Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents
Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents in Wisconsin: What Riders and Families Need to Know
When you ride a motorcycle, you’re constantly watching for danger. You ride defensively. You wear your gear. You stay alert. But all the caution in the world can’t always protect you from one of the most common and deadly threats on the road: a car making a left turn in front of you.
Left-turn motorcycle accidents are among the most devastating types of crashes motorcyclists face. And they’re far too common in Wisconsin and across the country. Whether you were injured in a left-turn crash or lost someone you love, we want you to know this: you’re not alone. And we’re here to help.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we take pride in being Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm. We’re riders and former riders ourselves. We understand the risks. We’ve seen the pain these crashes cause. And we’ve made it our mission to stand up for motorcyclists and families after serious wrecks — especially the kinds caused by inattentive or negligent drivers who fail to yield during left turns.
Why Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents Happen So Often
Most left-turn motorcycle crashes happen at intersections. A car or truck driver is sitting at a green light or trying to beat oncoming traffic. They don’t see the motorcycle — or they misjudge your speed — and they turn directly in front of you.
Sound familiar?
It’s the most common scenario in motorcycle vs. car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 42% of all fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involve a vehicle making a left-hand turn while the motorcycle is going straight, passing, or overtaking another vehicle.
So why does this keep happening?
Driver distraction: Cell phones. GPS. In-car entertainment systems. There’s no shortage of ways drivers take their eyes off the road.
Failure to yield: Some drivers just don’t understand or respect a motorcyclist’s right of way.
“Didn’t see the motorcycle” excuse: The truth is, drivers aren’t always trained to look for bikes. They look for cars and trucks. We call this a “failure to detect.”
Speed misjudgment: Motorcycles appear smaller and may look like they’re farther away or moving slower than they actually are.
But make no mistake — these aren’t just “accidents.” They’re the result of poor decisions, inattention, and negligence. And that means you may have the right to hold the driver accountable.
What Happens in a Left-Turn Collision?
When a car turns in front of a motorcycle, the rider often has no time to stop. The impact can be direct, or the motorcyclist may try to swerve and still crash. Either way, the results are almost always catastrophic — for the rider.
We’ve seen injuries like:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Broken bones, especially in the legs and arms
Road rash and disfigurement
These aren’t just bumps and bruises. These are life-changing injuries — or worse. We’ve helped families who’ve lost loved ones because a driver couldn’t be bothered to look twice.
Who’s At Fault in a Left-Turn Motorcycle Crash in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, drivers making a left turn are generally required to yield to oncoming traffic — including motorcycles. That means the turning driver is usually at fault when a crash happens.
But here’s the catch: the driver’s insurance company may try to blame you.
They might say you were speeding. Or that you “came out of nowhere.” Or that you weren’t visible. Or that you should have done more to avoid the crash.
We’ve heard it all. And we don’t buy it.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we know how to investigate left-turn motorcycle collisions. We’ll pull traffic camera footage, get witness statements, inspect the vehicles, consult with accident reconstruction experts, and gather all the evidence needed to prove fault and fight back against insurance company tactics.
What Should You Do After a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident?
If you or someone you love has been hurt (or worse) in a crash caused by a left-turning driver, here are some important steps:
Get medical care right away – Even if you feel okay. Some injuries don’t show up immediately.
Document everything – Photos of the scene, your injuries, witness names, and any damage can all help.
Don’t talk to the insurance company – Their goal is to limit what they pay. Not to help you.
Contact a motorcycle accident attorney – Preferably one who actually understands motorcycles and takes these cases seriously.
If You’ve Lost a Loved One in a Left-Turn Motorcycle Crash
There’s nothing harder than losing someone you love in a preventable crash. Especially when that person was doing everything right — riding safely, staying alert, wearing a helmet — and they were still killed because of someone else’s mistake.
If you’re here because you lost your spouse, child, or parent in a motorcycle accident caused by a left-turning driver, we are so sorry. We’ve sat across the table from grieving families. We’ve heard the stories. We’ve helped parents plan memorials while we prepared wrongful death lawsuits. And we’ve gone to trial when insurance companies refused to take responsibility.
Under Wisconsin’s wrongful death laws, you may be entitled to:
Funeral and burial costs
Medical expenses before death
Loss of companionship and emotional support
Lost income and benefits the person would have provided
Pain and suffering
We can’t bring your loved one back. But we can fight like hell to make sure the person responsible is held accountable — and help give your family the resources you need to move forward.
Why You Need a Wisconsin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Not all personal injury lawyers understand motorcycle cases. And not all of them care.
You need a law firm that:
✅ Knows how motorcycles work
✅ Knows how riders think
✅ Has experience taking on insurance companies
✅ Will fight like hell to get you justice
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we live and breathe motorcycle law. We’ve helped recover millions of dollars for riders and their families. We’ve gone up against major insurance carriers and won. And we don’t pass you off to some junior associate — you work directly with us.
We also work with Clay Griessmeyer, a badass trial lawyer who’s won record-setting jury verdicts for riders in Wisconsin. Together, we bring serious firepower to every case.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
We handle motorcycle crash cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay us anything upfront — and if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
It also means you can focus on what matters: healing. We’ll take care of the rest.
Let’s Talk — Free, Confidential Case Review
If you’ve been hurt in a left-turn motorcycle accident, or if you’ve lost someone you love because a driver didn’t yield, let’s talk. Get your free, confidential, case evaluation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and be honest with you about what we can do to help.
You deserve answers. You deserve justice. You deserve a law firm that rides with you.