with after I had been in a car accident. They were incredibly thorough, patient, and understanding through the whole process! Sam Killian handled my case and kept me up to date every step of the way. He worked to negotiate my final settlement and was transparent about timelines and total amounts. Great, clear communication! Definitely would recommend! They make it a breeze.
Excellent service! They handled my case with care and importance. They kept me updated every step of the way. They fought for me to get a higher payout and succeeded! I am grateful for their help!
I have use PKSD 3 times. They took very good care of me. They walked me through the process and answered all my questions. I recomend them to everybody I know.
Outstanding Legal Representation – Highly Recommend! I had an incredible experience working with PKSD. They fought hard for me and made sure I got the money I truly deserved. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my case. Their expertise and dedication made the process smooth and stress-free. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal help. Thank you for everything!
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Office
Address
1110 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr #320, Milwaukee, WI 53203 Get DirectionsPhone
414-333-3333About Us
PKSD is a Milwaukee personal injury law firm dedicated to helping injured individuals. We take a hands-on, client-focused approach and work closely with the people we represent from start to finish. We are committed to providing responsive service and strong legal advocacy when it matters most.
Areas We Serve
PKSD proudly serves clients throughout the state of Wisconsin. We represent individuals and families in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire, Wausau, and surrounding areas. No matter where you are located, our team is ready to help.
