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At Dunk Law Firm, we truly care about each and every one of our clients. We know that being involved in an unexpected accident or losing a loved one in a tragic incident is overwhelming. We're here to help.
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Every year, motorcyclists remain among the most overrepresented groups when it comes to traffic accident-related injuries and deaths. Although victims and their surviving loved ones may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages—such as medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering—actually recovering this compensation from the liable party can be very challenging.
If you were injured or if someone you love died in a motorcycle accident in Milwaukee or the nearby areas, Dunk Law Firm can help. Led by founding attorney, Orville Dunk, our team is dedicated to helping victims of negligence get back on their feet. We take on major insurance carriers in pursuit of fair and reasonable compensation for our clients—but we don’t just accept the insurance company’s first offer. Instead, we strive to maximize our clients’ settlements so that they can heal and move forward with their lives. We are even prepared to represent you at trial if necessary.
Reach out to our motorcycle accident lawyers in Milwaukee today to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation; call (414) 206-1295 or contact us online.
On this page you can find answers to several motorcycle accident FAQ, as well as helpful tips when it comes to filing your motorcycle accident claim in Wisconsin:
Sadly, because motorcycle riders have relatively few protections compared to occupants of traditional passenger vehicles, they are at risk of severe bodily injury and death.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include:
These injuries can have catastrophic effects, from significant scarring and disfigurement to partial or total paralysis to severe physical and/or cognitive disability.
If you believe that your injuries were caused because of another motorist's negligent actions, you may have grounds to file an injury lawsuit against them and their insurance company. In some cases, even if you shared some fault in the accident, you may still be able to recover some compensation (as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the incident). This is because Wisconsin has modified comparative negligence laws. In other words, as long as you are less than 50% responsible for an accident you can still recover compensation. However, your compensation will be reduced according to the amount of fault you shared in causing the accident.
Generally speaking, most motorcycle accidents can be traced back to negligence. Although there is a common misconception that motorcyclists are inherently dangerous, reckless drivers—and, certainly, they can and do make mistakes—most motorcycle accidents occur due to the negligence of others on the road.
Some examples of this include:
Although motorist negligence is by far the most common cause of motorcycle accidents, other factors can play a role in these collisions. For example, defectively designed or constructed roadways could contribute to a serious crash, as could auto defects, such as faulty accelerators or brakes.
At Dunk Law Firm, we know how to thoroughly investigate complex motorcycle accident claims to determine exactly what happened and, most importantly, who was at fault. This is critical, as establishing fault is essential to most motorcycle accident claims.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that in 2020 the state had over 2,100 motorcycle crashes. Out of these 2,100 crashes, 112 motorcyclists were killed, while over 1,700 were injured as a result. Out of the over 1,700 who were injured, 581 motorcyclists suffered serious injuries. The number of motorcyclists who were injured is a huge percentage of those involved in an accident. This is likely because when it comes to car vs. motorcycle accidents, a motorcycle offers significantly less protection that another type of motor vehicle.
Anyone who causes or contributes to an accident could be found partially or entirely at fault. Because Wisconsin is a “fault” (or “tort”) state, determining fault—and, therefore, liability—is important. Injured victims can seek financial compensation for their injuries and related losses by filing personal injury or wrongful death claims against at-fault parties.
Depending on the specific circumstances of your accident, any of the following parties (and others) could be found at fault:
But what happens when the other person or party tries to argue that you were at fault? In Wisconsin, multiple parties can share liability for a single accident, but this does not necessarily mean that either party will be unable to file a claim for damages.
Under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, you are allowed to seek compensation after an accident for which you share some of the fault as long as your percentage of fault is not more than 50%. And, if you are found to share some of the blame, your total recovery—meaning, the amount you can recover in damages—will be reduced by your at-fault percentage. So, if you are found to be 25% at fault for a motorcycle accident, you would only be able to recover up to 75% of the total amount you suffered in both economic and non-economic damages.
Because they are often so devastating, motorcycle accidents can be extremely overwhelming for both victims and their loved ones. In the wake of the crash, you may be uncertain of what to do next or how to proceed with your claim. However, regardless of the severity of the accident, there are some things you can do to protect yourself, your well-being, and your rights.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, try to do the following:
The decision of whether or not to hire a lawyer to represent you is a personal decision. Only you can decide what is in your best interests. However, if you are having difficult obtaining a fair settlement offer from your insurance company, or if the insurance company has denied your claim, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer to fight on your behalf. Our team can not only fight for the compensation you deserve, but we can help you determine what fair compensation would be for your injuries. Statistically, if you have a lawyer fighting on your behalf, you are more likely to obtain a larger settlement for your injuries.
When you need the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer, reach out to Dunk Law Firm. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we are not afraid to go up against major insurance companies and their defense teams in pursuit of justice and fair compensation.
