August 31, 2014 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Good News from Wisconsin Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Involved in a bike accident? Our attorneys may be able to help

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Bicycle Accidents on Sunday, August 31, 2014.

Filing a personal injury in a bike accident case can be a time-sensitive matter, which is why we recommend acting quickly to hold the responsible party accountable in civil court. No matter the nature of your injuries, you deserve financial compensation to pay for medical expenses and get you back on your feet — and hopefully back on your bicycle.

Let’s face it: Many drivers fail to pay attention to bicycle riders, even if they are following the law and using designated bike lanes. A motor vehicle accident involving a bicycle can lead to a variety of serious accidents, including traumatic brain injuries — even for those wearing a helmet. Other physical ailments can include lacerations, fractures, spinal cord damage and road rash. More serious conditions resulting from bicycle accidents include potential amputation or paraplegia and paralysis.

Bicycle riders should know that they may be entitled to compensation if they were struck by a distracted driver, a drunk driver or just a negligent driver. Financial compensation may be available for lost wages, pain and suffering and emotional trauma, along with current and prior medical expenses. If you require long-term medical care because of a bike accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve financial remuneration.

Recovering financial damages after a bicycle accident is not as simple as filing paperwork and hoping for the best outcome. Instead, it requires a legal team with experience and knowledge about the applicable law and the methods used to estimate injury cost. Bicycle accident victims deserve a fair settlement or judgment to help them regain their health and move on with their lives. We have more information available about bicycle accidents on our webpage.

Source: Domnitz & Skemp SC, “Bicycle Accidents” Aug. 26, 2014

Do you need legal assistance from a Milwaukee personal injury attorney? Contact Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. today for a free initial consultation.

July 21, 2014 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

News for Milwaukee Bicyclists

Proposal for new trails may lead to more bicycle accidents

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Bicycle Accidents on Monday, July 21, 2014.

Wisconsin has an announced new plans to increase the number of bicycle routes and paths throughout the state. Beginning in November, the Department of Transportation will be teaming up with the Department of Natural Resources and a bicycle advocacy group known as the Wisconsin Bike Fed to roll out a new comprehensive bicycle plan.

The group hopes to design and create a new series of bicycle routes and other cycling core doors between urban areas and the pre-existing bicycle paths. The overall concept is to increase the number of bike friendly routes throughout the state. A spokesperson for Wisconsin bike Fed says that the state already has the third largest number of off-road trails in the nation. He credits Wisconsin’s dairy industry and the states early push towards building infrastructure as providing a good base of paved roadways which can serve as links to bicycle paths.

The work is expected to last a full year and is part of a statewide effort similar to the work already done in the Fox cities. There, the counties of Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca and Shawano have all been connected through bicycle routes. A planner with the Oshkosh community development department points to one bicycle corridor in particular, the Wiouwash, as threading through four different counties and benefiting each economically with their well-used and very popular trails.

In addition to the obvious health benefits of riding bicycles, there are also plenty of economic benefits. For example, bike companies such as Trek and Schwinn have manufacturing interests throughout Wisconsin. An increase in bike trails will undoubtedly result in the sale of more bicycles. Not to mention the ancillary tourism business generated by the outdoor activity.

This news for Milwaukee bicyclists is compliments of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. Now that summer is in full swing, more and more people are taking to the streets on their bicycles. Unfortunately, that influx of bicycle traffic often means that there will also be an uptick in bicycle accidents involving automobiles. Bicyclists injured by vehicle should take care not to foreclose on their right to fair compensation for their injuries. Sometimes a victim won’t feel any adverse effects in the immediate aftermath of the accident. It’s not uncommon for complications from injuries to develop much later. Agreeing to terms of settlement with an insurance company without the aid of counsel could jeopardize any future attempt to offset subsequent medical costs.

Source: Postcresent.com, “State determined to create Wisconsin biking network” Keith Uhlig, Jul. 13, 2014

Do you need legal advice from a Milwaukee personal injury attorney following a bike accident? Contact Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. today for a free consultation.

April 19, 2014 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Wisconsin Woman Gets Five Years in Bicycle Fatality

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Bicycle Accidents on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

A 28-year-old Cadott woman was recently sentenced to five years in prison and five of extended supervision once released. She was found guilty of the 2013 death of a Stanley dentist who was killed while riding his bicycle when the woman plowed into him at the intersection of 100th Avenue and County G.

The judge refused to refer to the deadly incident as an accident, insisting that it be called a homicide, as the woman was drunk at the time of the 5:24 a.m. impact after a night of celebrating at a local bar.

The hit and run was the third conviction for the woman, who previously had two convictions for OWI in 2006 and four juvenile alcohol related convictions as well. In 2007, she received treatment for alcoholism. While sentencing her, the judge read a statement back to her that she had made when previously up on the OWI charges: “I know that I can’t nor do I want to drink again.”

After crashing into the dentist, she did not attempt to render aid to him. She instead called a friend to take her back to the local tavern where she continued drinking. She did not call authorities for approximately six more hours.

Nine hours after the fatal crash, the woman’s blood alcohol level was 0.123. While she resumed drinking at the tavern, the man’s crumpled body lay in a ditch, his mangled bicycle intertwined in a barbed wire fence.

People who drink and drive and maim and kill others deserve to be held accountable on both the civil and criminal levels. Even without a lengthy prison sentence handed down to the offender, a civil judgment can be obtained that can force the individual and his insurance company to settle. A settlement can help ameliorate the pain and suffering they have caused. If you need legal representation following an accident with a drunk driver, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Source: The Chippewa Herald, “Holler gets five years prison for fatal crash” Rod Stetzer, Apr. 10, 2014

February 28, 2014 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Milwaukee Bus Accident Victims FAQ

Can you sue after a school bus accident?

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Commercial Vehicle Accidents on Friday, February 28, 2014.

During the school year, drivers are likely to see school buses at some point or another on the road. Driving by a school bus may seem challenging at times, never knowing when the bus will slow down to make a stop. While most of us are taught to drive cautiously near school buses and are required to stay further back when the school bus stop sign is out, do you know what to do if you are involved in an accident with a school bus?

Being involved in a school bus accident can be very scary. In addition to the possibility of being injured due to the size of the school bus, the fate of the children on the school bus also comes into question after an accident.

Drivers in Wisconsin who are involved in an accident with school bus may be able to pursue legal action. In addition to the driver filing a lawsuit, families of the children on the school bus may also be able to take legal action. Your legal options after getting into an accident can be difficult to understand, but it is important for victims to answer a few questions before taking any legal action.

First, who or what caused the accident? In most cases, victims have to show that the bus driver was responsible for the accident due to dangerous or careless driving. This can be proven in several different ways, but the most successful cases are when a bus driver is seen using a cellphone, violating traffic laws and making some other kind of dangerous driving behavior.

Second, can the school also be named in the lawsuit? If the bus driver was working for the school at the time of the accident, the school could also be held accountable for the crash.

Third, what is the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in Wisconsin? It is important to be aware of state laws that can impact your personal injury lawsuit, especially if the accident happened a while ago.

Source: FindLaw, “School Bus Crashes: 3 Questions Before You Sue,” Aditi Mukherji, Feb. 24, 2014

If you need legal representation after being in an accident with a school bus, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.