- Why Choose Us
- Common Causes of Cycling Crashes
- Common Cycling Injuries We Help Recover Compensation For
- Wisconsin Bicycle Laws That Protect You
- Who Is Liable for a Cycling Crash in Milwaukee?
- Our Recent Settlements
- What to Do After a Cycling Incident
- When Should You Contact a Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
- How Your Case Works
- Contact a Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
- Get a FREE case evaluation today
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group represents injured cyclists, injured bicyclists, and any bicyclist harmed across Milwaukee WI and the greater Milwaukee County area, including Wauwatosa, West Allis, Shorewood, and Brookfield. Our law offices have experience representing people in cycling cases across the region. The Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group has recovered more than $1 billion for victims nationwide, and cycling injuries are the only matters we handle.
If you were struck by a vehicle on North Avenue, doored along the KK River Trail lane, hit by a distracted operator cutting through Bay View, or blamed for a bicycle crash that was not your fault, we know how to pursue the claim. We preserve evidence, obtain the accident report, work with medical experts, secure witness statements, and negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf.
Wisconsin statutes treat bicycles as vehicles, granting riders equal rights on the road under Wis. Stat. 346.02(4)(a). The modified comparative negligence rule under Wis. Stat. 895.045 allows injured people to recover damages as long as their share of fault stays below 51%.
Why Choose Us
Milwaukee WI ranks among the most dangerous metro areas for bicycle accidents in the Midwest. The mix of narrow arterial roads, heavy truck traffic, and aging infrastructure puts riders at risk along corridors like North Avenue, Capitol Drive, and Fond du Lac Avenue.
Cycling collisions on these roads leave riders with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and severe road rash. While you focus on medical treatment, the opposing insurer is already working to minimize your payout. Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group focuses exclusively on bicycle, e-bike, and e-scooter crashes, so attorneys recognize their tactics and know how to counter them.
- Over $1 billion recovered for accident victims across the United States.
- Zero out-of-pocket cost. Free consultation, no upfront fees, and no charge unless we secure compensation for you.
- Direct access. You speak with an attorney who handles your case personally, not a paralegal.
Were you struck in traffic? Doored on a city lane? Call 888-521-6377 or visit our website to fill out a contact form, and someone from our team will reach out promptly.
Common Causes of Cycling Crashes
Insurance adjusters look for any reason to shift blame onto the cyclist. Our experienced bicycle accident attorneys investigate every crash thoroughly, because the cause of your collision determines who pays and how much you can recover.
- Distracted driving: Wisconsin law forbids cell phone use while driving, yet many operators ignore it. A momentary lapse of attention can lead to severe harm and life-altering consequences.
- Shared lanes: Inadequate infrastructure forces riders to share roads with larger motor vehicles. High speed limits, blind spots, and suddenly opened doors pose a constant danger.
- Aggressive behavior: Not every operator respects the right of bicyclists to share the path. Negligent drivers may refuse to yield or use threatening gestures.
- Hit-and-run instances: Around 26% of bike accidents involve hit-and-run situations. These types of situations are exceptionally difficult. Only a trained attorney can help identify alternative sources of financial recovery.
- Road conditions: Potholes, debris, and rain-slicked surfaces pose a real threat and often become the underlying cause of fall accidents and pedestrian accidents at shared crossings.
The cause of your incident shapes the entire strategy. We investigate every factor to identify all responsible parties and all available coverage.
Common Cycling Injuries We Help Recover Compensation For
A cyclist hit by a car or truck has virtually no protection. Car accidents and truck collisions with cyclists produce severe injuries, and medical expenses follow.
Insurance companies push to settle before you understand your full condition. If someone else caused your incident, someone else should pay. You are entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, your lost wages, and the long-term consequences. In addition, bicycle accident victims may also pursue financial compensation for pain and suffering.
- Head traumas: Whether it is a concussion or a skull fracture, these types of conditions can directly impact a person’s cognitive abilities and require extensive future medical care.
- Back and spinal conditions: A victim who sustains a spinal condition faces temporary mobility problems or, in the worst scenarios, permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones: Fractures of varying complexity are a frequent result, caused by the force of impact.
- Soft tissue damage: Sprains and strains resulting from the fall take time to heal and sometimes cause chronic pain.
- Severe abrasions: A skin abrasion may not seem like serious injuries compared to the conditions above, but some scrapes leave permanent scars.
Wisconsin Bicycle Laws That Protect You
Wisconsin law recognizes cycles under Wis. Stat. 346.02(4)(a), which means cyclists have the same duties as motor vehicle operators on every public road. That legal standing is the foundation of every personal injury claim we build.
- Same rights, same obligations. Wis. Stat. 346.02(4)(a) establishes that cyclists are lawful users entitled to every applicable statute.
- Full lane use when necessary. The law permits full lane use when the lane is too narrow to share safely or when preparing for a left turn.
- Three-foot passing requirement. Motorists must leave at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicycle.
- No mandatory adult helmet law. The state does not require adult riders to wear helmets, and choosing not to wear one cannot reduce your payout.
- Sidewalks. Sidewalk riding is prohibited in Milwaukee WI unless local signage permits it.
- Lighting and visibility equipment. The state requires a white front light visible from 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from 500 feet when riding after dark.
When an adjuster raises any of these points to reduce your claim, we respond with the relevant statute and supporting information.
Filing Deadlines for an Accident Claim
The state gives you three years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Wis. Stat. 893.54. Miss the deadline, and you forfeit the right to pursue compensation in court.
- Personal injury: 3 years from the date of the accident.
- Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of passing under Wis. Stat. 893.54(2).
- Minor child: The statute of limitations is tolled until the minor turns 18, then the standard period applies.
- Government entity: If your bicycle crash involved a defect or poor infrastructure maintained by the city or the state DOT, you must file a notice within 120 days under Wis. Stat. 893.80.
The 120-day government notice deadline is the one most claimants miss. When your situation involves dangerous conditions on a city-maintained street, that window closes fast. We track every deadline from the day you retain us and make sure to preserve your filing before any period expires.
E-Bike Laws
The state classifies e-bikes as pedal-assisted models as long as they meet certain criteria. Under state law, an electric model must have fully operable pedals and a motor that does not exceed 750 watts. Three e-bike classes are recognized:
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only, no throttle, maximum assisted speed of 20 mph.
- Class 2: Throttle-equipped, maximum speed of 20 mph.
- Class 3: Pedal-assist only, maximum assisted speed of 28 mph.
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are generally permitted on cycling paths and multi-use trails. Class 3 models may face exceptions depending on local regulations. Our law offices also help with all electric-assist and e-scooter crashes. The same negligence principles that apply to traditional collisions apply to electric-assist crashes, and we handle the additional complexities that motorized components introduce into liability analysis.
Who Is Liable for a Cycling Crash in Milwaukee?
The motorist who struck you is not always the only party responsible. In many of the accident cases we handle, multiple defendants and multiple policies are in play. Identifying all of them increases the total amount available to you.
- At-fault operator: Whether they were speeding, under the influence, or violating the rules, the operator can be held liable for the losses and economic damages they caused. Claims against uninsured motorists and underinsured motorists policies require additional legal process steps.
- Local municipalities: With qualified legal representation, it is possible to hold the city or the state accountable. If you were riding a poorly maintained path, critical signage was missing, or lights malfunctioned, governmental entities may have to satisfy your financial recovery demand.
- Manufacturers and distributors: If your model or a rental vehicle malfunctions, you can hold the manufacturer or rental firm liable. The insurance company responsible for the defect may also owe damages.
We investigate every cycling incident with the goal of identifying each defendant and available resources. More defendants means greater leverage and a stronger position if the matter proceeds to trial.
How We Prove Your Bicycle Accident Case
The driver who caused your incident, or their insurer, is liable for every dollar of economic damages produced. We build four elements before the insurer sees our demand.
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Duty of care
Every driver on Wisconsin roads has a legal obligation to watch for riders, yield at intersections, check mirrors before opening doors, and maintain a safe passing distance.
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Breach
A driver who texts behind the wheel, runs a red light, or passes without adequate clearance has breached that obligation. We prove it with police reports, camera footage, dashcam recordings, and cellphone records.
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Causation
We connect the breach to your injuries through medical records, reconstruction analysis, and expert testimony. The insurer will argue pre-existing conditions. We close that gap with information from your clinical records.
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Damages
We document every loss: emergency procedures, physical therapy, prescription costs, projected future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Our Recent Settlements
Our firm has successfully handled a wide range of bicycle accidents and car accidents, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and accidents involving operators without coverage. Recent results include:
What to Do After a Cycling Incident
The steps you take immediately after a cycling incident directly affect the strength of your position.
Step 1: Get to Safety and Call 911
Move if you are able. Request police and medical response. A police officer must be called to file an official report, as state law requires reporting any incident that involves harm or damage exceeding $1,000.
Step 2: Seek Medical Treatment
Go to the emergency room even if you feel fine. Concussions, internal bleeding, and hairline fractures often produce delayed symptoms. Medical records from that first visit establish a direct connection between your bicycle accident injuries and the incident.
Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene
Take photos of your condition, any cars involved, your damaged gear, and any hazards. Collect photos of the license plate and the surrounding area. Get contact information and names from witnesses.
Step 4: Contact Us Before Speaking with the Insurer
The opposing insurer will contact you quickly and request a recorded statement designed to limit what they pay. Do not provide one. Call 888-521-6377 and let us handle all communication from day one.
When Should You Contact a Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
If any of the following apply, contact a Milwaukee bicycle injury lawyer as early as possible to protect yourself:
- Your harm is significant. Hospitalization, surgery, broken bones, head trauma, or severe injuries all increase the value of your position. Act quickly before the insurer tries to undervalue it.
- The insurer is delaying, disputing liability, or offering a low settlement. Slow responses and lowball offers signal bad faith.
- Multiple defendants may share fault. Incidents involving hazards, construction zones, or several liable defendants require someone who can identify every liable party and pursue every available source of recovery.
- The operator fled the scene or was uninsured. In a hit-and-run bike accident case involving uninsured motorist coverage, we identify which policies apply and file the necessary personal injury claims on your behalf. If your loved one was injured or killed, we can obtain compensation through a wrongful death or survivor process.
How Your Case Works
- Free consultation. Call 888-521-6377 or submit the form on this page. Someone from our team contacts you the same day.
- Contingency fee agreement. You pay nothing out of pocket. Our fee is collected only when we recover fair compensation for you.
- Investigation. We reconstruct the collision using scene photographs, surveillance footage, depositions, medical records, and reconstruction experts.
- Demand and negotiation. We prepare a demand supported by documentation and backed by resources and thorough research into all sources of recovery.
- Trial if necessary. If the insurer refuses to pay fair value, we file suit. We have tried cases and know how to present these to a jury.
You communicate directly with your bike crash lawyer throughout the entire legal process. We provide regular updates on your situation, are available by phone whenever you have questions, and keep you informed at every stage.
Contact a Milwaukee Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Whether your situation resulted in minor losses or a catastrophic loss, our bicycle injury attorneys will pursue the maximum compensation you are owed. Our law offices help injured bicyclists recover across all exceptions to standard limitations. Contact us today through our website or by calling 888-521-6377, and a bike injury lawyer will respond promptly. There are no upfront costs, no hidden fees, and no charge of any kind unless we win. Your initial review is free and confidential, and there is absolutely no obligation to proceed after your initial conversation with us.
Share the details of your situation with us so we can begin advocating on your behalf. We customize our approach to fit the unique needs of each client.