Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

A motorcycle crash can cause life-changing injuries and leave you with a mountain of medical bills. When you are hurt and your life is turned upside down, you need the support of people who understand what you are going through and have the experience necessary to fight for your rights to compensation. At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we are not just lawyers; we are your neighbors who have a long history of helping people in Wisconsin get back on their feet after devastating injuries.

For over 50 years, Bye, Goff & Rohde has stood as a champion for injury victims, helping families regain the compensation they are owed after someone’s negligence injured their loved one. If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Eau Claire, River Falls, or La Crosse, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. Our Wisconsin Motorcycle accident lawyers offer free initial meetings and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay us a thing unless we win your case. Let us help you find a path forward.

Wisconsin Motorcycle Accident Statistics

There is nothing like the sense of freedom riding a motorcycle along the backroads of America. But with it comes unique risks, especially with so little protection offered by the vehicle itself. A collision with a larger object or vehicle, like a passenger car or semi-truck, can be devastating. Many drivers fail to check for motorcyclists at intersections and in their blind spots, leading to accidents that could have been avoided. When accidents can be so easily avoided with drivers being more careful, injury victims deserve justice for the harm they have had done to them.

In the latest reporting year, the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT)’s year-end crash statistics recorded 1,921 motorcycle crashes, with 80 fatalities being reported. This means that roughly 4% of all Wisconsin motorcycle crashes resulted in at least one death, a fatality rate roughly ten times higher than that of all other vehicle crash types combined.

The Wisconsin DOT has made a point to try to encourage safer drivers and to share the road with motorcycles. The key message is to check and double-check before entering a roadway or changing lanes, being aware that motorcycles are smaller than typical vehicles and therefore harder to see. Drivers need to check their mirrors and any blind spots before changing lanes and be extra cautious when turning at intersections. They also emphasized the importance of giving motorcyclists a full lane to ride in, as motorcycles need the same space as a car to operate safely.

Common Injuries Experienced in Motorcycle Accidents

When a crash occurs, the lack of a protective frame, seatbelts, or airbags leaves the rider dangerously exposed, often leading to catastrophic and life-altering injuries. The impact with a vehicle or the road can result in a wide range of severe physical trauma, each with its own set of challenges and long-term consequences. These injuries can require expensive and extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and may even lead to permanent disability. Common injuries a motorcycle accident attorney sees in our clients include:

• Amputation injuries, whether traumatic or medically required
• Back injuries and neck injuries, including damage to the spinal cord
• Head injuries from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Burn injuries from exhaust or fuel-fed fires
• Disfigurement and scarring, potentially limiting movement
• Knee injuries and shoulder injuries, from sprains to fractures and broken bones
• Broken ribs are common in any accident
• Road rash, where a rider’s skin is scraped off upon contact with pavement or gravel
• Soft tissue injuries, such as damage to organs or muscles
• Catastrophic injuries that require life-long support or extended care

For those who have suffered these kinds of catastrophic injuries due to another driver’s negligence, the physical and emotional recovery is only part of the battle. The financial burden of medical recovery can be immense. Costs of surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and assistive devices may add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. We take into account the full scope of your suffering and work to ensure the compensation you receive reflects it, from current and future medical costs to lost paychecks, and the profound impact on your quality of life.

The Wisconsin motorcycle accident attorneys at Bye, Goff & Rohde are here to help you fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve. Our lawyers represent injured riders and families of those who have been seriously hurt or killed in motorcycle accidents caused by careless drivers. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are often a result of a combination of factors, including driver negligence, environmental conditions, and mechanical failures. Due to a motorcycle’s size, a significant number of crashes involve drivers who fail to see motorcyclists. This includes failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or making turns, as well as not leaving enough space for a motorcycle. These failures often lead to a driver pulling out in front of a motorcycle or an unsafe lane change, which can have catastrophic consequences.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Wisconsin include:

• Inclement weather, especially in the winter months
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Drunk driving or driving under the influence of mind-altering drugs
• Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or making turns
• Not leaving enough space for motorcyclists
• Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
• Distracted drivers, due to phones, GPS technology, eating, or other passengers
• Broken or faulty mechanical parts on the vehicle or motorcycle

When you discuss your case with our motorcycle accident lawyers in La Crosse, River Falls, and Eau Claire, we will review what happened and start gathering evidence to build your case. We can also consult an accident reconstruction expert to recreate the incident and help identify the cause and any contributing factors.

Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys will build a strong case based on facts and evidence, gathering details that will help maximize compensation. This evidence could include police reports, eyewitness statements, photos of the scene, traffic camera footage, or analysis from an accident reconstruction expert. 

Dangerous Highways in Western Wisconsin 

Our motorcycle accident lawyers see many types of accidents around Western Wisconsin. Local geography and traffic patterns can play a significant role in major highways such as Interstate 94. This interstate is known to be deadly due to traffic, speeding, and reckless driving. 

Rural two-lane roads in this part of our state are often just as problematic, having reduced or nonexistent shoulders, varied road surfaces, and limited visibility. Rolling hills and scenic routes can pose road hazards like potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and slick surfaces from rain or spilled oil. Because of this, rural roads are a challenge for inherently vulnerable motorcyclists, who need to be exceptionally cautious and aware of their surroundings.

Serious Injuries Need Serious Lawyers to Prove Liability

Proving liability is the foundation of a successful motorcycle accident claim. Car accidents tend to have more straightforward liability, but motorcyclists need to be aware of the preconceived bias against them that many insurance companies have. Due to cultural assumptions that motorcyclists are risk-takers, riders have to work against a system that shifts blame and undervalues damages. 

Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators whose primary goal is to protect their company’s bottom line by offering quick, lowball settlements. Without experienced legal advisors on your side, you could be pressured into accepting an offer that does not fully cover your medical expenses, let alone take into account lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

The Wisconsin motorcycle accident attorneys at Bye, Goff & Rohde will act as a crucial buffer, handling all communications with the insurance company and negotiating on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected and the full extent of your damages, both now and in the future, are accounted for.

Should negotiations fail, you may have the option to take your case to court, where your attorney will prepare and present a compelling case to present to a judge or jury. The legal process for a motorcycle accident can be complicated, involving calculations of both current and future damages, such as ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and the impact on your long-term earning capacity. Do not lose out on getting the financial compensation you deserve. By taking a proactive and strategic approach with a legal team, you can fight against the insurance company’s arguments against you and move towards getting the settlement you need to move forward with your life.

Types of Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

The main types of compensation after an accident are economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages attempt to compensate for financial losses that can be relatively easily proven with receipts, bills, repair estimates, and invoices. These losses typically include repairs to your motorcycle, medical expenses, and lost paychecks if you missed work during your recovery.

Non-economic damages attempt to compensate for the losses that you felt but are not directly attached to a monetary value. This includes things like pain and suffering and diminished quality of life.

Under Wisconsin Legislature 895.043, punitive damages may be awarded in personal injury cases where the responsible party was intentionally reckless or malicious in their actions. For example, a motorcycle accident where the responsible party was recklessly intoxicated may qualify to receive punitive damages, though such instances are rare. Punitive damages are capped at twice the compensatory damages and are awarded in situations where the court wishes to punish the defendant to prove a point.

The Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits

It is vital not to delay in getting started on filing your personal injury claim or lawsuit. Evidence degrades over time, which makes gathering it as soon as possible vital to accident victims. Most importantly, missing out on the Wisconsin statute of limitations could completely bar you from receiving compensation for any part of your accident.

Under this law, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the motorcycle accident. Failure to file a lawsuit within this three-year period means that the injured motorcyclist will likely lose their right to pursue compensation entirely.

There are a few notable exceptions to this three-year deadline, which can either shorten or extend the deadline. For example, if the at-fault party is a governmental body (such as a city, county, or state employee), the victim must provide written notice of their claim within 120 days of the accident (with specific itemized damages) before they can file a lawsuit.

Do not delay getting started on your motorcycle accident claim. Our injury legal team will begin our investigation as soon as possible and start strategically positioning your claim to maximize your compensation.

How Our Wisconsin Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Help Crash Survivors

At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we know the devastating impact these injuries have on your life. We believe that serious injuries need serious lawyers. Proving liability in a motorcycle accident is absolutely crucial for securing the compensation you deserve and need to help recover from your injuries and get back on your feet.

As Wisconsin’s personal injury powerhouse since 1974, we have a well-earned reputation for getting our clients the compensation they deserve. Our lawyers have over 180 years of combined legal experience; when you include our paralegals and support staff, we have over 400 years of combined experience.

We get results because we care enough to put in the hard work it takes to win against money-hungry insurance companies and corrupt corporations. We will investigate your accident, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and take your case to trial if necessary. When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer at Bye, Goff & Rohde, you are getting a team that cares about the outcome of your life.

Contact Our Wisconsin Motorcycle Accidents Lawyers

After a motorcycle crash, we want you to feel supported and confident throughout the entire legal process. Our attorneys will be there to answer your calls and your questions, treating you with the empathy and respect you deserve. Let us help you determine your next step forward and the best plan for you, your family, and your financial future. To set up a free consultation with experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Eau Claire, River Falls, and La Crosse, WI, contact our law firm today.