There are approximately 280,000 registered motorcycles in Wisconsin, which equates to roughly 1 in 18 residents owning one. Most riders are cautious and intent on sharing the road safely, but all it takes is one careless driver to cause a serious crash. If that happens to you, you may be left with catastrophic injuries that impact your life forever.

If the motorcycle collision wasn’t entirely (or at all) your fault, Wisconsin law gives you the right to seek financial compensation. At Nowlan Personal Injury Law, we help injured motorcycle riders recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Whether your crash involved a negligent driver, a manufacturing defect, or hazardous road conditions, our motorcycle accident lawyers investigate, prove fault, and push for the full value of your claim.

Why Hire Us for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim in Wisconsin?

Motorcycle accident claims demand a different approach than other types of injury cases. Riders are often blamed by default: adjusters may assume you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or riding without proper protection. At Nowlan Personal Injury Law, we know how these cases get mishandled and how to correct the narrative from day one. Here’s what sets us apart when handling motorcycle accident claims in Wisconsin:

• We Address the Bias Against Riders from the Start: Motorcyclists often face automatic suspicion, regardless of what actually happened. Our legal team pushes back early with facts, credible witness statements, and a documented account that corrects those assumptions before they take root.
• We Know How to Document Motorcycle Accident Injuries: Motorcycle crashes tend to result in more severe injuries than car accidents. Broken bones, road rash, spinal trauma, neck injuries, and traumatic brain injuries are all common. We work with medical providers to track the full scope of your recovery, including future care and long-term limitations that affect your ability to work and live normally.
• We Reconstruct the Crash with the Right Evidence: A thorough investigation can change how your case is valued. Our motorcycle lawyers collect and preserve evidence like helmet condition, vehicle damage, tire marks, street design, and traffic data. When needed, we bring in accident reconstruction experts to clarify fault and create a clear version of events.
• We Identify All Liable Parties and Contributing Factors: Motorcycle accidents often involve more than one cause. A distracted driver might be part of the story, but worn road paint, poor signage, or a mechanical failure may also have played a role. Our motorcycle attorneys investigate every angle to make sure your insurance claim includes everyone who bears responsibility.
• We Deal with the Insurance Company So You Don’t Have To: You shouldn’t have to argue with adjusters while you’re recovering from a bodily injury. We handle all communication with the insurance company, respond to lowball offers with documented counterarguments, and stay alert to tactics that could hurt your claim. 

We work on contingency, which means there’s no hourly billing, no retainers, and no out-of-pocket fees. If we don’t recover fair compensation for you, you don’t owe us anything. You have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain by calling our motorcycle accident lawyers today.

Filing a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident: What You Need to Know

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident and someone else’s actions contributed to the crash, you can usually file a personal injury lawsuit, but that depends on whether you contributed to the crash beyond a certain extent.

Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence system. In most cases, this generally means that if you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover monetary compensation, but your final payout will be reduced by your degree of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $200,000 and found 20% at fault, you would receive $160,000. If you’re 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.

You may still have a case even if no other driver was involved. Accidents caused by defective parts or unsafe road conditions may justify a claim against a manufacturer, government entity, or contractor. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help identify who may be held legally responsible.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

What you do in the minutes, hours, and days after a crash can shape the outcome of your injury claim. Insurance companies often look for gaps or mistakes in the aftermath to lower their payout, but following the right steps gives you a stronger case.

Stay at the Scene and Call 911

Remain at the scene unless you need emergency medical care. Wisconsin law requires you to stop, check on others involved, and provide reasonable assistance. That includes calling 911 and waiting for law enforcement and medical responders to arrive. Do not move your motorcycle unless it poses a danger or police instruct you to, as the position of your bike can provide important information during the investigation.

Cooperate with the Police and Request an Accident Report

When officers arrive, provide your account clearly and calmly. Avoid speculation. Just describe what you saw, heard, and felt. The police report will include this statement, along with details from witnesses, driver behavior, road conditions, and any traffic violations. This document plays a major role in proving fault, so ask the officer how to get a copy of the crash report once it’s filed.

Get Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you feel okay, get evaluated by emergency personnel or visit an urgent care center or hospital as soon as possible. Motorcycle crashes often lead to injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, or hairline fractures that are not immediately obvious.

Delaying treatment can hurt both your recovery and your claim. Insurers often argue that injuries weren’t serious if there was a gap between the crash and your first medical visit. So get treatment and follow up with your primary care doctor or a specialist as recommended. Keep all documentation and appointment summaries.

Gather Evidence at the Scene if You Are Able

If your condition allows and the scene is safe, collect evidence before the area is cleared. This should include:

• Photos of your motorcycle, the other vehicle(s), and all visible damage
• Photos of the road surface, skid marks, nearby signage, and traffic signals
• Wide-angle shots showing the position of the vehicles
• Photos of your injuries, torn gear, or bloodied clothing
• The names, contact info, and statements of any witnesses

This evidence helps confirm details and challenge false claims made by the other side or the insurance company later on.

Notify Your Insurance Provider

Report the crash to your insurer as soon as possible. Stick to basic facts like date, time, location, and vehicles involved. Do not offer opinions, guesses, or recorded statements unless advised by your lawyer. If another driver’s insurance company contacts you, refer them to your motorcycle accident attorney. Their goal is to gather anything they can use to reduce or deny your claim.

Do Not Admit Fault or Accept a Quick Settlement

You are not required to explain or justify the accident to the at-fault party’s insurer. Be careful with what you say, as even casual comments like “I didn’t see them” or “I should have slowed down” can be used against you later.

Speak to an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Insurance companies often make quick settlement offers before you understand the full cost of your injuries. These offers are usually low and come with strings attached. Once you sign, you give up the right to ask for more, so speak with a personal injury lawyer before agreeing to a settlement or signing any paperwork related to your claim.

How Long Do You Have to File an Accident Claim in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin gives you three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Wis. Stat. § 893.54. If you miss that deadline, your claim will be dismissed. In some cases, such as those involving government agencies, the time limit is shorter. That’s why it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. We can preserve evidence, file the necessary paperwork, and keep your claim on track.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Motorcycle Accident Case?

The timeline depends on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the insurer to negotiate. Some motorcycle accident victims are pushed into early settlements within a few weeks by law firms looking for fast commissions.

At Nowlan Personal Injury Law, we take the time to understand your injuries, gather evidence, and present a strong claim. While many cases settle in a few months, we’re prepared to take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith. We do not settle for less than what your case is worth, and we don’t recommend closing a claim until your medical condition is stable and fully documented.

What Is the Average Value of a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Every case is different. We’ve handled motorcycle claims that settled for under $50,000 and others that topped $500,000. Your maximum compensation depends on several factors, including the value of damages, like the following:

• Medical bills and future treatment costs
• Loss of income and reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Long-term disability or permanent injury
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of consortium
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident

Online calculators won’t give you an accurate number for financial compensation. A detailed review of your injuries and financial losses is the only way to estimate your claim’s true value.

• Diagnosis and Injury Type: Your medical diagnosis carries weight. A concussion, spinal cord injury, broken femur, or severe road rash will trigger higher base values than soft tissue bruising or mild sprains. 
• Duration of Medical Treatment: Insurers track how long you received care and whether you followed up consistently. Gaps in treatment or early discharge from physical therapy can reduce your valuation, even if your pain persists. That’s why it’s critical to stick with your treatment plan and document every appointment.
• Recovery Time and Limitations: Longer recovery times tend to increase the settlement range, especially if your injuries prevent you from working, driving, or performing basic daily activities. 
• Projected Future Care: If you’re likely to need surgeries, physical therapy, or pain management in the future, your claim should reflect that. We often bring in medical experts to estimate those costs and explain the long-term impact on your health and finances. 

How to Maximize Your Motorcycle Accident Settlement

To build a strong personal injury claim, you need documents, records, and clear details that show the full impact of your injuries. Here’s the kind of evidence that makes a difference:

• Photos of the Accident Scene: Images taken at the scene help lock in the facts while they’re still fresh. Photos of your motorcycle, the other vehicle, skid marks, and surrounding conditions provide critical context.
• Medical Records and Treatment Documentation: Medical records are the foundation of any injury claim. They confirm your diagnosis, outline the treatment plan, and show how your condition has progressed. This includes emergency room reports, X-rays and MRI results, surgical notes, physical therapy progress, and pain management evaluations.
• Proof of Missed Work and Lost Income: If your injuries kept you off the job, you can claim lost wages, but only if you can prove them. We gather employer verification letters, timesheets and attendance records, pay stubs or direct deposit statements, and tax documents showing income trends. If your injuries affect your long-term ability to work, we also work with vocational and economic experts to estimate your lost future earning capacity.
• Eyewitness Statements: People who saw the crash happen can help clarify fault. Neutral third-party accounts often carry more weight than driver statements. We interview witnesses early, record their statements while details are still fresh, and include these in your claim to strengthen your position.
• Expert Witness Opinions: Some injuries don’t fully heal. If your condition is expected to cause lasting limitations, we may bring in orthopedic specialists, neurologists, pain management doctors, physical therapists, and mental health professionals. Their input can support claims for future care costs and pain and suffering.

Get a Free Consultation From a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Don’t let a crash define your future. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, talk to a personal injury law firm that cares about your well-being and has a solid track record of results in cases like yours. 

At Nowlan Personal Injury Law, we offer free initial consultations and straight answers about your claim. If you have questions or would like to talk to us about legal representation, call our law office at (608) 755-8100 or use our contact form to schedule your free review today.