The sun-dappled back roads of Wisconsin are the perfect place to enjoy a motorcycle ride—until a negligent driver turns a leisurely cruise into a painful nightmare. If you were in a serious motorcycle wreck, you may be facing a long road to recovery. To make matters worse, the insurance claims adjuster is already calling, pressing you to accept a lowball settlement offer before you even understand the full extent of your injuries.
When you're hurt and struggling to pay your bills, that initial settlement can seem tempting. However, accepting it could prevent you from securing the compensation you need and deserve. That's where the experienced Wisconsin motorcycle accident attorneys at Hupy and Abraham, S.C. come in. For over 50 years, our Wisconsin law firm has provided unparalleled legal representation to injured riders and their families, fighting insurance companies to maximize our clients' financial recoveries.
Countering the Insurance Company's Tactics
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. They boost their bottom lines by collecting as much as possible in premiums while paying out as little as possible in claims. When you're pursuing a motorcycle accident claim, it's crucial to understand that the insurance adjuster's goal directly opposes yours. While you're focused on securing a fair settlement, they're searching for any way they can to reduce or deny your claim.
Some common insurance company tactics include:
- Requesting a recorded statement. The adjuster may pressure you to provide a recorded statement about the accident and your injuries. They're hoping you'll say something that can be used to undermine your claim.
- Making a quick settlement offer. Claims adjusters know that many motorcycle accident victims are in a difficult financial position. They may offer a fast settlement, hoping you'll accept it before you know the full extent of your losses.
- Disputing the severity of your injuries. If you have a preexisting condition or there's a gap in your medical treatment, the adjuster may argue that you aren't as badly hurt as you claim or that the accident didn't cause your injuries.
- Shifting blame for the accident. Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence rule in personal injury claims. If the insurance company can pin any amount of fault on you, it reduces the potential compensation you can receive.
Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys anticipate these tactics and have proven strategies to counter them. At Hupy and Abraham, we handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf, protecting your rights at every step of the way.
Demanding Fair Compensation
After a serious motorcycle accident, you need compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, prescriptions, and physical therapy
- Lost wages while you're too hurt to work
- Diminished future earning capacity if you suffer long-term disabilities
- Pain and suffering for your physical and emotional anguish
- Damage to your motorcycle and riding gear
When our attorneys calculate the value of your motorcycle accident claim, we consider all these factors as well as your future anticipated needs. Then we gather evidence to build the strongest possible case arguing for maximum compensation.
This process often involves:
- Thoroughly investigating the accident to determine fault
- Examining police reports and eyewitness statements
- Analyzing photos and surveillance camera footage
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
- Reviewing your medical records with experts who can testify to the extent of your injuries
- Documenting all your accident-related expenses and losses
Armed with this evidence, we present a demand to the insurance company for full and fair compensation. Many claims settle through aggressive negotiation at this stage. However, if the adjuster still refuses to make an acceptable offer, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
Appealing a Denial
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, an insurance company flat-out denies a valid motorcycle accident claim. But a denial isn't the end of the road.
As seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys, we are well-versed in the insurance company's appeals process. We can help you gather the necessary evidence and documentation, ensure you meet all applicable deadlines, and present the most persuasive arguments for overturning the denial. If the internal appeals process does not yield a positive outcome, we can explore additional options, such as filing a complaint with the state insurance board or pursuing a bad faith claim against the insurer.
Dedicated Legal Advocates for Wisconsin Riders
At Hupy and Abraham, we believe that every motorcycle accident victim deserves personalized attention, unparalleled service, and the maximum compensation possible. We know that injured riders and their families depend on us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and we strive to exceed their expectations. No case is too big or too small, and we prepare every claim as if it will go to trial.
Our law firm has secured over $2 Billion in settlements and verdicts for more than 80,000 clients throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. We've also been named "Best Personal Injury Lawyer" in both the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Wisconsin Law Journal Reader Rankings for many consecutive years.
In addition to providing exceptional legal representation, Hupy and Abraham's mission is "to do well by doing good." We give back over $1 million annually to worthwhile causes and organizations in the communities we serve. By sponsoring scholarship programs, youth mentoring, safety initiatives, and other charitable endeavors, we enrich the neighborhoods where our clients live and work.
Were you or a loved one injured in a motorcycle accident in Wisconsin? You don't have to deal with the insurance claims adjuster alone. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Hupy and Abraham are ready to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
