Happy Pit Bull Awareness Day October 24, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Dog Attack Information.Tags: dog bite attorney, Pit Bull Ban, Pit Bull Dog Bites, Wisconsin Dog Bite Law
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Yes, the day has finally arrived! Tomorrow is Pit Bull Awareness day.
Celebrate responsibly.
Wisconsin Solo and Small Firm Conference October 23, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: attorney, CLE, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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It’s time for the WSSFC in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Check out the website for more information.
Some of the headliners are Kevin O’Keefe, Laurel Bellows, and Connie Kilmark.
It’s a three day conference and covers a ton of different topics. Check it out. If you are going then I’ll see you there (I’m speaking Friday afternoon). If you forgot to register and want to come on by please do. Otherwise, put it on your calendar for next year!
Another Drunk Driving Statistic October 23, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Drunk Driving.Tags: Drunk Driver, Drunk Driving, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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According to the Journal Sentinel series on Drunk Driving that I recently posted about Wisconsin:
Wisconsin has the largest percentage of binge drinkers and the largest percentage of drunken driving accidents, yet several states take a harder line on alcohol issues than Wisconsin. Click the topics below to see how Wisconsin compares to the rest of the U.S.
You need to see this diagram. It looks like Wisconsin makes up almost 1/4 of the nation’s drunk driving accidents. Wow. I don’t know really what to say to that. It’s embarrassing. In this case it is NOT good to be #1.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in West Allis, Crivitz, Plymouth, and Germantown.
Series on Drunk Driving October 22, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Drunk Driving.Tags: Drunk Drivers, Drunk Driving, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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If you haven’t read the Journal Sentinel these past few days you are missing out on a good five part series on drinking in Wisconsin.
Tuesday’s article talked about Wisconsin’s lax drunk driving laws. You can get a sense of my opinion on this topic by checking out my tag cloud over on the bottom right of my blog.
Listen to this. I hope you are as shocked as
In 1999, the maximum penalty for a fifth offense translated to 40 months in prison. After that, it changed to a three-year prison term with the possibility of three more years for those who break the law again. But in Milwaukee County, no five-time drunken driver received the maximum, the Journal Sentinel found.
So, if a 5 time drunk driver doesn’t get the maximum then who will? The reports talks about how sentencing varied widely between judges. In short some judges are more liberal and some are more conservative when it comes to sentencing.
I don’t want to cut and past the entire article here. I hope you’ll read it and keep pressure on our legislators to make a change in the right direction.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Marinette, Milwaukee, Milton and Wauwatosa.
Bikes: That What I’m reading About Today October 21, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Motorcycle Collisions.Tags: Bicycle Accident, Bicycle Safety, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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On any given day I bet no one would guess what I’m reading. Some days it is medical records about a cervical fracture. On other days it is a study about drunk drivers. Well, today I was reading a publication from the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin entitled, “Bike Sense, The Wisconsin Bicycle Operator’s Manual.”
I’m looking for some information specific to a recent bicycle vs. car collision. Much of the information you probably remember from driver’s ed. For example, bicycles should drive with traffic. It’s safer.
What I was looking for and found was this passage:
You may pass on the right if it is safe to do so. It is safe only if you can maintain at least three feet clearance from both stopped and moving vehicles. When passing, be sure to check for drivers positioning themselves to make a right turn. Motorists may not signal their turns and often do not expect you to be to their right. This is a common cause of crashes.
A recent client was told that he was partially at fault simply because he passed a stopped car on the right. Now, the police report gives the opinion that my client was partially at fault even though there isn’t a basis for it in the law.
If you get a chance, read the bicycle manual. It’s always good to get a refresher on bike safety. Especially, nowadays when more people are avoiding high gas prices and getting back on their bicycles.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Kansasville, Marinette, Milton and Wauwatosa.
Creativity October 17, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: attorney, Marquette University Law School, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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A fellow Marquette alumnus emailed me with some kind words and a link to his blog. I think you should check it out. It’s called The Profit Power of Creativity.
In my “trial lawyer world “creativity is a huge asset (now that I think of it where is creativity NOT an asset). When you can think outside the box (while staying within the confines of the law) this job is more fun and more profitable.
Take a look at Mark’s blog and take his advice. We need more crab apples in the world.
Animal Attack Quarantine October 15, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Dog Attack Information.Tags: dog bite, Wisconsin Dog Bite Attorney, Wisconsin Dog Bite Law, Wisconsin Dog Bites
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Sauk County discusses the law that mandates that any owner of a dog or cat must quarantine their animal if it attacks.
In short, if your dog or cat bites someone it is Wisconsin law that the animal be quarantined so it can be observed for rabies. Obviously, you should call the police first and then work with them and your veterinarian to make sure the animal that attacked is up to date on all vaccines.
Remember that the owner of the animal is responsible for the costs of the quarantine. So, be sure to read your insurance policy to see if this will be covered under your home owner’s insurance policy.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Kansasville, Beloit, Sheboygan, Wauwatosa and Oconto.
You’re Not Always in Good Hands October 13, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: Allstate Insurance, car accident, hiring a lawyer, injury settlement, insurance settlement, Personal Injury Attorney, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Either take less money or wait years until Allstate is forced to settle. That is what has been reported about Allstate’s claims practices. (Remember the ad: when you have Allstate Insurance you are “Always in Good Hands”).
Yesterday, I was talking with a friend whose client was hesitant to hire a personal injury attorney. Simply asking the powerful question, “Why?”
I think the answer to “Why hire an attorney” is answered in that story. It discovered a few things about Allstate’s injury claims:
First, the company evaluates claims with a computer program designed to reduce payouts by as much as 20 percent of what the company once paid for the same injuries.
Second, Allstate pushes policyholders to accept quick settlements without the help of lawyers. Policyholders who try to fight for more money face Allstate attorneys coached to refuse to negotiate and to drag out litigation.
A former Allstate attorney described their tactics:
They put pressure on people by establishing that they are a bully in the market.
I recommend you read the article or other blogs about the article. Many other insurance companies are now using Allstate’s computer program or programs just like it. If you have any questions about their tactics feel free to post a comment or contact me.
Don’t forget to read my previous post entitled “Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney.”
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in West Allis, Crivitz, Plymouth, and Germantown.
800,000 Dog Bite Victims Need Medical Attention Annually October 9, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: dog bite, rottweiler dog bite, Wisconsin Dog Bite Attorney, Wisconsin Dog Bite Law, Wisconsin Dog Bites
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That’s the American Veterinary Medical Association talking. For what it’s worth 800,000 is approximately the population of San Fransisco.
The AVMA goes on to say that dogs attack children more than adults. Check out the site. I recommend it.
And please, take their advice. If you are bit by a dog or if your dog bites please contact the police. Why? Because it’s important that the proper authorities are notified in order to ascertain whether the dog has rabies. Isn’t it better safe than sorry?
I have a client who was bit by a rottweiler while at a motorcycle race. The owner never came forward. My client gave the police a lot of information while in pain from the bite. The police conducted an investigation that resulted in almost a dozen page report. But, no dog. After my client returned home from the hospital he did remember the rottweiler’s owner’s motorcycle number. Using that and google we were able to find the owner and help the police find the dog. Finally, after the police caught up with the owner she admitted to owning the dog and to the bite.
Wouldn’t it have been a lot easier if the dog owner took responsibility from the get go? It would have saved taxpayer money and a lot of stress and unnecessary trouble.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in West Allis, Eagle, Crivitz, Plymouth, and Germantown.
What’s In Your Homeowner’s Insurance? October 8, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: homeowners policy, insurance settlement, umbrella policy
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According to a recent study a majority of Americans don’t know what’s in their homeowners policy. Does your insurance supplement your auto policy? What is your deductible? Is your insurance replacement value increased along with your home renovations?
Take this opportunity to look long and hard at your policy. Review it before you need to use it! Don’t forget to check out my previous post about umbrella coverage.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Lomira, Twin Lakes, Wauwatosa and Milton.
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