200 Bikes, One Bad Turn
Lessons from the Buffalo County Group Ride Crash
On October 25, 2025, what started as a perfect fall ride through Wisconsin’s bluff country ended in chaos.
Around 1:30 p.m., a large group of nearly 200 motorcycles was heading north on State Road 88 near Gilmanton in Buffalo County when one rider lost control and went off the road. In an instant, two more riders crashed trying to avoid the wreck, and several were left badly hurt.
According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and WEAU 13 News, at least two motorcyclists were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The road was shut down for hours while emergency responders worked the scene.
It was a devastating end to a day that was supposed to be about freedom, friendship, and the joy of riding Wisconsin’s scenic backroads.
At Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm, we help riders and their families after crashes like this — and we also help the riding community learn from them. Here’s what every Wisconsin rider should know about group-ride safety, liability, and protecting your rights when the unexpected happens.
What Happened in Buffalo County
Early reports from local media paint a picture of a classic chain-reaction crash:
One motorcyclist in the lead group lost control on a curve and went down an embankment.
A second rider tried to avoid the fallen bike, also losing control.
A third struck the second motorcycle and was thrown into a ditch.
Multiple riders were injured, and several bikes were heavily damaged.
No alcohol or criminal charges have been reported, and weather was clear. This looks like an accident caused by rider positioning, group dynamics, and road geometry — not recklessness.
That’s what makes this crash so relatable. It could happen to almost anyone who rides in a pack on Wisconsin’s winding county highways.
Why Group-Ride Crashes Are So Legally Complex
When two vehicles crash, investigators can usually identify who did what. But when dozens or hundreds of motorcycles are traveling together, things get much harder.
Here’s why:
1. Multiple Riders, Multiple Policies
Each rider typically carries their own motorcycle insurance. After a multi-bike crash, every insurer investigates separately — sometimes pointing fingers at each other. Riders who weren’t at fault can end up fighting multiple carriers just to get medical bills paid.
2. Shared Road Conditions
If gravel, potholes, or uneven pavement contributed to the crash, the road authority (city, county, or state) could share liability. Wisconsin law allows injury claims against government entities, but the notice deadlines are short — often just 120 days after the crash. Waiting too long can mean losing your right to recover damages.
3. Chain-Reaction Liability
Even careful riders can get caught in a domino effect when the rider ahead brakes suddenly or slides out. Under Wisconsin’s comparative negligence law (Wis. Stat. § 895.045), you can still recover compensation if you were less than 51% at fault — but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example: if you’re found 20% responsible, your recovery is reduced by 20%. That’s why a strong reconstruction and witness statements matter so much.
4. Conflicting Accounts
With dozens of eyewitnesses and scattered debris, no two stories match exactly. Helmet cameras, GPS data, and phone photos can become critical pieces of evidence later.
A knowledgeable motorcycle attorney can coordinate those pieces — reconstructing the scene, preserving evidence, and ensuring that insurers don’t twist the story.
Understanding Group-Ride Dynamics
Group rides are a Wisconsin tradition. From charity poker runs to scenic autumn rides along the Mississippi, thousands of riders take part every year. But as the Buffalo County crash shows, the bigger the group, the bigger the risk.
Even when everyone rides responsibly, several factors make large rides more dangerous:
Tight spacing: Riders often follow too closely, leaving no margin for error.
Rubber-band effect: Each small speed change at the front multiplies farther back.
Distracted focus: Riders spend more time watching each other than scanning for hazards.
Mixed skill levels: Experienced and new riders mixing together increases unpredictability.
Unfamiliar roads: Curvy terrain, blind driveways, and rural shoulders create surprises.
None of this means group rides should stop — but it does mean planning and discipline matter.
7 Ways to Stay Safer on Wisconsin Group Rides
If you’re organizing or joining a large ride, here are steps that can reduce your risk:
Split into smaller packs.
Keep each group to 6–8 bikes with a lead and sweep rider. Leave space between groups.Ride in a staggered formation.
Left-right-left pattern gives each rider a two-second cushion and clear sightlines.Know the route.
Pre-ride briefings and GPS maps prevent sudden confusion mid-curve.Communicate clearly.
Hand signals and helmet-to-helmet communication systems reduce panic reactions.Ride your own ride.
Don’t push beyond your comfort level just to keep up. Falling back a few seconds is safer than forcing a turn.Leave room for error.
Especially on country roads with gravel shoulders and tight turns, space saves lives.Record the ride responsibly.
Cameras mounted properly (not handheld) can provide evidence if something goes wrong.
After a Group-Ride Crash: What to Do
Even a minor crash can become complicated fast. If you’re injured in a Wisconsin motorcycle accident — especially one involving multiple riders — follow these steps to protect yourself legally:
Get medical attention immediately.
Adrenaline hides injuries. Always get checked, even if you feel “fine.”Call law enforcement.
Insist on an official crash report. In multi-rider crashes, it creates a clear record of names, statements, and vehicle positions.Preserve your bike and gear.
Don’t repair or dispose of your motorcycle, helmet, or clothing until your attorney advises. They may be key evidence.Document everything.
Photos of the road, bikes, and injuries — plus the group ride’s route or event details — can make or break your claim.Avoid social media.
Anything you post may be used against you by insurance companies or defense lawyers.Contact a Wisconsin motorcycle injury lawyer quickly.
The sooner your lawyer can gather witness statements, traffic-cam footage, and scene evidence, the stronger your case.
How a Wisconsin Motorcycle Lawyer Can Help
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law – Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm, we’ve seen how one second on the road can change a rider’s life forever.
Here’s what we do for injured riders and their families:
Investigate every angle.
We work with accident-reconstruction experts familiar with motorcycle physics and group-ride dynamics.Deal with the insurance battle.
We take over communication with every insurer involved so you can focus on healing.Identify all potential defendants.
Sometimes another rider, a road contractor, or even a defective part shares the blame. We don’t stop until we’ve found every responsible party.Fight for full compensation.
That includes medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and — in fatal cases — wrongful-death damages for surviving family members.Keep you informed.
You’ll talk directly with an attorney, not a call-center or paralegal. Calls, texts, or emails go straight to us.
Our goal isn’t just to win cases. It’s to make Wisconsin safer for riders and to stand up for the people who love motorcycles as much as we do.
What This Crash Teaches All Wisconsin Riders
The Buffalo County crash reminds us of three truths:
Even experienced riders are vulnerable.
A single mistake or patch of gravel can ripple through an entire convoy.Preparation and spacing save lives.
Large rides are safest when they’re organized, not improvised.Your rights matter after the crash.
Insurance companies may try to downplay your injuries or blame you for someone else’s mistake. Having an advocate who rides — and who knows Wisconsin’s motorcycle laws — can make all the difference.
We Stand with Wisconsin’s Riding Community
Every rider injured in that Buffalo County crash had family, friends, and a story.
We know the roads they were riding — from the Driftless hills to the Great River Road — and we know how fast a good day can turn tragic.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a group-ride crash, a Buffalo County motorcycle accident, or any motorcycle collision in Wisconsin, reach out for a free, confidential case evaluation.
We’ll listen. We’ll help you understand your options. And if we can’t take the case, we’ll point you to someone who can.
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If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, your message goes straight to our attorney inbox. We usually respond the same business day.