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Recent Blog Posts
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident Caused by Loose Cargo?
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, large trucks are involved in more than 7,000 accidents, 2,000 injuries, and 70 fatalities throughout the state each year. Semi-truck accidents are particularly dangerous because of the size and weight of the vehicles, and in most cases, the occupants of other vehicles bear the brunt of the impact. These accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but one that can be challenging for an injured person to deal with is loose or unsecured cargo. If you have been injured in a truck accident, an attorney can help you determine who was responsible and seek compensation.
How Unsecured Cargo Can Cause an Accident
In order for a truck driver to safely operate their vehicle, the weight of the cargo must be properly distributed across all axles. If the cargo has been improperly loaded, or if it shifts in transit because it was not fully secured, the driver may lose traction or control and collide with other vehicles. In some cases, the movement of heavy cargo can even cause the truck to topple and cause a rollover accident. In others, loose cargo can fall off the truck entirely and into the roadway, landing on other vehicles or in their paths, giving drivers no time to avoid it.
New Lawsuit Seeking to Overturn Mask Order Is Totally Misguided
By Wisconsin once again is facing a misguided attempt to stop practical and essential public health measures and overturn orders issued by Governor Evers and his administration to help Wisconsin get through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, our state supreme court (unlike courts in almost every other state) did just that by a 4-3 majority earlier this Spring. Now, a conservative law group has filed a suit seeking to overturn the Governor’s mask order.
Will Stay-At-Home Parents Receive Spousal Maintenance After a Divorce?
By If you are a parent who is getting divorced, your first concern will likely be for your children, particularly ensuring that their financial needs will continue to be fulfilled. The good news is that Wisconsin requires both parents to contribute to child support after a divorce, and there are processes in place to enforce payment.. However, if you have been a stay-at-home parent for a significant portion of your marriage, causing you to rely on the income of your spouse, you may have additional concerns as to how you will meet your own financial needs. Spousal maintenance, or alimony, is not always awarded in a Wisconsin divorce, but with the help of an attorney, you can make a strong case for receiving the financial support you need during your divorce negotiations.
Do I Have a Case for Appealing My Criminal Sentence?
A conviction for a criminal offense does not have to mean the end of your pursuit of justice, especially if you believe that the court erred in your conviction or sentence. You have the right to challenge your conviction with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, but before you do you should make sure that you have legitimate grounds for the possible modification or reversal of your sentence. An experienced appellate attorney can advise you as to whether you should pursue an appeal and guide you through the appropriate procedures.
Grounds for Appealing a Criminal Conviction in Wisconsin
While there are certain exceptions, the court of appeals will usually only review your case if you file a notice of intent to pursue post-conviction relief no later than 20 days after your sentencing hearing. Specifically, you may have grounds to appeal due to:
- Improper selection of the jury. You may pursue an appeal if you believe the court failed to remove jurors who had a conflict of interest or exhibited bias against you, or that a juror was improperly influenced during the trial.
Can a Disorderly Conduct Ticket Affect Employment in Wisconsin?
A disorderly conduct ticket could result from a number of different circumstances. No matter where you are — a restaurant, bar, or beach front — it is not uncommon to witness an individual display unruly behavior. Wisconsin law defines disorderly conduct as indecent, violent, profane, boisterous, abusive, unreasonably loud, or otherwise disorderly behavior that provokes or causes a disturbance in a public or private area. If you have been issued a disorderly conduct ticket, it is critical that you contact a criminal defense attorney right away to avoid further criminal consequences.
Disorderly Conduct Penalties
Depending on the severity of the disorderly conduct ticket, several different penalties could arise, such as:
- Fines. The highest possible fine is $1,000 and the amount owed is determined by the court.
- Time behind bars. A jail sentence of up to 90 days can be mandated.
New Program Tracks How COVID Relief Funds Are Spent in Wisconsin
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching economic impacts throughout the United States and Wisconsin. However, with funding assistance from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Governor Tony Evers and his administration continue to invest in communities and industries throughout the state to promote resiliency and recovery. As of August 2020, the State of Wisconsin has launched a website allowing the public to see how these funds are actually being allocated to different assistance programs and initiatives. This continues Governor Evers’ commitment to more transparency in government.
How Relief Funds Have Been Used
The Governor’s Office reports a total of $1.72 billion in investment so far, with the following programs each receiving funding in the tens of millions or more:
- Routes to Recovery local government reimbursement: Wisconsin has dedicated $200 million in relief funds to aid counties and tribes throughout the state in their response to the pandemic, including emergency operations, personal protective equipment, testing and contact tracing, cleaning and sanitation supplies, and sick leave for public health and safety employees.
5 Tips for Preventing Wisconsin Bicycle Accident Injuries
With the COVID-19 pandemic making indoor exercise difficult, outdoor alternatives like bike-riding have become a common way for people to get their desired daily physical activity. If you find yourself riding your bicycle more often, it is important that you take the necessary safety precautions, especially considering that a larger number of bicycle fatalities typically occur during the summer months. While many bicycle accidents are caused by drivers of other vehicles, there is plenty you can do to reduce your chances of being involved in an accident or to lower your injury risk if an accident does occur, including:
- Wear a helmet. Although most cities in Wisconsin do not legally require bicyclists to wear a helmet, making the personal choice to do so is the best way to minimize the risk of a severe head injury or traumatic brain injury if you are involved in an accident.
- Use lights and reflectors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bicyclist fatalities are much more likely to occur between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and midnight. If you are biking at night, wearing reflective clothing and equipping the front and rear of your bike with lights can greatly increase your visibility to other drivers and reduce your chances of being hit.
Should I Be Worried About Leg Pain After a Car Accident?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3 million people suffer non-fatal injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident in the United States each year. Less serious injuries, such as cuts, scraps, and bruises, are not as concerning, and may not require medical attention. However, more serious injuries, such as broken bones, whiplash, and tears can have life-changing effects. If you have been involved in a car accident, be sure to contact a personal injury attorney to understand your options for seeking compensation.
Legs Are Incredibly Vulnerable
When drivers and passengers are in a vehicle, their lower legs are placed in a relatively small part of the car. If an accident occurs, the area that encloses the legs can become damaged and cause the individual’s limbs, knees, feet, and ankles to be squeezed.
Your legs are the most sound support system within your body. When the legs become injured, individuals find that their daily routine may be impossible to maintain for the time being. Some of the most commonly reported leg injuries resulting from car accidents include:
Can I Get Remarried After Getting Divorced in Wisconsin?
Although studies show that approximately 40 to 50 percent of all U.S. marriages end in divorce, 70 percent of those spouses who get a divorce end up remarrying later in life. A second marriage can bring much happiness and a new lease on life for those people whose first unions did not work out. However, to avoid rushing into a second marriage shortly after a divorce, some states have a mandatory waiting period. Be sure to brush up on your state’s guidelines and contact an experienced divorce attorney before considering remarriage.
Mandatory Waiting Period
Wisconsin, along with Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama, Kansas, and Texas, is one of the few states that require a waiting period to remarry after a divorce. According to Statute 765.03, individuals who are divorced in Wisconsin must wait at least six months before getting remarried.
The Future of Your Wisconsin Estate Plan and COVID-19
During unpredictable times such as a health crisis, it is only natural for individuals to think about the future of their assets if something were to happen. Legally protecting your family assures your assets will pass according to your wishes after you have passed away. That is why it is critical to plan ahead and create an estate plan with the help of a knowledgeable attorney who can make sure your wishes are carried out.
Important Estate Planning Documents
No matter what point of your life you are in, we recommend the following estate planning documents to be created:
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Will along with a revocable or living trust
