Common Causes of Milwaukee Motorcycle Accidents
Negligent drivers are the main cause of motorcycle crashes in Milwaukee and throughout the nation. If a driver is distracted by their phone, exhausted or under the influence, their eyes may be off the road and their reaction times will be greatly impaired.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers have seen several cases with drivers following motorcycle riders too closely, failing to check their mirrors/blind spots and making turns or changing lanes without a signal. All of these are acts of negligence contributing to motorcycle accident fatalities.
If you were in an accident because of any of the following, you have the right to make a compensation claim:
Speeding
Regardless of the type of vehicle, reckless driving can cause fatalities.
Left turns
A misjudgment of the amount of space a motorcyclist has or confusion about who has the right of way.
Failure to obey traffic signs
Running a red light or stop sign.
Dooring
Opening a car door in the path of a cyclist on a busy street.
Lane splitting
When a motorcycle attempts to bypass slow or stopped traffic by riding between lanes or rows of cars. This is illegal in Wisconsin.
Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Alcohol & Drug Use
- Mechanical Problems
- Weather & Seasons
- Roadway Conditions (e.g. gravel debris, grass clippings, poorly lit roads)
How Cause Affects the Claim
Determining liability in a motorcycle accident caused by road hazards depends on the specific cause of the collision and identifies the responsible party for your injuries and damages.
Potentially accountable parties for road hazards include, but are not limited to:
- Cities and governmental agencies
- Construction companies
- Road maintenance contractors
Warshafsky Law has extensive experience holding manufacturers accountable, including one high-profile motorcycle maker forced to re-evaluate their product and make leg guards standard safety equipment.