Green Bay Bicycle Accident Attorney

Being in a bicycle accident is a painful experience that can have wide-ranging, even life-long consequences. You could be left with expensive medical bills that become compounded by lost wages from time missed at work. And if your injuries cause long-term impairment, the effects on your life, career, and overall happiness can become severe. You deserve compensation for this harm you’ve suffered, but getting it could prove challenging, especially while you’re still recovering from your injuries.

That’s where Schwaba Law Firm comes in. Andrew Schwaba’s mission is to protect you and recover the money you need to get your life back on track. He is ready to fight hard on your behalf, just as he’s done for past clients for whom he’s secured millions in fair compensation. With Andrew by your side, you can focus on what matters most: your health and your recovery.

Don’t get overwhelmed by the aftermath of a serious cycling accident. Contact Schwaba Law Firm today for a free consultation and get help from a Green Bay bicycle accident lawyer at no upfront cost to you.

What Are the Wisconsin Bicycle Laws?

Here are the most important bicycle laws everyone who cycles in the Badger State should know:

• General Rights and Responsibilities of Cyclists – Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as motorists, except where specific laws apply only to motor vehicles or would not reasonably apply to bicycles.
• Motorist Responsibilities When Overtaking Cyclists – Drivers must maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists on the road.
• Use of Controlled-Access Highways – Bicyclists are prohibited from using expressways or freeways if there are signs present forbidding their use.
• Turning Movements and Required Signals on Turning and Stopping – Bicyclists must signal turns that affect traffic and stops where feasible, though such signals need not be continuous if the rider needs their hands to control the bike.
• Special Rules Applicable to Bicycles and Cyclists – Bicyclists must ride on secure seats and must not carry more persons than their bicycles are designed to hold. Cyclists also cannot carry items that prevent them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars. Riders must not attach themselves or their bikes to other vehicles on the road.
• Riding Bicycles on the Roadway – Bicyclists should stay as far right on the road as practicable unless passing, preparing to turn, or avoiding hazards. Bicyclists can ride two abreast if they don’t impede traffic. Cyclists must yield to motor vehicles when entering highways.
• Riding Bicycles on Bicycle Paths – Cyclists must exercise caution and signal when passing, obey traffic control devices, and ride on the right side on two-way bike paths. They must also yield to others and limit their speed to 15 mph on bike paths.
• Riding Bicycles on Sidewalks – Where permitted, bicyclists on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians and signal when passing others who are going in the same direction.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Green Bay

Bicycle accidents can occur due to a variety of factors, many of which are not within the cyclist’s control. Here are some common causes for a bike accident in Green Bay, Wisconsin:

• Motorist Inattention or Distraction – Motorists who are texting, talking on the phone, eating, or simply not paying attention to the road sometimes overlook cyclists and cause accidents.
• Dooring Accidents – These incidents occur when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. The cyclist, unable to stop or swerve in time, crashes into the door.
• Improper Turns – Drivers who fail to properly check for cyclists while making left- or right-hand turns often end up colliding with them.
• Poor Road Conditions – Roads with potholes, debris, uneven surfaces, missing traffic signs, or inadequate bike lanes are dangerous for cyclists.
• Impaired Driving – Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol pose a significant risk to cyclists, as they have decreased attention, slower reaction times, and poorer decision-making abilities.
• Failure to Yield – Some bicycle accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way to cyclists at intersections, driveways, parking lots, or the ends of bicycle lanes.
• Speeding – Drivers who speed or drive too fast for conditions have less time to react to cyclists on the road, which increases the likelihood of bike accidents.
• Side-Swiping – This type of crash occurs when a motorist fails or refuses to give an adjacent cyclist the legally required three feet of clearance and strikes or brushes against them.
• Sudden Stops – When drivers stop suddenly without signaling, cyclists following behind might not have enough time to react and avoid rear-end crashes.

What to Do After a Bike Accident

Taking the following steps after a bicycle accident can aid you in your recovery and establish a strong foundation for any future insurance claim or lawsuit you file:

Common Types of Injuries from Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents often result in devastating injuries, particularly because riders lack the protective enclosures that cars provide for vehicle occupants. Factors like speed, collision type, and helmet use can also influence the nature of these injuries, which might include

How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits gives you three years from the date of a bicycle accident to pursue your claim. While this deadline does not apply to insurance claims, your ability to file suit is your biggest bargaining chip during settlement negotiations. Without it, the insurance company has little reason to make you a fair and full settlement offer.

Regardless of whether you need to sue to recover the money you deserve, it’s important to act as quickly as possible after a bicycle accident. Gathering evidence, establishing liability, and negotiating with insurance companies takes time, and missing any deadlines could result in your losing the right to seek compensation.

Instead of putting this at risk, consult with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Green Bay as soon as possible after an accident. That way, they have as much time as possible to pursue your case on your behalf.

Recoverable Compensation in a Green Bay Bicycle Accident Lawsuit

If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in Wisconsin, you could be entitled to money for a range of accident-related losses. These include tangible losses, such as medical expenses, and intangible losses, like reduced quality of life. This money is meant to return you to the condition you were in prior to the accident or as close to it as possible.

Here are the types of accident-related losses you could seek compensation for after a bicycle crash:

Why You Need a Green Bay Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you’ve been in a bicycle accident, it’s important to understand your rights and the steps you can take to pursue fair compensation. An experienced Green Bay bicycle accident attorney can provide vital assistance during this process by:

Get in Touch with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Green Bay

Were you hurt in a bicycle accident in the Green Bay, WI, area? If someone else was to blame, they could owe you money for all that their negligence cost you. Take the first step toward securing the justice and fair compensation you deserve. Contact Schwaba Law Firm today for your free initial case evaluation with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Green Bay.