Oshkosh Personal Injury And Criminal Defense Blog

When you know danger, avoid it - that includes distracted driving

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, August 15, 2019.

By now, most of our readers in Wisconsin know how dangerous distracted driving can be. In fact, this national plague on our roads has seemingly only been getting worse. A recent news article noted that, since 2000, an estimated 624,000 people have died in fatal traffic accidents in America. Many of these deaths were caused by distracted driving.

As we all know, the primary distraction for drivers is the ever-present smartphone. These days, cellphones are essentially mini computers that are capable of doing much more than just placing and receiving calls. Drivers are distracted by the ability to text, send emails and even look at the Internet while driving. Distracted drivers may miss important road signs, speed or swerve in their lanes. Any number of issues can occur when drivers take their eyes off of the road and attention away from the task of driving, even for a few seconds.

Failure to yield a part of deadly motorcycle crash?

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in motorcycle accident on Friday, August 2, 2019.

When it comes to motorcycle accidents, one of the most common reasons that they occur is because drivers in larger vehicles, such as passenger vehicles, fail to yield to the smaller vehicle. This may have been the scenario in a recent motorcycle accident in Wisconsin, which occurred on July 21 in Ozaukee County.

According to the reports, the collision between a motorcycle and Ford Fusion occurred around 5:30pm on that date. It appears that the motorcycle, which had a rider and a passenger, was traveling east on a state highway when it collided with the Ford Fusion, which was being driven in a southbound direction on an intersecting state highway. As many collisions happen, the two vehicles collided at the intersection.

Consider all your options after a truck accident

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in trucking accidents on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Semi-trucks are a common sight in Oshkosh and all over Wisconsin. However, driving near a semi-truck can be a white-knuckle experience for some. This is because, no matter how carefully one drives, a distracted, drowsy, inexperienced or intoxicated trucker could slam into their vehicle. And, given the sheer size disparity between a semi-truck and a standard automobile, an accident between the two could cause substantial damage, injuries or even fatalities.

When a person is in a trucking accident, they may be offered an insurance settlement. But, these settlements often are not enough to fully compensate the truck accident victim for all the harms they suffered. Moreover, these settlements may not be enough for victims to feel like the responsible parties were sufficiently held accountable and justice has been done. Sometimes, to obtain enough compensation and obtain a sense of closure, it makes sense to file a lawsuit following a trucking accident.

Blunt force trauma and other issues cause these injuries

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

You never know how safe (or not) Wisconsin highways will be when you get behind the wheel to travel by motor vehicle. Like all motorists, you hope and reasonably expect that you'll safely reach your destination if you adhere to all traffic and safety regulations and practice caution when you drive. The problem is that you have no idea who you might be sharing the road with at any given moment.

There could be a drunk driver on the road with you, or someone might be texting or otherwise distracted. Another person might have worked a double shift and tried to drive home instead of getting some sleep first or asking someone else for a ride. All these issues and more place you at risk for collision and potential severe to life-threatening injuries. This is why it's so important to know where to seek support before you head out on the road.

Distracted driving is a major cause of car accidents year-round

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in car accidents on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Wisconsinites may see an increase in traffic this Fourth of July weekend, and in fact, this is a time of year when more people are traveling to go to parties or festivals to celebrate our nation's independence. Unfortunately, when more people are on the road, the greater the chance is that car accidents will occur. Many of these car crashes will be caused by distracted drivers.

Distracted driving is a serious issue any time of the year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each day around nine people across the nation lose their life and over 1,000 suffer injuries in collisions involving a distracted driver. In 2016 alone, almost 3,500 individuals died in distracted driving collisions. In addition, in 2015, around 391,000 individuals suffered injuries in car accidents involving a distracted driver.

What are some common causes of motorcycle crashes?

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in motorcycle accident on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Motorcycling is a favorite mode of travel for many in Wisconsin, the state that is home to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. However, motorcycling presents risks that traveling in a standard automobile does not. Specifically, motorcyclists are basically left out in the open. There are no seat belts, no air bags and no crumple zones to protect them in the event of a collision. Moreover, the sheer size disparity between a motorcycle and standard automobile generally means the motorcyclist will be on the losing end of the crash. Therefore, it is important to understand what some common causes of motorcycle accidents are.

Sometimes, a motorist simply fails to notice a motorcyclist before crashing into it. This is especially true at intersections. FindLaw reports that 70 percent of motorcycle crashes take place in intersections. Motorists may make an illegal left-hand turn in front of a motorcyclist, fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes or may fail to yield to the motorcyclist's right of way. Any of these situations could lead to a motorcycle accident.

Summer may mean more fatal accidents involving teens, study says

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

Obtaining a driver's license is a right of passage for many teenagers in Oshkosh. However, a teen's inexperience behind the wheel could lead to a car crash that injures or even kills other individuals. Teens also might not appreciate the dangers that speeding, distracted driving or drunk driving present. In fact, a AAA study has reviewed that teens have a higher rate of potentially deadly crashes in the summertime.

Some people refer to the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the "100 deadliest days," because this period sees an increased amount of deadly crashes involving teenage motorists. According to a AAA study, speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving were the top three factors in fatal collisions involving teenage drivers during this time.

Can you refuse to submit to a breath test in Wisconsin?

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in owi & traffic tickets on Friday, May 24, 2019.

No motorist in Wisconsin wants to be pulled over by the police. It can be a very stressful situation, especially if the officer accuses the motorist of drunk driving and requests that the motorist undergo a breath test. People in such situations may wonder if they can refuse to submit to a breath test if asked to by an officer. They can, but breath test refusal has consequences.

In Wisconsin, as part of the privilege of driving in the state, motorists implicitly agree to provide a breath test when asked to by a law enforcement officer at a traffic stop to determine the motorist's blood alcohol concentration. If a person refuses to submit to a breath test, they will face a one-year suspension of their driver's license for a first refusal. If it is a second or subsequent refusal, the motorist will face a two or three-year suspension of their driver's license.

Reducing your risk of injury as you walk around Oshkosh

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

Longer days and warmer temperatures may be just what the doctor ordered. Even though temperatures aren't quite up to summer level yet, you take the opportunity to get outside and walk around. The fresh air and beautiful skies make you smile.

However, you need to temper your excitement with caution. Mixing pedestrians with motor vehicles can be a toxic combination, especially for you. You don't have the protection of being inside a passenger compartment with the latest safety measures, such as airbags. If a vehicle strikes you, you will undoubtedly suffer significant injuries.

Drowsy driving can lead to trucking accidents

On behalf of David K. Sparr of David K. Sparr & Associates, S.C. posted in trucking accidents on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Most people in Wisconsin take pride in a hard day's work, and truck drivers are no exception. Moreover, they may have a financial incentive to make as many deliveries as possible as quickly as possible. This could lead them to try to spend as many hours on the road as they can, even if doing so is dangerous.

Spending too much time on the road can lead to driver fatigue. When a trucker drives while fatigued, he or she risks causing a trucking accident. In fact, one study reports that 13 percent of commercial motor vehicle drivers were drowsy when the collision occurred. And, while federal regulations limit how long a trucker can be on the road before being required to take a rest break, too many truckers still engage in drowsy driving.