Motor vehicle collisions can be incredibly traumatic, resulting in serious, life-changing injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injury, or paralysis. However, even if someone does not suffer major trauma, a car accident can cause long-lasting harm that is not immediately evident.

Soft tissue injuries can occur in minor collisions. Therefore, if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of these types of injuries and seek treatment. Being armed with this information will help ensure that you are able to pursue compensation from the party or parties responsible for your damages.

What Are Soft Tissue Injuries? 

Any car accident can be a frightening experience, but pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous — people on foot are likely to suffer serious injuries even in a low-speed collision. A hit-and-run accident in which a driver does not stop his or her car or remain at the scene of the collision after striking a pedestrian can be especially devastating. Victims are often unsure of their options for pursuing compensation for their injuries.

Protecting Your Rights to Compensation

Under Wisconsin law, drivers who strike another vehicle or a pedestrian with their car are required to stop, investigate the accident, exchange information with others involved in the accident, and provide aid and assistance to anyone who was injured. Failure to do so is a crime and can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the extent of the damages.

By: Kenneth John Anthony Baker

In August, the Wisconsin Assembly proposed new legislation that will expand on current texting while driving laws. Under current law, it is illegal for a person to engage in certain activities while driving a motor vehicle. One of the activities prohibited by the inattentive driving statute is driving any motor vehicle “while composing or sending an electronic text message. This prohibition on texting and emailing while driving does not apply to operators of emergency vehicles and hands-free devices. The authors of the bill list three main reasons the bill is necessary:

1. Data distracted driving is a serious problem;
2. Wisconsin law needs an update to keep pace with smart phone technology; and
3. Wisconsin’s penalties are now out of step with neighboring states.

The Assembly Bill expands on the activities that are prohibited while driving. The bill changes the current prohibition on texting or emailing while driving to provide that no person may “physically manipulate an interactive electronic device to enter, transmit, or access data while driving.” The bill’s intention is to prohibit more than just texting and emailing. It is also intended to expand the devices that are prohibited. The new law would prohibit anyone from physically using any electronic device.

The winter season is upon us — temperatures are dropping, cold winds are blowing, and snow and ice are likely to build up on every outdoor surface. As you prepare for cold weather by wearing warm clothing, making sure your house is insulated, and keeping winter supplies on hand, also be aware of the increased danger of slip and fall injuries caused by slippery walking surfaces.

Common Winter Injuries

Snow and ice on roads, sidewalks, and driveways present a major hazard, and melting snow and ice can also lead to wet, slick floors, creating additional dangers nearly everywhere people will be walking in the winter. These conditions can lead to a wide variety of injuries, including:

As the winter season begins in earnest, many of us are preparing for snow, ice, and cold weather. Along with having warmer clothing ready and making sure that our homes’ heating systems are in working order, it is also important to be aware of the increased danger of car accidents that drivers face when driving in winter conditions.

Top Causes of Winter Car Accidents

Every year, more than 1,300 people die and more than 116,000 people are injured in car crashes that occur on roads that are snowy, icy, or slushy. These conditions can make roads especially dangerous, and accidents often occur because of: