
Rear-End Motorcycle Collisions
Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents in Wisconsin
Justice for Riders Who Were Hit from Behind
If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you love has been rear-ended while riding a motorcycle in Wisconsin. First off, we’re sorry you’re going through this. Rear-end motorcycle collisions can change a life in seconds—physically, emotionally, and financially. Whether you’re recovering from serious injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one, you deserve answers, support, and justice.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we don’t just say we support riders—we live it. We know the open road calls to something deep in your soul. And we know how devastating it is when that freedom is shattered by a careless driver who didn’t see you, wasn’t paying attention, or didn’t care enough to slow down. That’s why we’re Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm.
Let’s walk through what makes rear-end motorcycle accidents so serious, why they happen, how Wisconsin law treats these crashes, and most importantly—what you can do next to protect yourself and your future.
Why Rear-End Motorcycle Collisions Are So Dangerous
Unlike drivers in a car, motorcyclists don’t have a steel frame, airbags, or seatbelts to protect them. When a motorcyclist is rear-ended—even at what seems like a “low speed”—the results can be catastrophic.
Here’s what often happens in a rear-end motorcycle crash:
The rider is thrown from the bike.
The motorcycle is crushed between vehicles.
The rider is run over after the initial impact.
Even if the crash seems “minor,” the consequences often aren’t. We’ve seen plenty of riders walk away thinking they were okay, only to develop serious back injuries, nerve damage, or post-traumatic stress in the days and weeks that follow.
In some tragic cases, rear-end collisions lead to wrongful death—often because the impact threw the rider into oncoming traffic or caused a traumatic brain injury. If you’ve lost a loved one in this way, we are truly sorry. We want you to know: you are not alone, and you have legal options.
Common Causes of Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents
Most rear-end crashes involving motorcycles come down to one thing: driver negligence. Plain and simple. Some of the most common causes include:
Distracted driving (texting, fiddling with the radio, checking GPS)
Following too closely
Speeding or aggressive driving
Fatigue or drowsiness
Let’s be honest: many drivers don’t pay enough attention to motorcycles. They’re used to scanning for cars and trucks—not bikes. That’s no excuse. And the law in Wisconsin agrees.
Rear-End Collisions and Wisconsin Motorcycle Law
In Wisconsin, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is almost always presumed to be at fault. This is especially true in motorcycle accidents, where the consequences are more severe.
But that doesn’t mean the insurance companies will roll over and do the right thing.
We’ve seen it time and time again: insurers blame the motorcyclist. They say you stopped too fast. You weren’t visible. You “should have been wearing brighter gear.” In wrongful death cases, they sometimes even blame the person who died.
It’s not right. And we don’t let it slide.
Our team knows the ins and outs of Wisconsin motorcycle accident law. We know how to prove the driver was at fault—and we know how to stand up to insurance companies that try to downplay your suffering.
Injuries Common in Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents
Rear-end crashes can lead to some of the most severe injuries a rider can face. We often see:
These aren’t just “accidents.” They’re life-altering events that can derail your job, your relationships, your finances, and your sense of peace. That’s why it’s so important to work with a Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyer who truly understands what’s at stake.
What to Do After a Rear-End Motorcycle Accident in Wisconsin
Here’s what we recommend if you’ve been rear-ended on your motorcycle:
Get medical attention – Even if you feel “okay,” let a doctor check you out. Injuries often surface later.
Report the crash – File a police report and make sure your side of the story is in writing.
Take photos (if you can) – Document the scene, your injuries, your bike, and the vehicle that hit you.
Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company and be careful what you say to your own.
Talk to a motorcycle injury attorney – The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of protecting your rights.
And if you're here because your loved one was killed in a rear-end crash, we are so sorry for your loss. We know that nothing we say can undo what happened. But we can help you fight for accountability, financial compensation, and maybe even a sense of justice.
What You May Be Entitled to After a Rear-End Motorcycle Crash
Wisconsin law allows injured motorcyclists—or their families, in the case of a wrongful death—to recover damages for:
Medical expenses
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of companionship
Funeral and burial costs (in fatal crashes)
Property damage
Every case is different. But one thing stays the same: we fight like hell to get our clients everything they’re entitled to—and then some.
How We Help Riders and Families After Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents
We’re not a big, corporate law firm. We’re real people who care about riders. We don’t hand you off to paralegals or make you jump through hoops. When you call, you talk to us.
We also understand the unique challenges motorcycle riders face when dealing with insurance companies, medical providers, and sometimes even law enforcement.
When you work with us, we:
Investigate the crash thoroughly (including accident reconstruction when needed)
Preserve critical evidence
Fight back against blame-shifting
Handle all communications with the insurance company
Build a strong case for full and fair compensation
Take your case to trial if that’s what it takes
And we do it all with compassion, grit, and experience.
Why Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents Need Experienced Legal Help
Insurance companies don’t see you as a person. They see you as a file and a cost. They’ll use every trick in the book to protect their bottom line—even when you’re the one who was rear-ended.
That’s why you need a lawyer who not only understands motorcycle law, but lives and breathes it. A lawyer who knows how to talk to juries. A lawyer who knows what it’s like to ride—and what it means to have your ride taken away.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, this isn’t just our job. It’s our passion. We represent injured riders and grieving families because we believe motorcyclists deserve respect—and when that respect is violated, we go to war for you.
If You’ve Been Rear-Ended on a Motorcycle, We’re Here for You
You didn’t ask for this. But now you’ve got a choice to make.
You can let the insurance company write the story of what happened. Or you can take control.
We’ll help you write a different ending—one that’s rooted in truth, accountability, and justice. Whether that means negotiating a strong settlement or going all the way to trial, we’re ready.
And remember: you don’t pay us a dime unless we win.
Get a Free Case Review Today
If you or someone you love has been rear-ended while riding a motorcycle in Wisconsin, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free, confidential case review.
We’ll listen. We’ll be real with you. And if we can help, we’ll fight like hell to do it right.