Broken Bones and Fractures After a Motorcycle Accident in Wisconsin

It Might “Just” Be a Broken Bone — But You Know It’s So Much More Than That

If you’ve suffered broken bones in a motorcycle crash, you’ve probably heard some version of this: “Well, it could have been worse.”

And sure, maybe it wasn’t a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t serious. It doesn’t mean you didn’t go through hell — and it definitely doesn’t mean you’re fine.

Fractures can take you off the road, out of work, and away from the life you were building. Recovery is often long, painful, and frustrating. And when insurance companies act like it’s “just a broken bone,” they’re ignoring the reality of what you’re actually dealing with.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we represent Wisconsin riders who’ve been seriously injured in motorcycle crashes — including those who’ve suffered fractures, compound breaks, crushed bones, and shattered joints. We know how hard it is to bounce back after a crash. And we’ll fight to make sure you’re fully compensated.

Types of Fractures Common in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crashes put riders’ entire bodies at risk. Unlike car crashes, there’s no steel cage, no airbags, and no seatbelts. Just you, your bike, and the road. When a crash happens, broken bones are often one of the first — and most painful — injuries.

Here are some of the most common fractures we see in Wisconsin motorcycle crash cases:

Leg Fractures

Femur (thighbone) – One of the strongest bones in the body, but in a crash, it can break from direct impact or being pinned under a vehicle.
Tibia and fibula (lower leg) – Often broken in T-bone or rear-end collisions where the rider’s legs are crushed or trapped.
Knee fractures or shattered patella – Extremely painful and often require surgery and long-term rehab.

Arm and Wrist Fractures

Radius and ulna (forearm bones) – Common in riders who instinctively brace for impact.
Wrist and hand fractures – Happen when riders hit the ground or slide with hands outstretched. These can lead to permanent mobility issues.
Humerus (upper arm) – Often fractured in ejection crashes or when a rider is slammed against another object.

Shoulder and Clavicle (Collarbone) Breaks

These injuries often happen in low-side falls, when the rider slides out and lands hard on one side. The collarbone is especially vulnerable during impact with the ground or a vehicle.

Rib Fractures

Broken ribs may sound less severe, but they can lead to punctured lungs, internal bleeding, or long-term breathing problems — and they make every breath or movement a challenge.

Pelvic Fractures

Serious pelvic breaks are most often seen in high-speed crashes or when the rider is hit while stopped. These injuries are extremely painful, often require surgery, and can keep you off your feet for months.

Spinal Fractures

While these are more serious and often classified under spinal cord injuries, non-paralyzing spinal fractures are still common and can result in chronic pain, nerve damage, and limited mobility.

What Kind of Motorcycle Crashes Lead to Fractures?

Virtually every kind of motorcycle accident can cause broken bones — but certain crash types make them far more likely:

Left-Turn Accidents

When a car turns left in front of a rider going straight, it’s usually the rider’s body that takes the worst of it. Head-on impacts and being thrown from the bike can lead to femur, pelvis, or arm fractures.

Rear-End Collisions

Getting hit from behind while stopped at a light or in traffic often crushes a rider’s lower body between two vehicles. Tibia, fibula, foot, and ankle fractures are common.

Lane-Change or Sideswipe Crashes

If a car merges into your lane without seeing you, your legs can be pinned or dragged. Crushing fractures, especially to the legs, hands, or ribs, are likely.

High-Side or Low-Side Falls

Losing traction in a curve or emergency braking situation can cause the bike to flip or slide out, throwing the rider. These incidents frequently lead to collarbone, shoulder, and wrist fractures.

Guardrail and Barrier Impacts

Slamming into a guardrail or post can break bones at the point of impact — or worse, cause multiple fractures along one side of the body depending on how and where the rider hits.

Healing Takes Time — And So Does Getting Justice

Here’s the thing about broken bones: people assume you’re fine once the cast comes off. But if you’ve been through it, you know that’s not the full story.

Fractures often require:

Surgery with metal plates, rods, or screws
Long-term physical therapy
Follow-up surgeries to remove hardware
Ongoing pain, swelling, or nerve damage
Inability to return to the same job
Time off work or out of riding
Mental health struggles from trauma or feeling “stuck” in recovery

We’ve represented riders who couldn’t grip their handlebars the same way after a wrist fracture… couldn’t stand for long hours at work after a broken femur… or couldn’t ride at all without pain after a spinal fracture.

Your injuries aren’t just physical. They ripple out into every part of your life. And if someone else caused your crash, they should be held accountable.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Fracture?

If your motorcycle crash was caused by a careless or reckless driver, you may be able to recover damages for:

Emergency medical care
Surgery and hospital stays
Follow-up appointments, imaging, and medication
Physical and occupational therapy
Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of mobility or quality of life
Permanent disability or impairment

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we don’t take the insurance company’s first offer. We build a case that reflects the real impact of your injuries — physical, emotional, and financial.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Lawyer Who Gets It

This isn’t a fender bender. It’s a motorcycle injury case — and it comes with its own set of legal, medical, and strategic challenges.

We’re not just personal injury lawyers. We’re Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm, built specifically to represent riders. We understand:

How motorcycle crashes happen
How to prove liability when the driver blames the rider
How fractures affect riders’ careers, hobbies, and daily life
How to work with orthopedic and medical experts to prove damages
How to push back when insurers say “you’re fine now”

We also know that a broken bone does not mean a small case. If you can’t ride, can’t work, or can’t move the way you used to — that matters. And we’ll make sure it matters in your claim.

Our Contingency Fee Promise

We don’t get paid unless you do.

30% if your case settles before we file a lawsuit
33% if we file
40% if we go to trial or fight off a motion for summary judgment

You don’t owe us anything upfront, and we cover all case costs until we win — including filing fees, expert witnesses, and investigators. No hidden fees. No fine print.

Get Medical Help — and Let Us Handle the Legal Fight

You focus on healing. We’ll focus on getting you paid.

Need help finding the right orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist in your area? We’ve worked with great providers across the state. Whether you’re in:

We’re ready to step in and fight for you.

Let’s Talk — Free, Fast, and Confidential

Whether your fracture is healing or still causing you pain, it’s not too late to explore your options. At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, our goal is simple: to help injured riders recover — physically, emotionally, and financially.

We offer free case evaluations, and we’ll give you an honest opinion about your case. If we can help, we’ll get started right away. If we can’t, we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction. No pressure. Just help.

McCarthy Motorcycle Law
Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm
Because “just a broken bone” doesn’t mean “just get over it.”