April 4, 2013 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

How to Avoid a Car Accident in Milwaukee

Do you know where you are at high risk for a crash in Milwaukee?

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Insurance Claims on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Ever wonder where you are most at risk for a car crash in Milwaukee County? According to an analysis conducted by the Journal Sentinel, the most crashes tend to occur when a driver is coming or leaving local malls. The intersections surrounding Mayfair, Bayshore and Southridge malls rank as the top three crash risk zones during the years 2007-2011.

More signage and traffic signals have been implemented at the intersections surrounding these malls to decrease the crash risk. While these traffic safety efforts have helped, the high volume of cars constantly flowing in and out of the malls means that an elevated crash rate is almost inevitable. So does this mean that everyone living in Milwaukee County should boycott the malls?

Certainly not, most of these crashes occur at low speeds. Therefore these accidents are rarely considered anything more than minor. In fact, at all of the crash-prone intersections surrounding the malls, there was not a single fatality in the years that were examined.

However, any car accident can be a real headache to deal with. Similarly, even if a car accident at a low speed does not result in catastrophic injuries, it can still result in whiplash, or other disruptive neck or back injuries. Insurance companies will often try to minimize these claims, at times even accusing a victim of making the pain up. Such behavior is entirely unfair.

If an individual is the victim of a car accident in Milwaukee County that was not catastrophic but still resulted in injuries, that victim would still do well to speak to an experienced legal attorney that will be able to challenge insurance companies looking to minimize a victim’s legitimate claim.

Source: Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, “Intersection near malls, Hwy. 100 top Milwaukee county crash sites,” Lydia Mulvany, March 30, 2013

Our firm has experience handling car accident cases of a similar nature. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

October 10, 2012 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer Applauds Milwaukee County

Milwaukee County combats wrong-way driving

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, October 10, 2012.

Wrong-way drivers are wreaking havoc in Milwaukee County. Unfortunately, there are several entrance and exit ramps that are close together in the vicinity of our local highway system. Consequently, there are many instances of drivers driving the wrong way on the highway, particularly at night.

This issue has been a significant source car accidents resulting in injury, death and property damage in Milwaukee County this year. To date, 2012 has seen 29 incidents of wrong-way drivers that sheriff deputies responded to, including one wrong-way driver that killed herself and two others upon impact. In 2010, 31 people were killed in Wisconsin by a driver on the wrong side of the road.

To directly address this problem, Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputies announced plans yesterday to install pole-mounted radar detectors that will go off to alert authorities to the presence of a wrong-way driver. In conjunction with the state Department of Transportation, Milwaukee County will install these radar detectors at nine high-incident ramps. Additionally, solar powered “wrong way” signs will also be installed. This is set to be in effect by Thanksgiving of this year.

According to one Milwaukee County Sheriff deputy, “There is no greater danger to motorist than an oncoming car traveling at high speeds.” These detectors will alert authorities via text message to the presence of a wrong-way driver while continued tracking of the driver through the DOT camera system will also be triggered. If installation at these nine ramps proves beneficial, there could be wider spread use of these radar devices.

Source: Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, “Milwaukee County launches effort to halt wrong-way drivers on freeways,” Meg Jones, Oct. 9, 2012

Suffering from injuries sustained in an automobile accident? Contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. for your free consultation.

October 5, 2012 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Milwaukee Bus Accident Injures Multiple Passengers

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Car Accidents on Friday, October 5, 2012.

The aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can be confusing for injury victims. It is not uncommon for a victim to feel unsure of where they go for answers and how they can recoup for their medical bills. This confusion can be compounded when a victim was injured while being transported by a professional driver or city transportation. However, falling victim under such circumstances does not lessen the victim’s rights.

Recently, a Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, crash between a Milwaukee County Transit System bus and a passenger vehicle resulted in the injury of seven victims. The bus crash occurred yesterday shortly before the noon hour at the intersection of North 72nd street and West Wisconsin Avenue.

According to a local report, a representative from Milwaukee County Transit System says she was told that the passenger vehicle ran a stop sign and then crashed into the bus. However, it is likely that officials will conduct an investigation to confirm what exactly caused the accident that necessitated five of the seven victims needing to be transported to an area hospital.

No word was issued in a local report regarding whether or not either party was cited in this accident. Thankfully, it does not appear that any of these victims were critically injured. However, any medical attention will result in expense, even for minor injuries. Injury victims can in some instances recoup for these costs. In instances where a bus passenger is injured in a crash, there are statutory notices that are required to be filed within a few months following the crash and subsequent injuries.

Source: WTMJ News, “Seven people injured in Milwaukee County bus crash in Wauwatosa,” Oct. 4, 2012

Suffering from injuries sustained in an automobile accident? Contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. for your free consultation.

September 25, 2012 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Driver on Narcotics Injures Milwaukee Motorcyclist

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Tuesday, September 25, 2012.

A Milwaukee motorcyclist was seriously injured recently when a 33-year-old Oak Creek man reportedly driving while under the influence of narcotics, slammed into the motorcyclist, causing a chain reaction in a multi-vehicle pileup.

The extent of the motorcyclist’s injuries includes four fractures to his leg, two broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Reportedly, the victim had to be airlifted and has since undergone four surgeries, with two more in the works.

Reportedly, responding officers discovered narcotics in the offending driver’s vehicle. Tucked away in a cigarette pack, officers discovered a syringe and Morphine sulfate pills. On his person, officers found three packs of Suboxone films.

The offending driver must now face charges in a Milwaukee County Circuit Court of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and second-offense operating while intoxicated-causing injury. If convicted, the 33-year-old Oak Creek man faces fines of up to $35,000 and over 18 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the victim in this accident is left to deal with his extensive injuries. Such injuries incur serious expenses as so many surgeries are very costly. This, on top of the prolonged hospital stay in conjunction with missed time from work, and the victim is looking at a serious medical bill.

However, this accident was clearly not his fault. The man can seek compensation to cover not only his resulting medical bills, but he can also seek compensation for the suffering he was force to endure as a result of the motorcycle accident and the intoxicated driver’s negligence.

Source: Oak Creek Patch, “Oak Creek Man Charged in Drugged-Driving Crash,” Joe Petrie, Sept. 23, 2012

Our firm handles similar cases of personal injury. To learn more, please visit our Milwaukee motorcycle accident page. If you need legal representation for a motorcycle accident, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. for a free consultation.

September 30, 2011 by Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.

Settlement Likely in Milwaukee County Wrongful Death Suit

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Wrongful Death on Friday, September 30, 2011.

Milwaukee County lawyers are reportedly seeking to settle a nearly 5-year-old lawsuit involving the alleged wrongful death of a 33-year-old woman under the care of the county-run Mental Health Complex.

After an eight-day stretch on life support in 2006, the woman died of various medical issues including starvation, immobility and dehydration, according to the medical examiner’s report. Milwaukee County lawyers have recommended a settlement of $125,000, an offer that the victim’s family will likely accept. Of the $125,000, $41,666 would be paid to the family’s attorney, while $28,000 will be delegated to paying for the victim’s remaining medical bills.

Following the filing of the lawsuit, state investigators launched a probe into the medical facility, and cited deficiencies in the facility’s training procedures, nutritional provisions, and policies. In addition, the probe resulted in the removal of another patient from the facility, who investigators worried was in danger of dying and not receiving proper care. Following this removal, investigators also determined patients of the facility to be “in immediate jeopardy,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The woman, whose cause of death also included a pulmonary embolism, was apparently extremely malnourished after she stopped eating and drinking. Staff at the facility apparently noted her extremely low energy and that she was beginning to urinate on herself and refuse food.

The psychiatrist charged with the victim’s care also resigned last year rather than face a disciplinary hearing. This same psychiatrist had also lost his license for a two-year period in the 1980s after confessing to having sexual intercourse with his patients.

Milwaukee County Wrongful Death Suit Cost to Taxpayers

In addition to the proposed $125,000 lawsuit settlement, Milwaukee County taxpayers have, thus far, paid $331,000 to cover the cost of a defense lawyer hired to defend the county.

The woman’s mother is not happy with the settlement, but said she would accept it anyway. She tells the Journal Sentinel that she is “very disappointed” with the outcome, particularly because the psychiatrist got to keep his pension and his medical license.

If you have suffered an injury in an accident, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. to see if you are entitled to compensation.