1. Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, insurance disputes
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, left-turn crashes, intersection accidents, lane change collisions, drunk driver accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence preservation, insurance negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation
Background: Hupy and Abraham has handled over 70,000 cases and recovered more than $2 billion for clients. The firm has attorneys who are motorcycle enthusiasts themselves and understand rider perspectives. They are licensed to practice in Wisconsin state and federal courts.
Location: 10 E. Doty Street, Suite 800, Madison, WI 53703
Contact: (608) 277-7777 | https://www.hupy.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no fee unless recovery)
2. Kasieta Legal Group, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, insurance claims, vehicle accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, intersection crashes, highway accidents, drunk driver collisions, distracted driving accidents, lane change crashes
Legal Services: Case investigation, police report analysis, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, settlement representation, trial litigation, damages recovery
Background: Kasieta Legal Group has over 25 years of experience representing injury victims in Madison and throughout Wisconsin. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases from investigation through trial.
Location: Madison, WI
Contact: (608) 662-1990 | https://www.kasietalegal.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
3. Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. vehicle collisions, left-turn accidents, intersection crashes, highway motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents, defective motorcycle claims, road hazard accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive case evaluation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, insurance negotiation, personal injury litigation, appellate representation
Background: Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs is a personal injury firm with attorneys licensed in Wisconsin. The firm handles complex motorcycle accident litigation and has trial experience in state and federal courts.
Location: Madison, WI
Contact: (608) 442-7500 | https://www.grantlawoffice.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Gruber Law Offices, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, vehicle accidents, insurance disputes
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, rear-end crashes, intersection accidents, drunk driver collisions, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Gruber Law Offices has over 40 years of experience serving injury victims in Wisconsin. The firm is known for handling personal injury cases throughout the state, including motorcycle accidents.
Location: Madison, WI (multiple Wisconsin locations)
Contact: (608) 231-1777 | https://www.gruber-law.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Clifford Law Offices (Clifford & Raihala, S.C.)
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, vehicle accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection crashes, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, hit-and-run cases
Legal Services: Case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence collection, insurance negotiation, trial representation, damages recovery
Background: Clifford & Raihala has served Wisconsin injury victims since 1974. The firm has experience with motorcycle accident cases and personal injury litigation in Madison and surrounding areas.
Location: Madison, WI
Contact: (608) 270-0200 | https://www.cliffordraihala.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Wisconsin
Statute of Limitations: Wisconsin has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents (Wisconsin Statutes Section 893.54). Missing this deadline will bar your ability to file a lawsuit and recover compensation.
Comparative Negligence: Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault for the accident. Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
Helmet Law: Wisconsin does not require adult motorcyclists to wear helmets. Riders under 18 years of age and those operating with an instructional permit must wear DOT-approved helmets.
Eye Protection: Wisconsin requires motorcyclists to wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield of at least 15 inches in height.
Lane Splitting: Lane splitting is prohibited in Wisconsin. Motorcycles must operate within designated lanes and cannot pass between lanes of traffic.
Insurance Requirements: Wisconsin requires liability insurance for motorcycles with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage.
Motorcycle Licensing: Operators must have a valid Class M license or a regular driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement. Wisconsin requires completion of a Basic Rider Course or passing a skills test.
Handlebar Height: Handlebars cannot extend above the operator’s shoulder height when seated.
Passenger Requirements: Motorcycles must have a permanent seat and footrests for passengers.
Accident Statistics: Wisconsin reported 1,992 motorcycle crashes in 2021, resulting in 1,649 injuries and 113 fatalities. Motorcycles represent approximately 2% of registered vehicles but account for 14% of traffic deaths. Madison specifically reported 40 motorcycle crashes with 35 injuries and 4 fatalities in a recent year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Madison, Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from motorcycle accidents. The clock begins on the date of the accident. Failing to file a lawsuit within this three-year period will permanently bar your claim. While three years may seem like adequate time, gathering evidence, completing medical treatment, and building a strong case takes time. Consulting with an attorney soon after your accident is advisable.
How does Wisconsin’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
Wisconsin uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can recover compensation as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything. If your fault is 50% or less, your damages will be reduced proportionally. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies will attempt to assign fault to motorcyclists to reduce their payout obligations.
Does not wearing a helmet affect my motorcycle accident claim in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin does not require adult motorcyclists to wear helmets. However, if you sustain head injuries in an accident while not wearing a helmet, the defense may argue that your injuries were more severe than they would have been with helmet use. This could potentially affect the damages awarded for head injuries under comparative negligence principles. Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended for safety regardless of legal requirements.
What compensation can I recover in a Wisconsin motorcycle accident case?
If another party’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, future medical costs, diminished earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability). Wisconsin does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. Punitive damages may be available in cases involving egregious conduct.
What are common causes of motorcycle accidents in Madison?
Common causes include left-turn collisions where drivers fail to see motorcycles, intersection accidents, lane change crashes, rear-end collisions, drunk driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, and road hazards. Certain Madison intersections, including North Broom Street and West Gilman Street, have higher accident rates. Weather conditions, particularly during Wisconsin’s variable seasons, can also contribute to motorcycle accidents through reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces.