Experienced And Reliable Madison, Wisconsin, Bicycle Accident Attorneys

With its vibrant culture and extensive bike paths, Madison is a city where biking is a way of life. The large student population at the University of Wisconsin-Madison often relies on bicycles for transportation. This popularity also leads to a higher risk of accidents. The injuries sustained by cyclists caught in a collision can be devastating. When a bicycle accident turns your world upside down, having an experienced Madison bicycle accident lawyer on your side is critical.

Since 1997, our attorneys at Kasieta Legal Group, LLC, have been fiercely advocating for the rights of injured bicyclists across Wisconsin. Our team of lawyers has over 90 years of combined experience successfully handling complex personal injury claims, including those involving bicycle accidents in Dane County. We provide a client-first approach, offering sound legal guidance if you or a loved one is injured in a bicycle accident.

Why Choose Our Madison Bicycle Accident Lawyers?

When you’re injured in a bicycle accident, you need a fierce and compassionate advocate. As your attorneys, we are committed to achieving a positive outcome as well as making the legal process as manageable as possible for you.

Here’s why clients choose our team:

• Experience in both sides of cases: Our founding attorney, Robert Kasieta, spent 14 years representing insurance companies. This gave him valuable insight into how they operate and the strategies they use to minimize payouts. Our lawyers now use that inside knowledge to anticipate insurance deceptions, and we build a stronger case for you.
• A legacy of tireless advocacy and community support: Attorney Kasieta has been consistently included in the Super Lawyers list for 21 years. He serves as a mentor to future lawyers, teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. He is also an active community leader who has been a longtime sponsor of American Players Theatre, serves as president of the local food pantry and even held elective and appointed office.
• A reputation built on trust: Many clients are referred to us from former clients and members of our community, and from judges and court staff who observed our work firsthand.

While no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome, our lawyers have a strong track record of achieving significant jury verdicts and settlements for personal injury clients. Our clients can be confident that their case is in capable hands.

Case Results For Madison Cyclists And Other Injured Bikers

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they can help show the type of serious bicycle accident claims our firm has handled. Our attorneys have recovered significant settlements for injured bikers, including:

• $500,000 settlement: Secured for a biker who was the victim of a hit-and-run collision.
• $300,000 settlement: Full insurance policy limit secured for a biker who was hit by a car at an intersection. Police cited the biker for failure to yield after the biker told the responding police officer that she “rolled through” the intersection.
• $750,000 settlement: Settlement obtained for a biker and his spouse after the biker was hit by a motorist who was transporting cattle.

These results reflect the firm’s experience with contested liability, difficult insurance issues and serious injuries. Every bicycle accident case is different, so our attorneys take the time to review the facts, explain your options and build a strategy based on what happened to you.

Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents In Dane County

One of the primary issues surrounding cyclists is the difficulty of sharing the road safely. Many factors contribute to these accidents, including:

• Distracted driving
• Failure to yield
• Dooring
• Poor road conditions

In accidents involving any of these factors, cyclists experience injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening. Common injuries include head injuries, fractures, spinal or soft tissue injuries, all posing insurmountable financial burdens.

Navigating Wisconsin Bicycle Laws And Insurance Tactics After A Madison Bike Crash

Madison has popular cycling routes and bike-heavy areas near the UW-Madison campus, University Avenue, State Street, Capitol Square, the Capital City Trail, the Southwest Commuter Path and lakefront routes around Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. These same areas can also create risks when drivers turn across bike lanes, open doors into traffic, fail to yield at intersections or overlook cyclists in busy downtown traffic.

Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence law can become a major issue after a bike accident. Insurance companies may argue that the cyclist was riding too fast, failed to yield, ignored traffic signs or should have avoided the crash. If they can shift enough blame to the injured cyclist, they may try to reduce or deny payment.

Robert Kasieta’s 14 years in insurance defense give our firm a practical advantage in these disputes. He understands how insurers review claims, value injuries and build defenses. Our team uses that insight to challenge unfair fault arguments, investigate the crash scene, review police reports, gather witness accounts and show how the driver’s conduct caused the collision.

Understanding Wisconsin Bicycle Laws

Wisconsin has specific laws designed to protect cyclists and help ensure their road safety. Key points include:

• Bike lanes: Cyclists are encouraged to use bike lanes where available, but have the right to use the full lane when necessary.
• Lights and reflectors: Bicycles must have a white front light and a red rear reflector or light when riding at night.
• Helmet use: While not legally required for adults, helmet use is strongly recommended to help prevent head injuries.

Understanding these laws can help cyclists and motorists coexist more safely on the road.

Types Of Compensation You Can Recover After A Bike Accident

Wisconsin law allows you to seek payment for the full extent of your losses. Our lawyers are here to help you identify every possible form of financial recovery, including compensation for:

• Medical costs: From emergency room visits to physical therapy and future medical needs because of your injuries.
• Lost income: If your injuries kept you from working, you can seek compensation for the money you’ve lost, as well as any future income you might miss out on if the injury affects your ability to work long-term.
• Pain and suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve had to go through because of your injuries.
• Property damage: Compensation can also cover the repair or replacement of your bicycle and any other personal items that were damaged in the crash.
• Other losses: Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could be entitled to additional payment for things such as permanent disfigurement and disability.

The last thing you need while healing from the accident is added financial stress. That is why our firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay upfront fees and you don’t pay anything unless we obtain compensation for you. You can focus on your health and well-being. We’ll take care of the legal issues.

How A Madison Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

Consulting with a bicycle accident attorney can be invaluable if you are involved in a bicycle accident. They can assist with:

• Investigation: A lawyer can thoroughly investigate the accident to determine liability.
• Negotiation: They can negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation.
• Litigation: They can represent you in court, if necessary, to pursue justice.

Working with our lawyers can help you understand the complexities of legal claims, protect your rights and minimize any liability on your part.

What Should I Do If A Car Door Hit Me While I Was Biking In Madison?

If a car door hits you while you were biking in Madison, get medical care, report the crash and avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. These “dooring” accidents are common in Madison, especially where street parking sits near bike lanes.

Dooring crashes can happen on busy corridors such as University Avenue, State Street, Capitol Square and streets near the UW-Madison campus. A driver or passenger may open a door without checking for an approaching cyclist, leaving the rider with no time to avoid impact. These cases often turn on details such as where the vehicle was parked, whether the door opened into a bike lane and what witnesses saw.

What Are My Rights If I Was Hit By A Car While Biking On Or Near UW-Madison Campus?

If you were hit by a car while cycling on or near the UW-Madison campus, you may have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, bike damage and other losses. A cyclist injured near campus has the same right to pursue a claim as any other injured person in Wisconsin.

Campus-area crashes may involve students, commuters, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers, buses, pedestrians and heavy traffic. Accidents can happen near University Avenue, Johnson Street, Park Street, State Street, campus bike paths and nearby intersections. Our lawyers can review the crash report, photos, witness statements and available insurance coverage to determine who may be responsible.

Other Common Concerns About Bicycle Accident Claims In Wisconsin

Bicycle accidents can be confusing and nerve-wracking, and it can be difficult to know what to do in the aftermath. To help, we’ve answered some questions we often receive from our clients about what to do and how the law applies to their situation.

What should you do immediately after a bicycle accident?

Getting medical care should be your first step, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, don’t show symptoms until later. By then, it may be too late to treat them effectively or, in worst-case scenarios, they may even be fatal.

Getting checked by a doctor after the accident ensures that you receive the treatment you need. It also creates an official record of your injuries, which can be crucial when you take legal action. If possible, also:

• Report the accident right away: An official police report is a key piece of evidence for insurance companies and for your attorney.
• Gather information: Collect the names, phone numbers and addresses of everyone involved, including witnesses. Be sure to get the driver’s license, license plate and insurance information.
• Use your phone to take photos of everything: This includes your injuries, damage to your bike, the vehicles involved and the general scene, including road conditions and traffic signs.

More importantly, avoid making any statements to insurance companies without legal counsel. If you have to provide a statement, provide only factual information. Contact a Madison bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case and to learn about your options.

Can you recover damages even if you are partly at fault?

Yes. Wisconsin follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule, which means you may still be able to recover compensation even if you are partially responsible for the accident. Your percentage of fault, however, will reduce your total compensation. For example, if a person is 20% at fault for the accident, their final jury verdict would be reduced by 20%.

Where a jury finds fault on the injured person is greater than 50%, the injured person will not be able to recover any damages. This is why it’s so important to have an experienced attorney on your side who can advocate for you and work to protect your right to compensation.

Madison And Wisconsin Bicycle Safety Resources

Cyclists in Madison can also find route information, safety updates and community resources through local and statewide organizations, including:

• Madison Bikes: A local group focused on making Madison a safer and more welcoming place to bike.
• Wisconsin Bike Fed: A statewide bicycle advocacy organization with route information, education and cycling resources.
• City of Madison biking and walking resources: Local bike maps, project updates and route planning tools for Madison cyclists.
• UW-Madison transportation resources: Campus biking information for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

These resources can help riders plan safer routes, follow local updates and stay connected with the Madison cycling community.

Talk To Our Madison Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today

A bicycle accident can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the legal challenges alone. At Kasieta Legal Group, LLC, we put our clients’ well-being first. Let our Madison bicycle accident lawyers’ decades of combined experience work for you. Call our office today at 608-291-9650 or reach out online.