Milwaukee Bike Accident Lawyers

Milwaukee bicycle accident attorneys Warshafsky represents victims hit by a car on a bike

You need highly skilled negotiators on your side to get the most out of your bike accident lawsuit. Only one law firm staffs a board-certified accident investigator and a medical doctor who doubles as a lawyer: Warshafsky Law. 

• Warshafsky has recovered award-winning settlements on behalf of our clients including a $750,000 settlement for a wrongful cyclist death case. 
• Our no win, no fee policy guarantees that you will not be charged until we win your personal injury case. 
• We'll help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries or damages.

Make sure to detail and document the losses and damages you experience from a bike accident. Keep all copies of records including medical bills, loss of income and out-of-pocket expenses. Insurance companies are good at protecting themselves, so you need to hire an experienced Milwaukee, Wisconsin bike accident lawyer. 

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Milwaukee bicycle accident statistics

According to a 2016 Wisconsin DOT bicycling safety study, a bicyclist is injured or killed on the road every 10.2 hours. Bicycle crashes are preventable, and it should be known 60% of all adult bicycle crashes are caused by an error of the motorist, not the bicyclist. In 2020, Wisconsin DOT reported 543 bicyclist injuries resulting from car accidents, with 12 bicyclist deaths recorded. While the number of bicyclist injuries declined each year between 2015 and 2020, the number of deaths remained in the double digits at 10.

Common causes of bicycle accidents in Milwaukee

Many bike accidents are caused by a driver’s negligence (distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, operating under the influence). No matter what speed a car is traveling, it can cause very serious injuries to a cyclist. Other common causes of Milwaukee bike accidents include:

• Passing or following bicyclists too closely
• Failing to yield to a bicyclist or obey traffic signals
• Making improper turns or intersection collisions
• Backing up or opening car doors without looking for cyclists

The best way to combat injuries is to assume drivers cannot see you. Pay close attention when riding your bike, wear a light and bright colors for better visibility and always wear a helmet.

Dangerous road conditions causing Milwaukee bike accidents

Milwaukee is known for its poor road conditions, especially on busy side streets. Even bike trails intersect high-speed roads. General lack of repair or maintenance to these roads is another common cause of bicycle accidents. Uneven roads, numerous potholes, lack of cyclist lanes and lack of traffic signs or signals could all result in bike accidents.

What to do if you got hit by a car on a bike

The events immediately following a bicycle accident can impact a resulting lawsuit, whether the accident was with a pedestrian, a car, a motorcycle or just you. When you’re in a bike accident with a car, try to stay calm in the aftermath.

• Wait for the police  Leaving the scene before the police arrive makes it harder to identify the driver. If the driver flees, stay at the scene. Give an accurate report of every detail you remember, especially the license plate number.
• Accident report  Make sure your version of events makes it into the accident report. Report every injury, even if it seems minor.
• Contact information  Get contact information from witnesses and the driver's contact and insurance information, license number & license plate.
• Take notes  Make a note of everything you can remember about the crash and write it down. Documented notes of weather, traffic, and road conditions are more reliable than memory. Write down more details or worsening injuries as you remember them. Don't have your bike, helmet, clothes, etc. cleaned, inspected or repaired and take photos. 
• Treat injuries  Get medical attention and take photos even for minor injuries so you have documentation of your injuries and a medical record further proving your injuries.
• Contact Warshafsky  Contact our serious bicycle crash attorneys before contacting your insurance company. We have the in-depth knowledge needed to investigate, gather evidence and get you financial compensation.

Getting the most money out of bicycle accident lawsuits

An inattentive motorist, poorly maintained trail or bicycle frame failure can quickly turn a pleasant ride into a life-altering bicycle accident. Injured cyclists have a right to seek reimbursement for their medical bills and the pain they’ve endured, as do the families of cyclists who have been killed by motorists.

Warshafsky's personal injury attorneys have handled many cases involving bicyclists being injured in auto accidents, and they know how to get the highest monetary awards. Injured cyclists and pedestrians need the best to effectively handle a bike accident claim. We have represented countless bicyclists injured by inattentive automobile drivers. Our private investigator draws on years of expertise in preserving evidence to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. If there is any on-site evidence to be found, we will find, document, preserve and use it to your advantage. We will also look for eyewitnesses to document what was seen.