You were lucky—very, very lucky. Any Wisconsin personal injury lawyer will tell you that most motorcycle crashes are extremely serious events.

Every year, about 80,000 to 90,000 people in the United States are injured while riding motorcycles. Between 4,000 to 5,000 of those people die. Some analysts say that over 80 percent of the accidents that cause any injury will include death or a serious injury that requires medical treatment. Of those serious injuries, head trauma and spinal cord injuries are the second-most common, just behind leg and foot injuries.

The fact that your bike got wrecked in your Green Bay motorcycle crash should have been a major clue about how risky accidents can be. Your bike was built of steel—that’s a lot more durable than your flesh. If your accident had happened just a tiny bit differently, it would have been your mangled body left on the road.

Why are motorcycle injuries so often serious?

When we compare injury rates between types of motor vehicle accidents, we find that the motorcycle rider is far more likely than a car driver to be injured seriously or die in a crash. That’s not a random result.
  • An automobile provides its driver and passengers with a protective barrier; bikes are exposed.
  • Cars have seat belts and airbags that are impractical safety devices for motorcyclists.
  • In a sudden stop, the motorcyclist is almost certain to be thrown from his or her vehicle, leading to serious injuries from striking objects and the ground. It is far rarer for a stop to eject a driver or passengers from a car.

Motorcyclists have access to one safety measure that car drivers don’t—a protective helmet. It’s appalling how often riders refuse to take advantage of that crucial accessory. Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System finds that more than half of all fatal motorcycle injuries were to riders and passengers who were not wearing helmets. riders who don’t wear helmets also are much more likely to suffer serious nonfatal injuries, too. The Centers for Disease Control concluded that, if every rider had voluntarily worn a helmet, the total number of fatal motorcycle injuries would drop by about 800 a year.

After the crash

Recovering physically from a serious Wisconsin motorcycle accident can be a long and painful process. Then there is the additional stress of dealing with financial issues. A victim will often be unable to work. He will be trying to deal with insurance companies to get help for medical bills and replacement or repair for his bike. No one should have to cope with these additional burdens while trying to recover from serious injuries.

An experienced Appleton motorcycle wreck attorney from the Hupy and Abraham law firm can make a huge difference. If you have suffered a loss from a Wisconsin motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we may be able to help you get full compensation for your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please contact us at 920-882-8382 (local) or (800) 800-5678 (toll-free) to arrange a free consultation about your case. Just for calling, we will send you a FREE copy of our book, The Ultimate Guide for Motorcycle Accident Victims, which will be yours to keep even if you do not hire us as your legal team.