Motorcycle riders face serious dangers as a result of sharing the road with cars, trucks, and other vehicles. A motorcycle crash can cause a wide range of severe injuries, and in many situations, it is the negligence of drivers in other vehicles that causes injuries to riders. However, whether or not the rider was wearing a helmet is often a point of contention in motorcycle accident cases. In cases such as these, it is important for motorcycle crash victims to work closely with an experienced personal injury who will work hard to hold the negligent driver fully accountable for the injuries he or she caused.

Helmet Laws in Wisconsin

In the state of Wisconsin, all motorcycle riders and passengers are strongly encouraged to wear helmets and other protective gear while riding. Fully-licensed riders who are 18 years old or older are not required by law to wear a helmet on Wisconsin roadways. A rider who is under age 18 must wear a helmet. A helmet is also required for any person riding with a motorcycle instruction permit. All riders, regardless of helmet use, are required to wear eye protection unless the motorcycle’s windshield meets the height requirement set by Wisconsin law.

Determining Liability for a Crash Where the Rider Was Helmetless

While there may be exceptions, a rider’s choice to forgo a helmet generally does not factor into determining which party was at-fault for causing a motorcycle crash. In fact, it is explicitly stated in Wisconsin law that evidence pertaining to whether a rider was wearing a helmet or not is not to be considered in a personal injury action. A driver who acted in a negligent manner, such as by running a red light or texting while driving, cannot argue that the crash would have been avoided if the rider had a helmet on.

The summer months are a time when many people enjoy themselves outdoors and participate in a variety of activities. People in Wisconsin have many opportunities for fun activities, including hiking, rock climbing, boating, and swimming in lakes, rivers, and public or private pools. While most people take care to protect the safety of themselves and others while participating in activities, accidents and injuries can still occur. Victims who are injured in these situations will want to determine their options for filing a personal injury claim and pursuing compensation that will address the damages they have suffered.

Liability for Recreational Activity Injuries in Wisconsin

People who are injured while participating in recreational activities may have multiple options for pursuing compensation. If an injury took place while visiting someone else’s property, such as when swimming at a pool at someone’s home or when using facilities at a business, a victim may be able to pursue a premises liability claim. If an injury was caused by defective equipment, such as faulty rock climbing gear, a victim may be able to pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

It is important to understand how Wisconsin law addresses liability for injuries that took place while a person was participating in recreational activities. The state’s statutes detail multiple types of recreational activities in which participants must be aware of certain risks, including:

For most parents, the possibility of their children suffering harm is one of the worst things to contemplate. Parents do everything they can to keep their children safe, but it is impossible to watch them every second of every day. When parents leave their children in someone else’s care, they expect those people to provide the same level of protection while also meeting the children’s needs. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and children can sometimes suffer serious injuries at daycare due to the negligence of staff members. In these situations, parents will need to determine how they can hold a daycare center responsible for the harm suffered by their children and their families.

Causes of Injuries to Children at Daycare Centers

Daycare is often necessary during the day to ensure that children will be cared for while parents are working. Unfortunately, there are a number of issues that may put children at risk while they are at daycare, including:

• Dangerous toys or playgrounds - Many toys contain small parts that may be choking hazards for younger children, or they can sometimes have sharp edges or other problems that present a risk of injury. Children may be injured if age-appropriate toys are not provided or if staff members allow children to use toys that are damaged or otherwise unsafe. Children may also suffer injuries due to defective playground equipment at a daycare.

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By: Paralegal Ruth Campos

While motor vehicle collisions of all types can be serious, motorcycle accidents are especially likely to result in severe injuries. Motorcyclists have little in the way of protection, and they can suffer severe bodily harm if they are struck by a car or truck, thrown from their motorcycle, or make contact with the ground or other obstacles. Most motorcyclists recognize this danger, and they make every effort to protect themselves, including by wearing the proper protective gear, obeying traffic laws, and being vigilant for unexpected movements made by other vehicles. 

Unfortunately, it is impossible to prepare for every eventuality, and there are many situations where drivers act negligently, fail to share the road safely with motorcycles, and cause serious accidents. Motorcyclists who have been injured because of these actions may be able to take legal action and pursue compensation from negligent drivers who caused them any harm or injuries.

After a long, cold winter, many Wisconsin residents who enjoy riding bicycles are happy to be able to hit the road as the weather warms up during the spring and summer. Riding a bike on the open road can be an exhilarating experience, and it can provide great exercise while serving as an efficient method of transportation. Unfortunately, it can also be dangerous. While bicyclists take many measures to stay safe, including by wearing helmets and other safety equipment, making sure their bikes are well-maintained, and following the rules of the road, they may be placed at risk of serious harm through no fault of their own. When sharing the roads with motor vehicles, bicyclists can be seriously affected by the negligent or aggressive actions of drivers, and these actions may lead to severe or fatal bicycle accidents. 

Violations That May Lead to Bike Accidents

To protect the safety of bicyclists and ensure that everyone can share the road, the state of Wisconsin has implemented a number of laws that drivers of motor vehicles are required to follow. These include:

• Sharing the road - Bicycles are considered to be vehicles, and they have the right to travel in a lane of traffic along with cars, trucks, or motorcycles. Drivers must follow the same rules when a bicycle is in their lane as they would for other vehicles. This means that a driver should not follow too closely behind a bicycle, since if a bicyclist would need to slow down suddenly for a red light, a stop sign, or a person or vehicle that is crossing the road, the driver will need enough room to come to a complete stop and avoid striking the bicycle from behind. 

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