An intersection is one of the most dangerous places for motorcyclists. A biker is more likely to get hit at an intersection than they are out on the open road. At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand whether you can sue for a wreck. These are complex events, and you need our experience to determine your legal rights following a collision.
Types of Intersection Accidents
Our clients are often struck in the following type of accidents:
- Rear-end collisions. Stopping at a light puts a motorcyclist at risk of being struck from behind by an approaching vehicle. Unfortunately, there is no room to take defensive action, and you can suffer terrible injuries.
- Left-turn collisions. A car waiting to make a left-hand turn might not even see a motorcyclist coming through the intersection. As a result, they pull into directly in front of you, leading to a crash.
- Sideswipes. You might be stopped at a light on a multi-lane road. When the light turns green, a car beside you could try to pull into your lane without any consideration that you have a right to be there.
Even though these accidents might happen at low speeds, they are still serious. Motorcyclists are typically tossed from their bikes and suffer serious injuries like fractures, concussions, and road rash. You should immediately go to the hospital for medical care.
Intersection Accidents & Fault
Who is to blame for an intersection accident? Our legal team can help investigate. The answer to this question will determine whether you can receive compensation for your injuries.
There are many reasons for accidents, including:
- Distraction—a motorist might be texting and driving or talking on the phone and not paying attention.
- Impatience—many drivers are in a hurry today and they don’t want to wait.
- Fatigue—a tired driver might fail to notice a motorcyclist or even nod off and cause a wreck.
- Impairment—chemically impaired motorists often have delayed reflexes or engage in risky behavior.
When a driver is reckless or negligent, they are responsible and should pay compensation to cover a variety of losses suffered, such as medical care.
Lane Splitting: Is It Legal?
Some bikers hope to protect themselves at intersections by lane splitting. This is a self-defense strategy on multi-lane roads. For example, you might stop at lights and snuggle in between cars, which can protect you if a distracted motorist comes up behind and fails to stop in time. In that case, they’ll hit the cars, not you.
However, Wisconsin does not allow lane splitting, even for your own safety. You could be found partially at fault if you were lane splitting in the lead up to the crash.
Were You Injured in an Intersection?Please call our law firm for answers to your questions. We can help analyze all information about the crash to determine your legal rights. If hired, we will immediately begin negotiating a settlement for compensation with the motorist at fault for hitting you.