Bicycle Safety in Wisconsin

After a bike crash, you can face significant damages that are hard to overcome. If you were hit by a car on your bike, the car driver could be held accountable for their negligence. To receive compensation for your injuries and damages, you will need to pursue legal action against the at-fault driver's insurer. The insurance company's adjuster will then examine your claim.

Since insurance adjusters aim to protect their insurance companies' interests, they will always strive to reduce your compensation amount. Because of this, you're going to want the help of a Milwaukee bike accident lawyer to represent you and calculate the actual amount of your claim.

Available Damages after a Bike Accident

Under Wisconsin law, you are entitled to recover a monetary settlement for your injuries and damages after a bike accident. These could include:

Medical Costs

If you suffered severe injuries that required medical treatment or emergency services, you might recover those medical expenses from the negligent party that caused the accident. These costs will cover past and future medical bills for:

Prescription medications
Hospitalization
Emergency services
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Surgery

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages refer to the physical and emotional trauma you suffered following a bike accident. You may develop anxiety which makes you fearful of riding your bike or even makes it hard for you to participate in social situations, leading to missing work or other social activities. Be sure to document these types of damages because they are recoverable.

Loss of Wages

Serious bike injuries can leave you injured to the point where you cannot earn income because you couldn't perform your job or you were at the doctor's office. In this case, you can seek compensation that covers what you would have been paid if you had been able to go to work.

Property Damage

You can recover compensation for personal property that was damaged following your crash. For instance, if your bike, cell phone, helmet, or smartwatch was destroyed in the accident, you can recover those damages.

Contact a Milwaukee Bike Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a Milwaukee bike accident, hiring a Milwaukee bike accident attorney could be a good place to start. An experienced attorney will investigate your bike accident, determine the at-fault party, represent you in court, uncover insurance policies and acquire the necessary documentation to optimize your recovery.

To get the legal help you need, call (414) 210-3834 to discuss your case confidentially with our lead bike accident attorney, Natasha Misra.

Cycling is an excellent option for exercising, enjoying the fresh air, and commuting. However, bicycle accidents can cause severe injuries to cyclists hit by negligent drivers.

What are Wisconsin's Bicycle Safety Rules?

As you ride your bike in Appleton, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, or any other area in Wisconsin, follow the following bicycle safety rules:

Wear your helmet: 70 to 80 percent of bicycle accidents involve head injuries. Wearing helmets minimizes the possibility of sustaining head injuries. Always check for a Consumer Product Safety Committee sticker before purchasing a helmet.

Go with the Flow: Cyclists should ride in the same direction as traffic, and by doing so, you'll be more visible, allowing other road users to respond appropriately and quickly. When cycling against traffic, you may miss the red and green lights or enter an intersection at an unsafe or improper time.

Be Spatially Aware: Ride in a straight line without going off course and maintain at least 3 feet from parked vehicles to avoid "dooring accidents."

Obey Traffic Laws: Even though you’re on a bike, you still have to obey the rules of the road. Don’t forget to stop at stop signs, signal when you’re turning, and always make sure you’re alert and aware of your surroundings.

Stay Visible: When riding a bike a night you’re even less likely to be seen by motorists. To make sure you’re as noticeable as possible, use a reflector when riding at night.

Why is Bicycle Safety Important?

Although riding a bike may be fun, you can pick up serious injuries from a bike accident. Bike safety helps to make cycling enjoyable. Simple bicycle safety measures like wearing a helmet can reduce a significant proportion of bicycle accident fatalities.

Common Causes of Bike Accidents

Several factors contribute to bicycle accidents in Wisconsin. Bicycles are not easy to see, and most riders are unfamiliar with road laws. However, even if road users are unfamiliar with road laws, it should not be used as an excuse. Here are some of the causes of bike accidents:

Dangerous Roads: Unkempt roads cause 3% of bicycle accidents in the United States.

Low Visibility: Bikes are small, and most drivers may be unable to see them, particularly at night.

Distracted Driving: When drivers and riders use their phones or get distracted by other passengers, music, or thoughts, they may end up causing accidents.

Failure to Yield: Right of way in crossing paths or where traffic merges can help prevent accidents. A bike accident is more likely to occur when a motorist fails to yield to a rider in a crosswalk or bike lane.

Bike Safety Tips

Plan your route
Pay attention
Obey traffic signs
Tie your shoelaces
Avoid using your phone or listening to music while cycling
Anticipate what other motorists may do and act appropriately
Use the right-hand signals
Ensure all parts of the bike are working
Have rear and front lights during the day or at night

Contact a Wisconsin Bike Accident Attorney

At Natasha Misra Law, we want you and your loved ones to remain safe on the roads. However, we're ready to offer legal support if you get involved in an unexpected bicycle accident.

‍Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get treated fairly.

Natasha Misra

My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.