When a Milwaukee bicycle accident leaves you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next, you need skilled legal support to pursue the justice you deserve. If a negligent driver, hazardous road conditions, or defective equipment caused your crash, you may have the right to seek compensation for the resulting losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts and make it difficult for victims to get the financial recovery they need.
Warshafsky Law Firm is ready to protect your rights as an injured personal injury victim. Our bike accident attorneys will investigate your accident case and pursue the compensation you need to move forward. We have a history of fighting for injured cyclists in Milwaukee, so contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
Warshafsky Law Firm represents Milwaukee cyclists injured by other parties’ negligence. Our firm has served clients for over 50 years, and our five-attorney team brings more than 100 years of combined experience to our work on behalf of injured people like you. Additionally, we have an attorney on staff who is also a licensed medical doctor, which gives our firm a unique advantage when evaluating your bike accident claim and determining the scope of your injuries and losses.
From the moment you contact our Milwaukee law office, we focus on investigating your accident and gathering the evidence necessary to build a strong case. Our legal team compiles your medical records, police and incident reports, witness statements, and the testimony of accident reconstruction and medical experts to establish the fault of all liable parties. We aim to thoroughly and accurately document your personal and financial losses to seek the maximum compensation for you.
Throughout the process, Warshafsky Law Firm will help you understand your options by keeping you informed and answering your questions. We know how stressful and confusing this situation can be. If you were injured in a Milwaukee bicycle accident, we’re committed to helping you fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
Bicycle accidents in Milwaukee often occur because a party other than the cyclist failed to act with the necessary level of care and their negligence resulted in a collision. Even when cyclists follow traffic laws, they remain vulnerable to serious crashes caused by motorists and other hazards. Understanding the common causes of bicycle accidents can help you identify who may be responsible for your injuries. If any of the following factors caused your accident, you may have a claim for compensation:
Your health and safety come first. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor at the time, because some serious conditions are not immediately apparent. If you are able to do so safely, document the scene by taking photographs of your bicycle, the vehicles involved, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Collect the contact and insurance information of any drivers involved, and gather names and contact details from witnesses. Report the accident to law enforcement and request a copy of the police report. Avoid making statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with lawyer, as those statements can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including bicycle accident cases, is generally three years from the date of the injury or accident. If you do not file your claim within that window, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely. Certain circumstances, such as claims involving a government entity or injuries to a minor, can affect this deadline. Because these time limits are strictly enforced and the rules can be complex, it is important to consult with an attorney as early as possible to protect your legal rights.
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a range of losses. These can include current and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, costs associated with rehabilitative care, pain and suffering, and damage to or loss of your bicycle and other personal property. In cases involving particularly reckless or egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available. A lawyer can evaluate your specific situation and help identify the full scope of losses you may be entitled to pursue.
Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. Importantly, if you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation under Wisconsin law. Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto cyclists to reduce their exposure, which is one reason why having an experienced attorney evaluate your claim and advocate on your behalf can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Cyclists often sustain serious injuries in collisions due to their lack of protection compared to motorists. Even when wearing a helmet, a bicyclist is vulnerable to direct impact with a vehicle, pavement, or other objects. The severity of these injuries can vary depending on the circumstances of the accident, but many bike accident injuries require extensive medical treatment and lengthy recovery periods. Some of the most common Milwaukee bicycle accident injuries include:
These injuries can have both short- and long-term effects on cyclists. While some victims recover in weeks or months, others suffer with chronic pain, mobility issues, or permanent disability. Head and spinal injuries, in particular, may result in cognitive impairments or paralysis that affect their ability to work and perform daily activities, placing substantial burdens on their caregivers and loved ones. In the most severe cases, a fatal crash may give rise to a wrongful death claim. Many injured cyclists also experience psychological effects like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression after a serious crash.
Understanding the legal framework surrounding bicycle accidents in Wisconsin is crucial for both cyclists and motorists. Here are some key Wisconsin statutes that apply to bicycle accidents:
Determining liability for a bicycle accident depends on the circumstances of the crash and requires a thorough investigation, which Warshafsky Law Firm can handle while you focus on healing. Depending on how the collision occurred, multiple parties may be responsible, and identifying them is critical for securing compensation for your injuries. Potentially liable parties could include:
Victims of bicycle accidents may recover compensation for the expenses and losses directly resulting from an accident. Depending on the facts of your case, your settlement or award may include compensation for:
Compensation in a bicycle accident claim typically doesn’t come directly from an at-fault party, but from their insurance company. Unfortunately, insurers looking to protect their profit margins often try to minimize payouts to injured people. Insurance adjusters may downplay the severity of your injuries. They may argue that you were partially at fault, which can threaten your right to recover compensation. Recognizing the precarity of your situation, they might even delay processing your claim or offer a lowball settlement that doesn’t come close to covering your losses, hoping you’ll accept it out of desperation.
Having a skilled and experienced legal representative on your side can help protect you against tactics like these. Your bicycle accident attorney will handle all communication with the insurance company and prevent adjusters from having the chance to use your statements against you. They’ll prepare a claim that demonstrates the full extent of your injuries and establishes the at-fault party’s liability, and if the insurer refuses a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
From day one, Warshafsky Law Firm prepares every case as if it will go to trial. This puts pressure on insurers to offer fair compensation. We don’t accept lowball offers and are prepared to fight for the full amount you deserve.
Were you injured in a bike accident in Milwaukee? Let Warshafsky Law provide the legal support you need to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Contact us today to set up a free initial consultation, and pay nothing unless we win your case.