Driving In The Rain

Inclement weather conditions, such as rain, make driving more dangerous. In fact, thousands of accidents each year are attributable to rain and the failure of drivers to change their fair weather driving habits while they are driving in rainy conditions.

When it is raining, the rain causes a film of water on the roadway to develop.The film that develops on the roadway causes tires to lose traction more easily than when the road is free of condensation.Additionally, Car Accident Injury Milwaukee rain reduces driver perception as often times rain decreases the effectiveness of a vehicle’s headlights and windshields.As such, rainy conditions make it more difficult to see other vehicles, road signs, and the road itself.Drivers who take the following simple precautions while driving in the rain will decrease the likelihood of being involved in an accident that is, in part, attributable to rain:

Slow down. Not only does it take longer to stop in wet weather, but also hydroplaning is more likely to occur.Hydroplaning occurs when water on the roadway accumulates in front of your vehicle’s tires faster than your car can push the water out of the way.The water pressure can cause your car to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between the road and your tires. Hydroplaning usually occurs at speeds over 40 miles per hour and can put you in immediate danger as a result of your vehicle sliding out of control. However, Car Accident Lawyer Milwaukee do find yourself hydroplaning, don’t brake suddenly or turn the wheel as this may cause a skid. Instead, slowly release your foot from the gas pedal and maintain a straight course until your vehicle regains traction.

Apply the brakes earlier and with less force. Following this tip will give the driver driving behind you warning that you are slowing down,thus, decreasing the likelihood the driver behind you will have to abruptly react to avoid an accident.

Be more cautious when rain occurs after a long period without rain. Engine oil and grease often build up on a roadway during long periods without rain.When the rain mixes with the oil and grease accumulation that has occurred on the roadway, the road becomes very slick.This increases the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle. As such, make sure to be extra cautious while driving after a long dry spell.

By following the above-mentioned precautions, along with a number of other precautions, you will decrease the likelihood of being in an accident due to rainy weather conditions.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”

Car Driver Safety Tips For Driving on Roadways With Motorcycles

Summertime means more motorcycles on the roadways, which means that drivers need to be extra cautious while hitting the open road. Motorcycles present many more challenges than other vehicles, so cars need to take extra steps to prevent accidents from occurring with Motorcycle Accident Attorney Milwaukee. Most of the time when a car and a motorcycle get in an accident it’s the car’s fault.

Motorcycles can easily be hidden in a car’s blind spot because they are very small, so drivers should take an extra moment to search for motorcycles before changing lanes or turning at an intersection. Motorcycles may also appear farther away than they actually are because of their small size, thus drivers should always predict that motorcycles are closer than they appear. Sometimes motorcycles even slow down by downshifting or letting off the throttle, as opposed to using the brake, therefore; drivers should allow more following distance, about four seconds, behind motorcycles and expect that a motorcycle will slow down without a visual warning.

Motorcycles move a lot quicker than cars, as a result drivers should put on their signals early to inform motorcycles drivers of their intentions to turn or change lanes. Drivers must always respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway, and allow a Motorcycle Accident Injury Milwaukee a full lane width because the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions.Also, just because motorcycles have great maneuverability does not mean that drivers should always expect motorcyclist’s to be able to dodge out of the way to avoid their car. Instead, drivers should always stay alert while driving so motorcyclists don’t have to worry about dodging out of the way of their car.

As long as drivers follow these tips, the roads should be a safer place for motorcyclists all summer long.

Studies Show Dangers of Loose Objects In Automobiles

Recent studies have shown that many drivers are increasing the risk of injury or death in automobile accidents by leaving items unsecured. Safety expert, Sean Kane of Safety Research and Strategies, told Good Morning America that ordinary objects in cars and trucks are responsible for 13,000 injuries each year. Those half-filled water bottles, canned goods, lab tops could all become dangerous projectiles when hurling through the air during collisions. At 55 miles per hour, a 20-pound object hits with 1,000 pounds of force -- so powerful that a suitcase can literally seer the arm of a crash test dummy. Sadly, many Automobile Accident Lawyer Milwaukee are completely oblivious to the dangers until it is too late, as was the case for Heather Storey. Heather was driving her car in 2009 when she was hit by a tow truck. Subsequently, Heather’s computer turned into a deadly projectile and flew into her head and neck causing horrific fatal injuries that she succumbed to.

A recent segment of Good Morning America offered several tips for protecting yourself and your passengers. First, drivers should only pack items in the truck or cargo area of their vehicle, where they are less likely to intrude into the passenger compartments. If your car has a cargo area, utilize the cargo nets, anchors, and tethers to secure the cargo. Perhaps most importantly, if it is not important to your drive, leave the object at home. This gives people a good reason to clean out their cars. Drivers can also utilize storage compartments better and pack large, heavier objects low to the ground, against fixed components and centered inside the vehicle. By doing this, the objects will not build up momentum in the event of a Automobile Personal Injury Milwaukee.

There is no fool proof way to avoid a car accident, but drivers can take steps to minimize the potential for injury or loss of life. Cleaning out your vehicle and not leaving unnecessary heavy objects in your vehicle are two of those ways. By taking these steps, drivers can help reduce the chance of injury should they be unfortunate enough to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

New Study Reveals That Posting On Somebody’s Wall Increases The Chances You Will Drive Into One.

A recent study shows that checking your friend’s status, or writing on your colleague’s wall while driving, is more dangerous than drinking or texting and driving. Car Accident Injury Milwaukee research released by the Institute of Advanced Motorists in the UK revealed that social networking is considerably less safe than texting, drinking to the legal limit, and smoking marijuana. The study revealed that almost one out of every four drivers in the UK has admitted to using social networking sites while operating a vehicle. Another study showed just how dangerous this can be. The TRL for the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found that those who use their smartphones on the move routinely spend up to sixty percent of their time looking down at the device instead of focusing on the road ahead. As compared to this, those without phones spend just 10 per cent of the time, on an average, looking away, for instance to check the speedometer, satnav or in-car entertainment.

The new controversy has led to some possible remedies suggested by the Department of Transportation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the Department of Transportation, said electronic functions that compel drivers to look away from the road for more than two seconds -- to do such things as Web searches, social networking, texting and navigation that requires the input of addresses -- are too dangerous when cars are moving. The agency recommended these functions be inaccessible to front-seat passengers "whenever the vehicle's engine is on and its transmission is not in 'Park,'" the agency said in guidelines published in the Federal Register, Washington's official journal containing public notices of government agencies.

With the popularity of social networking sites and smartphones, this will continue to be an issue in the upcoming years. While it may seem like an innocent crime, most experienced and good drivers realize that taking your eyes off the road for only a couple seconds could lead to life changing consequences. If drivers are using social networking sites while driving, the distraction level will go far beyond a couple seconds. A possible block of certain smartphone applications and abilities might be necessary if Car Accident Lawyer Milwaukee are unable to carrel the temptation to facebook or tweet. Legislators and other public officials have already had experience in dealing with this type of issue in regard to texting while driving. One can assume they will be more likely to crack down on potential offenders more quickly now that they have already dealt with a similar issue before. Drivers must really ask themselves if posting on someone’s wall is really worth possibly injuring or killing another driver, pedestrian, or themselves.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”

Reclined Passengers Face Added Dangers of Injuries And Death In Motor Vehicle Accidents

A recent study has shown that reclining in an automobile could be fatal. Harborview Medical Center Director of Emergency Services, Dr. Eileen Bulger, specializes in trauma and critical care. She conducted a study after noticing a pattern of increased injuries and fatalities in reclined seated passengers compared to upright passengers. The study showed that partially reclined passengers involved in an accident increased their risk of death by 15 percent. Fully reclined passengers increased their risk by 70 percent.

There appears to be an unsophisticated reason for the increase in injuries and fatalities among reclined passengers. Simply put, reclined passengers make seatbelt and airbag functions less effective. Dr. Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; the Auto Injury Attorney Milwaukee that conducts crash safety tests states, “What people need to understand is that when we test vehicles for how well they'll protect you in a crash, we are assuming that people are seated upright in the seat." Lund stated that safety tests have never been done with the seat reclined. Lard went on to state that "Having the seat reclined means you're not protected the way the vehicle was designed to protect you.”

Further complicating the problem is the blatant lack of knowledge regarding the dangers of reclining in a motor vehicle. Most motor vehicle manuals warn of the potential risk of reclining in a passenger seat. However, the majority of the general public neglects to take the time to read the owner’s manual. Few people understand that the more space between the seat belt and the passenger's chest, the greater the risk of death or serious injury; caused when your body either slams against the seat belt itself or "submarines" and slides beneath the seat belt.

Car manufacturers should provide some type of Auto Injury Lawyer Milwaukee, whether in writing on the visor, to better educate the public. However, car manufacturers have yet to provide such warnings. The easiest way to avoid these types of horrific injuries or deaths is to educate the public on the dangers and risks of sitting in a reclined seat. While taking a quick nap might be convenient, it could be the difference between relatively minor injuries and possible death.

Wisconsin Motorcycle Helmet Regulation

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to drive down the highway in a convertible, you’ve experienced the remarkable sensation of the wind blowing through your hair. Surely, this type of sensation contributes to motorcyclists’ love of their hobby. Unfortunately, attaining this feeling on a motorcycle is accompanied with greater consequences because of the increased vulnerability rider’s face.

Even though Wisconsin has mandated the use of Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Milwaukee, legislature has astoundingly not treated the use of helmets on motorcycles the same way. Instead, helmets are required only for individuals under the age of 18 or with a learner’s permit. However, Wisconsin riders should not be surprised if regulation is soon enhanced. In 2011, 92 percent of individuals killed in motorcycle crashes were not wearing a helmet. Moreover, nearly 600 motorcyclists have been killed as a result of such accidents in the past six years.

Although wearing a helmet may seem intuitive for many, studies by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrate that more individuals are likely to forego such protective headgear when it is not proscribed by law.

Part of what makes this country great is the population’s ability to freely participate in selective and independent decision-making. However, when such freedom negatively affects the greater good then the government is permitted to regulate the problematic activity.

Placed in the context of this discussion, when motorcyclists do not wear helmets and are involved in both deadly and dangerous accidents, the health care costs are often passed off to the general public.

In fact, the CDC estimates that in 2010 over $3 billion was saved as a result of individuals wearing helmets and that an additional $1.4 billion could have been saved with mandatory helmet use.

Whether the state legislature intends to amend the law remains unclear, but it is apparent that helmets do provide motorcyclists with greater protection. Motorcyclists have averaged over 2,600 accidents between 2005 and 2010. Don’t become a statistic. Gruber Law Offices encourages all riders to enjoy their summer travels and exercise safety on the roads by Motorcycle Accident Attorney Milwaukee.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”

Swimming And Water Safety

The Fourth of July is known for its fireworks, but it is also a popular time for water activities. Unfortunately, swimming and water related accidents happen at the countless pools and thousands of beaches across Wisconsin every day Swimming-related injuries can result from various things including: slip and fall; drowning; exposure to bacteria; dangerous riptides; non-visible obstructions under the water; electricity; diving boards, and slides. Fortunately, swimming and water-related accidents can be prevented if we all take a moment to respect the dangers of water and make a conscious effort to avoid them.

The American Red Cross of Southeastern Wisconsin recommends several steps that should be taken in order to swim safely. The most notable tips include: staying alert and aware of your surroundings; only diving in designated areas; staying hydrated; avoiding alcohol; using life jackets; being aware of weather and water conditions (including bacteria levels, which are available not running near pools; never leaving a child unattended near a body of water; and always trying to swim in a supervised area where a trained professional is available to assist you.

Most importantly, know how to swim. Contact your local YMCA for information about affordable swimming courses, which are offered at various locations throughout the State. Also, be sure to visit the Red Cross website for more information regarding water activity safety. Swim safely!

If you or a loved one has been hurt or injured in a diving or swimming accident due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Personal Injuries milwaukee Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. For more Information please visit Slip And Fall Milwaukee website.