Surprise! Teen Drivers Ignore Rules June 15, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: auto accident, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Actually, I’m not surprised. A recent AP article notes a study which says teen drivers don’t abide by the law against using cell phones.
The understatement of the year may be a quote from the article, “Cell phone bans for teen drivers are difficult to enforce.” This was referring to enforcement by police agencies.
I think the easiest enforcement is for parents to take cell phones away. Or simply talk with teens about the dangers of talking on cell phones. If any parents want examples of how using a cell phone while driving is dangers just give me a call. I can give you lots of examples of my clients who were seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents where the at fault party was distracted by a cell phone.
FYI. There is no statewide ban on cell phone use while driving in Wisconsin.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Wauwatosa.
Finally Some “Good” News June 14, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: Allstate Insurance, auto accident, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Allstate recently conducted a survey about fatal teen crashes.
The metro area including Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis is one of the 10 LEAST deadly teen driving hotspots according to Allstate Insurance and its research foundation. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL also falls in the least deadly category.
There is bad news for Wisconsin vacationers. The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is the greatest “hotspot for fatal teen crashes.”
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Crivitz, Kenosha, Janesville and Wauwatosa.
What To Say When The Worst Happens. May 28, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: auto accident, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Memorial Day just passed. We are officially enjoying “summer.” If you are like me you are probably going north to enjoy Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
So, what happens when you are in Wisconsin’s Northwoods and involved in a car accident. No lighting, few signs, miles from the nearest house…talk about adding stress to a stressful situation.
Marinette County has some good tips on what to do when you are involved in a car accident in rural Wisconsin.
For example, give the 911 operator the name of the road you are on and in which direction you were traveling. Don’t remember this? Give the operator the last town you drove by.
In short, no one ever expects an accident to happen. Drive defensively and pay attention to your surroundings. The easier it is for the police and first responders to find you the better.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in, Wauwatosa, Kenosha, Marinette and Janesville.
Hit and Run and Ran May 22, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: auto accident, car accident, Uninsured Motorist Coverage, wisconsin personal injury
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Let’s say someone is hit by a car and the car doesn’t stop. We know it as a “Hit and Run.” Many times the police, with the help of witnesses, are able to find the car that caused the collision. But what if the car hits and runs and ultimately gets away. Or if the car that causes the collision has no insurance. If you’re injured who pays for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering and inconvenience.
In Wisconsin, if you have auto insurance you will also have Uninsured Motorist coverage. Wisconsin law allows the car accident victim to make a claim against their own auto insurance. After the Uninsured Motorist coverage pays for your injuries the insurance company has the right and ability to investigate further and get paid back from the driver of the hit and run vehicle.
Remember to talk with your insurance agent about your coverage. Ask about the limits of your uninsured motorist coverage. It’s important to have enough coverage to fully compensate you just in case you are hit by a driver that flees the scene of an accident or does not have any insurance.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Racine, Green Bay, Plymouth and Wauwatosa.
P.D. F/U May 7, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: auto accident, property damage, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Just a quick follow-up on my Property Damage post. Keep the at-fault insurance company honest when it come to the estimate for your motor vehicle damage. Take your damaged car to a few different body shops and get estimates. If your car is considered a “total loss” be sure to check out www.carmax.com, www.autotrader.com, www.kbb.com or www.nada.com for comparable values. Look to the “private party” value instead of the “trade in” value. “Trade in” value takes into consideration refinishing etc. and will affect the value.
This info applies to car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents and any other vehicles out there. It never hurts to get a second (or third) opinion.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Waukesha, Peshtigo, Beloit and Janesville.
No Fee on P.D.? May 6, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury, Personal Groth.Tags: attorneys fees, auto accident, motorcycle accident, personal injury, property damage, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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I was asked a few minutes ago about the fees I charge. In general, personal injury lawyers get paid from a “bodily injury” settlement or verdict.
I should explain. Insurance companies deal with two sides of an auto accident/motorcycle accident etc. BI=Bodily Injury and PD=Property Damage.
Personal injury attorney’s fees are based on the recovery obtained for the client. Because it is a percentage of the recovery, the more the attorney recovers for the client the more the attorney gets paid. It’s the reason we’ll try as hard as possible to get as much as the law will allow.
We almost never charge a fee from the PD side of the case. In general, be wary of the law firm that states they take a fee from BI and PD settlements. In my opinion, a personal injury lawyer should take a fee from the property damage settlement only in the most unique and very rare situations.
So, if you are unlucky enough to get into a car accident, motorcycle accident or other personal injury be sure to interview lawyers and ask, “Fee on P.D.?”
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Pleasant Prairie, Stevens Point, Minocqua and St. Nazianz.
Should I Stop Going to the Doctor? May 5, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury, Personal Groth.Tags: auto accident, medical care, motorcycle accident, Wisconsin car accident lawyer, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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You’d be surprised how many times I hear this question. My usual follow up question is, “Are you still in pain?” When the answer is “Yes” I respond with “Yes, go to the Doctor to make sure: everything is going as planned/doesn’t get worse/you don’t need to do more or less.”
Many people feel guilty about going to the doctor. They don’t want to take up the doctor’s valuable time. “Someone else might be injured worse than me.”
When you are involved a car accident, motorcycle collision or some other injury the law in Wisconsin says that you need to be put back into the position you were before the collision. The way we can tell whether you are getting better or how to value your injury is by reviewing the medical records. Doctors help injured people. If you don’t go to the doctor to get better and to follow up with your injuries then how will anyone know if you could have gotten better or if you may get worse.
In short, go to the doctor if you are having problems. Doctors are here to help. Let them.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Mukwanago, Waukesha, Lena and Two Rivers.
Ever Hear Of A Designated Driver? May 4, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: auto accident, designated driver, Drunk Driving, personal injury
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I’ve written before about the doctor from Oconomowoc (Mark Benson) who drove while intoxicated and killed and injured innocent victims. The blogosphere has taken off with opinions about what should happen. The former doctor’s photo and criminal case has been plastered over our TVs. Because of the publicity he will hopefully get the prison time he deserves.
Not to be a pessimist here but what about the next “Mark Benson.” Do we have the fortitude to stop ourselves?
I just read the latest Time mazagine and noticed on page 26 that “9% of U.S. adults” believe they have driven while over the legal blood-alcohol limit in the past month. There was a recent article about this in the Journal Sentinel. Wisconsin, of course, was among the leaders whose citizens drink and drive.
Take this advice. If you spend the money to drink, spend the money for a cab ride home. Spend some money calling a friend to pick you up. Take the bus. Walk!
It is events like these that force the issue. Hopefully, people will think twice before joining the 9%.
Why do you have to order medical records and bills? April 26, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: auto accident, Certified Medical Records, personal injury, wisconsin personal injury
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I hear this question quite often. It’s ususally followed by, “Why can’t I just go to my doctor’s office and get them.”
Honestly, you can. I’ve had clients get their own medical records. But, I only recommend a client get their own medical records with our help. Why? Because we always ask for “certified” medical records.
Certified medical records are needed if you go to trial. So, instead of ordering “regular” medical records (and getting charged for them) and then having to order “certified” records later on (and getting charged for them), we just ask for certified records right away.
Personal injury attorneys pay the costs of these records. We only get paid back for these costs if we recover compensation for the injured victim. We don’t charge interest on these costs.
Personal injury law is all I do. I’ve found this is the best way to make sure we know about your injuries in order to get full compensation AND to streamline your case so this compensation is obtained as soon as possible.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Milton, Oconto, Sturgeon Bay and Jefferson.
Why Hire A Personal Injury Attorney? April 21, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: Allstate Insurance, attorney, auto accident, hiring a lawyer, motorcycle accident, personal injury
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I think personal injury attorneys are asked this question more than any other. It’s a legitimate question. Injury attorneys in Wisconsin usually charge a contingent fee of 1/3 of the settlement or verdict in addition to costs. Why hire a plummer if you can fix your leaky faucet yourself?
Surprisingly, Allstate Insurance has helped answer the question. Allstate’s own website states “represented claims settle for 2-3 times more than unrepresented claims.” (See page C000011298). Allstate goes on to urge their adjuster to convince injured victims to NOT hire an attorney.
Why do represented victims of car accidents, motorcycle accidents or other personal injury matters recover more than unrepresented victims? I’d like to this because personal injury attorneys know the law and won’t leave any stone unturned. The right Personal Injury Attorney will make sure that the injured person receives the compensation they are due. Take a look at my earlier comments about what a case is worth.
Kudos to Illinois Attorney Howard Zimmerle for finding this information.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in West Allis, Crivitz, Plymouth, and Germantown.
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