Motorcycle Accidents: Crashes With Severe Consequences
As a motorist, sharing the road with a variety of vehicle types is an important part of keeping yourself and others safe. Tractor-trailers need ample stopping distance and careful attention to their blind spots and motorcycles can easily disappear between larger vehicles and during the night. Due to their lack of a protective chassis, lighter weight and the smaller surface area that their tires have on the roadway, motorcycles are especially susceptible to certain hazards in the roadway. This can mean permanent and even deadly injuries for riders.
If you are injured in an accident with a motorcycle, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for your damages. These damages can include your medical bills, your lost wages for the days you needed to take off to recover, and miscellaneous expenses like the need for a mobility aid or psychological counseling, which are collectively known as “pain and suffering.” Learn more by working with an experienced injury attorney at Hammett, Bellin & Oswald, LLC. Our team of attorneys works with clients in Appleton and Neenah as well as clients in Door County to offer them skilled legal representation and compassionate counsel. We understand that this compensation could be key to moving forward after your accident, and we will work to ensure that your needs are met and that you receive the damages you are due after an accident.
Wisconsin Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation provides data about the types of collisions that happen on the state’s roadways each year. Its most recent motorcycle crash statistics date to 2012 and include the following facts:
- In 2012, 112 motorcyclists died in collisions
- 2,398 motorcyclists were injured in collisions on Wisconsin roadways that year
- Of the 112 motorcyclists who died in traffic collisions in 2012, 22 percent were known to be wearing helmets when their accidents occurred
Because of their shape and weight, motorcycles can be more sensitive to roadway hazards like potholes, uneven pavement and puddles. Be aware of these hazards as you share the roadway with motorcycles so you can minimize your chance of being involved in a collision with one. Keep an eye out for motorcycles and allow them a safe following distance. Motorcycles can be very difficult to see in fast-moving traffic and during the evening, especially when riders do not wear reflective clothing or make use of lights on their bikes.
Other causes of motorcycle accidents are also common causes of car accidents, such as speeding and driving drunk.
Work With An Appleton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more about your rights and how you can move forward with your personal injury claim, work with an experienced Wisconsin motorcycle accident attorney. Our team can examine your case to determine if you have grounds for such a claim and if so, help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call 920-202-8872 or contact us online to learn more.