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Hundreds of Wisconsin bicyclists are injured each year in crashes with motor vehicles. For cyclists, these collisions often result in severe injuries that require costly medical treatment.
If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a bike accident caused by a negligent motorist, the Madison injury attorneys at Boller & Vaughan are here to help you recover the financial security you need.
Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers offer FREE consultations to help you understand your options, and we work for personal injury clients on a contingent-fee basis, which means we don’t get paid until we successfully resolve your case.
Call us at 608-268-0268 to schedule your complimentary consultation or contact us online to tell us about your bike accident now.
Because bicyclists lack the protections of those in passenger vehicles, their injuries are often more serious in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle.
Common injuries in bike accidents include:
Compensation in bicycle accident cases may include money for:
If a loved one was killed in a bike accident caused by a careless motorist, surviving family members may be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wisconsin follows contributory negligence rules, which can reduce compensation should a percentage of fault be assigned to the injured party.
If an injured bicyclist is deemed partly responsible for the collision, compensation is reduced by a percentage equal to the cyclist’s fault.
An important factor to note is Wisconsin’s bicycle helmet law, or lack thereof. Although all bicyclists—and particularly children—are advised to wear helmets, Wisconsin does not have a primary helmet law for cyclists. If a helmetless bicyclist is struck by negligent car driver, the cyclist is not at fault for not wearing a helmet.
Bicyclists have the same basic rights as motorists. Cyclists must ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic; they must also indicate their turns (using hand signals), and they are required to report an accident that results in injury.
Many bike crashes are the result of negligence by motor vehicle drivers. Distracted driving is one factor that increases the risk of a collision between a motorist and a cyclist.
In 2017, a commuting bicyclist from Madison was hit by a driver who was ultimately charged with vehicular homicide due to distracted driving.
Not all bicycle accidents are the result of motorist negligence, however. In Wisconsin, 90 percent of all child bicycle crashes are the result of rider error, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Adults cyclists are less likely to be at fault for a crash, but they are also more likely to be struck by a motorist.
In fact, about 60 percent of adult bicycle crashes are the result of motorist error. Motorists often fail to notice the presence of bicyclists when proceeding through an intersection, turning or changing lanes.
According to the most recent state data regarding Wisconsin bike crashes, most accidents occur in urban areas including Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, La Crosse and West Allis.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bike crash caused by a careless motorist, our Madison injury attorneys are here to pursue the compensation you need to cope with medical costs and other damages.
Call the accomplished bicycle accident lawyers at Boller & Vaughan today at 608-268-0268 or contact us online for your FREE consultation. We welcome clients from the greater Madison area and throughout Wisconsin.
We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
