The bias riders face
Motorcyclists are frequently assumed to have been speeding or riding recklessly, and insurers lean on that assumption to discount claims. A serious motorcycle case often turns on undoing that first impression — through the police report, scene evidence, vehicle damage, and, where needed, accident reconstruction that shows what actually happened.
Paul M. Marriett treats these cases as the serious-injury cases they usually are. When a driver turns left across a rider's path or fails to see a motorcycle at an intersection, the law does not excuse it because the victim was on two wheels.
Helmets and Wisconsin law
Wisconsin does not require most adult riders to wear a helmet. Whether or not you were wearing one, you retain the right to pursue a claim — though insurers may raise the issue, which is one more reason to have an attorney managing the conversation. Comparative-negligence rules apply here as in any crash: you can recover so long as you were not more at fault than the other party.
How motorcycle crashes happen
The great majority of motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and the pattern is usually the same: the driver didn't see the rider, or looked without really registering a motorcycle. Common scenarios around Madison include:
- Left-turn collisions — a driver turns left across a rider's path at an intersection, the single most common serious motorcycle crash.
- Lane-change and blind-spot crashes — a driver merges into a rider they never checked for.
- Following too closely — a motorcycle can stop faster than the driver behind expects.
- Dooring and road hazards — an opened car door, gravel, or a pothole that would be nothing to a car can put a rider down.
Establishing that the driver failed to yield or failed to see the rider — rather than the reverse — is often the heart of the case.
Common motorcycle accident injuries
With no cage, seatbelt, or airbag, a rider absorbs the crash directly. Injuries are frequently serious:
- Traumatic brain injuries — even with a helmet, the forces involved can cause lasting harm.
- Road rash — abrasion injuries that can require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring.
- Fractures and orthopedic injuries — to the legs, wrists, shoulders, and pelvis.
- Spinal cord injuries — among the most life-changing outcomes.
- Internal injuries — that may not be obvious at the scene.
Because these injuries often carry long recovery times, the future cost of care matters as much as the bills already in hand.
What your claim can cover
A well-documented motorcycle claim reflects the full weight of a serious injury. Depending on the facts, compensation may include:
- Emergency care, surgery, and ongoing medical treatment;
- Future medical care, rehabilitation, and any lasting disability;
- Lost income and reduced ability to earn a living going forward;
- Pain, suffering, and the effect of the injury on daily life;
- Damage to the motorcycle and riding gear.
No honest lawyer promises a figure up front. What Paul M. Marriett does is make sure the claim reflects the real, long-term picture rather than an insurer's early lowball.
What a case costs
Cases like this are handled on a contingency-fee basis: no hourly bills, and the attorney fee comes out of any recovery. Clients may be responsible for litigation costs and expenses regardless of outcome — Paul M. Marriett explains exactly how that works, in writing, before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
Does not wearing a helmet hurt my motorcycle accident claim?
Wisconsin does not require most adult riders to wear a helmet, and you keep the right to pursue a claim either way. Insurers may still raise the issue, which is one reason to let an attorney manage the conversation.
Who is usually at fault in a motorcycle crash?
Most motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and often the driver failed to see or yield to the rider — such as turning left across their path. Fault turns on the specific facts, which is why a careful investigation matters.
The driver says they never saw me. Does that help them?
No. Failing to see a motorcycle that was there to be seen is not a defense. Drivers have a duty to watch for and yield to riders, and "I didn't see the motorcycle" often points to the driver's own inattention.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Likely yes. Wisconsin's comparative-negligence rule lets you recover as long as you were not more at fault than the other party, with your recovery reduced by your share of fault.
What injuries do motorcycle accident claims cover?
A claim can account for the full range of harm — from road rash and fractures to brain and spinal injuries — including future care, lost income, and the effect on your daily life, not just the first medical bills.
How much does it cost to hire Paul for a motorcycle case?
Motorcycle cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis: no hourly bills, and the attorney fee comes out of any recovery. Clients may be responsible for litigation costs regardless of outcome, and Paul explains exactly how that works, in writing, before you sign.