Third Person Killed in Wisconsin Motorcycle Accident Involving Animals
None of the motorcyclists were wearing helmets
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, June 16, 2011.
A string of accidents in Wisconsin in less than a week is leaving motorcyclists uneasy. The crashes are serving as reminders to wear a helmet and to keep watch for wild animals.
The first motorcycle accident occurred on Saturday. A 67-year-old man from Eagle River reportedly hit a turkey and crashed. He died from his injuries.
On Monday, a 51-year-old motorcyclist from Black River Falls hit a wolf. His motorcycle apparently skidded, and he was thrown from the bike. He died too, as did the wolf.
That afternoon, a man from Osceola was riding his 2004 Harley Davidson east on Polk St. Croix Road about a mile east of Wisconsin 35 near Somerset. According to the St. Croix County sheriff’s office, the man was thrown from his bike after hitting a deer. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the sheriff’s office is apparently still investigating.
None of these motorcyclists was wearing a helmet at the time they crashed, according to reports. While hitting an animal like a wolf might be uncommon, motorcyclists should prepare themselves for any animals that may get in the way. The variety of animals involved in these accidents demonstrates how many different critters might serve as roadblocks.
A motorcycle safety instructor at Harley Davidson in Wausau tells WAOW TV that riders should be sure they can see a far distance ahead of them, particularly in the dark. He also advises riders never to swerve and put on their brakes at the same time.
Sources:
• GrandForksHearld.com, “Wisconsin man dies after Harley hits deer,” Andy Rathbun, 15 June 2011
• www.waow.com, “Second person dies in motorcycle accident involving animal,” Daniel Woodruff, 14 June 2011
If you or your family needs legal representation following an accident, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C.