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Electric Scooters: Sharing the Road

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Lime Scooters are the first electric scooter company to be approved for riding on the city of Milwaukee’s streets. Around 500 scooters were expected by the Department of Public Works, to be spread mainly across Zone 1, with 50 or so of those expected to be spread across Zone 2 and 3 by the end of July. Up until a recent bill that reversed the state law, e-scooters were illegal in the state of Wisconsin. Lime is currently the only electric scooter company to hold a contract with the city of Milwaukee. Other scooter companies, such as Bird, are also attempting to sign contracts with the city. Here is what you need to know about electric scooters and how they could affect you on the road.

How do Electric Scooters affect me?

With a speed limit of only 15 miles per hour, e-scooters can only be driven on city roads. Riding the scooters on sidewalks is strictly prohibited and they must obey the rules of the road. Similar to bicycle laws, vehicles must share the road with e-scooters and they have their own safety guidelines for their riders to follow. Consider the following tips for when you are behind the wheel to help keep everyone safe while out on the road.

Steer clear of bike lanes:

  • Bikes and scooters can ride in the full lane, but as a driver of a vehicle, you can not drive in the bike lane. Remember to be aware of your surroundings, especially in regards to your blind spot. E-scooters are much smaller than cars and can easily be lost in the flow of traffic.

Be patient and slow down:

  • E-scooters may be able to share the road with you and your vehicle but they are much less powerful. It is important to be patient when driving near e-scooters and to slow down.
  • Wait for e-scooters to pass first before switching lanes or turning a corner.

Practice defensive driving:

  • Being a defensive driver is always a good idea, but it is even more important when sharing the road with e-scooters who are at a higher risk of injury than other vehicles.

Take extra care at night:

  • It can be difficult to spot e-scooters at night as visibility is low and their headlights are not as bright as your vehicle. Be sure to take extra care when driving after dark.
  • Look twice when switching lanes near an e-scooter or before taking a turn.

How do I protect myself as a driver?

In the end, safety should be your first concern. Vehicles can often be the victim of e-scooters’ reckless driving. When being defensive and patient behind the wheel doesn’t work, understand your rights as a driver. Go to Gebhard Law to learn more about your rights as a driver how to protect yourself out on the road.

How to Avoid Being Distracted While Driving

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It’s no shock that drivers today have become more dependent on hand-held technology. Such devices can cause a lot of safety issues on the road. Many distractions can come from texting, apps, and GPS. People also often enjoy eating, drinking and smoking while driving. In the US 9 people die every day from distracted driver-related accidents. Keep the following things in mind when thinking about how to avoid being distracted while driving.

Even a Glance at your Screen has an Impact

It can be hard not to look at that text that just popped up on your phone or switch playlists when the song isn’t your favorite, but these simple tasks can lead to devastating consequences. Even your car’s electronic dashboard can be a major distraction. For some easy ways to eliminate these distractions, follow these tips:

  • Turn on your phone’s do not disturb setting.
  • Leave your phone in your bag or inside the glove box.
  • Create a playlist before getting in the car to avoid song change interruptions.

Practice Defensive Driving Habits

There are often times when you question how some drivers got their licenses. When in doubt, practice defensive driving habits to steer clear of potentially dangerous situations on the road. It can be tempting to react to a frustrating situation.The safest option is always to avoid any possible accidents when a fellow driver is acting recklessly. Consider these tips on staying defensive while on the road:

  • Stay calm and avoid reacting too quickly to the situation.
  • Keep in mind that reckless drivers can still cause accidents while you are driving correctly and driving defensively is the way to go. 

Save Food and Drink for Your Destination

We are all busy, so it’s tempting to save some time by taking your meal on the road. However, food can be just as distracting as checking your text messages. It only takes a few seconds to cause an accident just because you looked away to take a bite. Take these things into consideration when you’re driving:

  • Plan ahead  so you have enough time to eat before leaving your location.
  • Eat handheld snacks with minimal packaging.
  • Use cups with straws to make drinking easier.

In the end, accidents happen and that’s where the attorneys at Gebhard Law can help. Gebhard Law can help Milwaukee and those in the surrounding area in the event that something happens on the road. The lawyers at Gebhard can determine if you need an attorney and the best course of action after your accident. Find more information on Gebhard and its lawyers here and remember to avoid being distracted while driving with these easy tips.

 

Personal Injury and Uninsured Driving: What you Need to Know

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Auto accidents are never a pretty sight. From personal injury to dealing with insurance, it’s important that you understand how to proceed in recovering from an accident. When one or both of the drivers involved in an accident are uninsured, it presents a bigger legal issue. If you’ve been injured in an accident and a driver is uninsured, here’s what you need to know about auto insurance and personal injury.

Auto Insurance Laws in Wisconsin

The State of Wisconsin requires drivers to have auto insurance. According to the DMV, drivers must have liability, uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. Liability insurance provides drivers with coverage for personal injury and automobile damage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance provides coverage when you or your passengers are injured and the other driver is uninsured/underinsured. Each type of insurance also carries a minimum requirement for how much money you’re insured for.

What if I can’t be insured?

Insurance companies may not give you coverage for a number of reasons. For example, you can be denied if you’ve been in auto accidents where an injury has occurred or your credit score isn’t looking so hot. Not having insurance is risky. If you fail to provide proof of insurance when an officer pulls you over, you may be ticketed. According to the DMV, states have plans set up that will help high-risk drivers find insurance plans. However, simply because you have been denied auto insurance doesn’t dismiss you from needing it, especially when you find yourself in an accident.

I’m uninsured and have been injured in an auto accident. What happens now?

It’s most important to first contact the authorities to help anyone who has suffered from injuries in an auto accident. Following that, you should contact a lawyer who specializes in personal injury and auto accidents. It’s important that you receive compensation from being injured in an auto accident. If you are at fault for an accident that causes damage to another’s automobile or self, you face a number of potential penalties.

First and foremost, you will be responsible for paying out of pocket for all damages to any automobiles and individuals involved. Uninsured drivers may face a suspension of their license. If you are driving under the influence, you may be subject to more serious legal trouble. By contacting a personal injury attorney, you can better assess the step towards receiving compensation.

When to contact a lawyer

If you are injured in an auto accident and one of the drivers is uninsured, it’s your best bet to call on a lawyer that can help you get compensated. Call on Gebhard Law Offices, a top personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee with a specialty in personal injury and auto accident cases.

The Scoop on Premises Liability

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A slip or fall that results in personal injury is never a good thing. But when it’s on another person’s property, the issue of premises liability arises. Premises liability holds property owners and occupants responsible for maintaining the safety of the property. Here’s what you need to know about building a case for personal injury and premises liability.

Premises Liability: Building a case

Just like any case, there is a time window for reporting a claim for personal injury. According to Wisconsin State Statute 893.54, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim in court. If that injury also caused damage to your property, say a cell phone or watch, you have six years to file a claim in court. To win a case and receive compensation for personal injury, the plaintiff must prove negligence.

Personal Injury Lawyer in Milwaukee

Negligence: Who’s fault is it?

Wisconsin State Statute 895.045 provides a lengthy definition of negligence:

“Contributory negligence does not bar recovery in an action by any person or the person’s legal representative to recover damages for negligence resulting in death or in injury to person or property, if that negligence was not greater than the negligence of the person against whom recovery is sought, but any damages allowed shall be diminished in the proportion to the amount of negligence attributed to the person recovering.”

The most important thing one must prove, in regards to negligence, is that the property’s owner was more negligent than the defendant. For example, if the property owner did not take the necessary steps to fix a broken step that a defendant fell on, they may have been more negligent. It comes down to comparing if the negligence falls on the plaintiff, then they are not entitled to compensation.

Compensation for Personal Injury

The amount of compensation a defendant may receive can also vary. According to nololaw, if the court finds that if the person making the claim has any negligence at all, they will only get a portion of the compensation. Essentially, if the plaintiff had knowledge of any unsafe conditions on the defendant’s property, they both contribute to negligence.

When You Can’t Cue for Personal Injury

Trespassing

Being somewhere you aren’t supposed to be is never good. According to Wisconsin State Statute 943.14, trespassing is defined as: “Enters or remains on any land of another after having been notified by the owner or occupant not to enter or remain on the premises.” Sustaining an injury while trespassing will most likely negate your chance of receiving compensation.

Places used for recreation

Wisconsin State Statute 895.525 illustrates that when you are performing recreational activities on premises, the participant accepts the risk associated with that. By accepting the risk, you are not able to seek compensation for any injuries that occur while on their premises.

More About a Personal Injury on Someone’s Property

If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, it’s important that you understand personal injury laws. Knowing these laws can help you receive compensation for injury and damages. If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property, call on Gebhard Law for consultation.

Assault, Battery and Personal Injury: Finding a Lawyer in Milwaukee

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According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, there were 9,758 cases of simple assault and 6,400 cases of aggravated assault in Milwaukee County. It’s important to know how to seek legal action if personal injury is the result of an assault and battery. Here’s what you need to know about finding a personal injury lawyer for assault and battery.

What is Assault and Battery?

Wisconsin State Statute 940.01 defines assault and battery as, “whoever causes bodily harm to another by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that person or another without the consent of the person so harmed is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.”

Assault can be both verbal and physical. Threatening physical harm against someone is punishable in the court of law. Battery often refers to using weapons, hitting someone with a car or having sexual relations with someone who is underage. Aggravated assault is essentially adding insult to injury. For instance, if you tell someone you are going to assault them and follow through with it, you have committed aggravated assault.

People are likely to defend themselves when threatened with violence. However, the legal definition of self-defense can be tricky.

What is Self-Defense?

Wisconsin State Statute 939.41  states that, “a person is privileged to threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with his or her person by such other person.” In other words, a person is able to defend themselves if they are either threatened, assaulted, or if they are preventing the event of serious injury or death.

The self-defense statute allows you to defend yourself if someone unlawfully enters your home or business. However, if you provoke someone or if you intend to hurt someone, you lose the privilege of self-defense. For example, a bar owner has the right to break up the fight as long as he doesn’t cause harm. Or, if a person unlawfully enters your home and assaults you, you may defend yourself.

Self-defense is a touchy subject. If you seek compensation for injury due to an assault, here’s what you need to know about civil and criminal charges.

Seeking Compensation for Assault and Battery

Assault and battery cases can both be taken to criminal and civil courts. You must be able to provide an abundance of proof that the defendant made threats, and/or acted on that threat. People must present evidence beforehand if they are seeking compensation for personal injury in civil court.

Knowing the difference between assault, battery and self-defense can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you are the victim of an assault, contact Gebhard Law Offices for a lawyer with years of experience in personal injury.

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