Sideswipe Motorcycle Accidents in Wisconsin

A sideswipe motorcycle accident can send you skidding across pavement, into traffic, or off the road entirely. While the at-fault driver may walk away with minor damage, you may face broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and worse. If you’ve been injured in a sideswipe motorcycle accident in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, here’s what you need to know about your rights and recovering the compensation you deserve. 

What Causes Sideswipe Motorcycle Collisions?

Sideswipe accidents happen when a vehicle strikes a motorcycle from the side, often while both are traveling in the same direction. These collisions are almost always preventable and typically result from driver negligence or inattention. Motorcycles are smaller and harder to spot, but that doesn’t excuse a driver’s failure to check their surroundings before making a move.

Common causes of sideswipe motorcycle collisions include:

• Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes or merging
• Distracted driving, including texting, adjusting controls, or talking to passengers
• Aggressive lane changes without signaling or allowing adequate space
• Misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or distance when attempting to pass or merge
• Poor weather conditions combined with unsafe driving behavior
• Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or fatigue

Determining Fault in a Wisconsin Sideswipe Motorcycle Crash

Wisconsin follows a fault-based system for traffic accidents. This means that if someone causes an accident and you are injured, you have the right to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit against them. However, you must show that they were at fault for your accident. 

If a driver changed lanes without signaling or checking their blind spot and struck you, they are typically at fault. Similarly, if a driver drifted out of their lane due to distraction or impairment, liability rests with them. In cases where a driver attempted to squeeze past you in a narrow lane or misjudged the space available, they bear responsibility for the collision.

However, if you were speeding excessively, weaving between lanes, or riding in a driver’s blind spot for an extended period, you may share some fault. Even in these situations, you may still be entitled to some compensation under Wisconsin’s comparative fault laws.

How to Build a Strong Claim After a Sideswipe Accident

Building a strong claim requires evidence, documentation, and legal experience. A Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash, gather police reports, interview witnesses, and work with accident reconstruction experts to establish the other driver’s fault. Your attorney will also document your injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, and other losses to calculate the true value of your claim. 

Insurance companies often try to minimize their financial liability by downplaying damages or shifting blame onto the motorcyclist. An experienced lawyer knows how to counter these tactics and negotiate aggressively on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to trial.

Contact Our Milwaukee Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

Sideswipe collisions may seem minor to the driver who caused them, but for motorcyclists, these crashes can result in catastrophic injuries or death. Cannon & Dunphy S.C. fights for motorcyclists who have been seriously injured through no fault of their own. Your recovery both physical and financial is our priority. Contact us at (262) 239-4124 today for a free case evaluation and start fighting for the compensation you deserve.