By Law Clerk Jason Findling

“Dooring” is a type of traffic accident where a bicyclist crashes into an open car door while riding on the road or a bicycle path. Opening a car door without checking for bike riders may cause a cyclist to collide with the car door, fall from their bike, and be thrown into traffic. These types of traffic bicycle accidents often cause serious injuries to cyclists and can even result in death to a biker. So, it is crucial that car drivers and passengers pay attention to their surroundings when opening car doors in bike lanes or in any other situation where a bicyclist may be near their vehicle.

Learning to drive in Wisconsin’s winter weather is a skill unto itself. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures all increase the difficulty level of driving and, unfortunately, they also increase the chances of a car accident. 

Anyone getting behind the wheel this winter should familiarize themselves with the following tips in order to keep the roadways safe for everyone:

1. Use the Right Equipment

Winter tires are recommended in temperatures less than 44 degrees. Many people operate under the false notion that all-season tires are able to adequately handle winter driving. However, the rubber compound in all-season tires begins to freeze when temperatures go below 44 degrees. This means that such tires will be less effective at gripping the road. If you do not have winter tires, proceed with caution and the understanding that your car may not be able to handle all winter road conditions.

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. The physical and emotional distress that a person experiences in a collision can make it difficult to keep a clear head in the immediate aftermath. As a result, many people make mistakes that affect their ability to recover compensation for the damages they have suffered. If you are involved in an auto accident, be sure to avoid the following:

1. Admitting fault - Common courtesy often leads people to take at least partial blame for a collision. However, doing so can make it more difficult to establish liability for the accident and recover compensation for your injuries. When discussing the crash with other drivers, police officers, or insurance company representatives, state the facts about what happened without admitting any fault.
2. Not receiving timely medical care - After an accident, it can be easy to shrug off your possible injuries, especially if they seem minor. However, it is important to receive medical attention as soon as possible. This will establish medical records documenting the full extent of your injuries, ensuring that you are able to recover compensation that will address your immediate care as well as any health complications related to the accident that may arise in the future.
3. Failing to file a police report - It may seem like a good idea to avoid involving law enforcement after a collision, but it is ultimately best to report the accident to police. Doing so will establish a record of the accident and ensure that it is not just your word against the other driver’s.
4. Not gathering evidence - If possible, you should get as much information as you can about the accident to demonstrate its causes and who was at fault. Take pictures of the scene, speak to witnesses and get their contact information, and try to find out if the collision was captured on any nearby security cameras. This evidence can be crucial in establishing liability for the crash.
5. Providing information to the insurance company - Following an accident, you may be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company and asked to give a recorded statement. It is best to decline to do so and have your attorney communicate with insurance companies for you.
6. Agreeing to a settlement without legal help - An insurance company may offer you a financial settlement that appears to cover some or all of your damages, and accepting this settlement will allow you to receive compensation quickly. However, it is likely that this type of settlement will not fully address your damages. Before accepting a settlement, be sure to have an attorney review your case.

Contact a Milwaukee Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a car crash, the skilled attorneys of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP can help you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. We will work to ensure that you are compensated for the costs of medical care, ongoing rehabilitation, property damage, lost income from missed work or disability, and pain and suffering. Contact our Milwaukee, WI personal injury attorneys at 414-271-1440 to arrange a consultation.

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Modern technology has brought many conveniences to our lives, including the ability to find transportation through ride-sharing apps like Uber. These services make it easy to be picked up and dropped off wherever a person needs to go. Moreover, they allow drivers to supplement their income through the use of their personal vehicle. However, the increasing number of Uber drivers on the road means that car accidents involving these drivers are likely to occur. People who have been involved in a collision with an Uber driver should understand their options for receiving financial compensation.

Uber Insurance Policies

Uber drivers are covered by the company’s liability insurance policies, although coverage varies depending on whether a driver is waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up a rider, or transporting a rider in their vehicle.

The roads of the United States are filled with 18-wheelers and tractor-trailer trucks, and these vehicles provide an essential service for moving cargo throughout the country. However, the large size and massive weight of these trucks makes them incredibly dangerous to other vehicles.

Since drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles are at risk of serious injuries in truck accidents, commercial truck drivers must meet a number of requirements to ensure they are safely operating their vehicles. Unfortunately, failure to follow these requirements can result in truck driver fatigue, which can lead to deadly accidents.

Drowsy Driving Truck Accident Statistics