If you’ve lived in Milwaukee long enough, you know how quickly the roads can change. One minute traffic is moving normally. The next, a light snowfall turns into slick intersections, black ice on bridges, and cars sliding through stop signs.
It was icy… so is anyone really at fault?
The short answer is yes, sometimes. Ice makes driving harder. It does not erase responsibility.
In Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin, liability in a car accident is based on negligence. That means the question is whether someone failed to drive with reasonable care under the conditions.
If a driver fails to adapt and causes a crash, icy roads do not protect them from liability.
When we review winter crash cases in Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, and Green Bay, certain patterns show up repeatedly:
Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. If you are found 20 percent responsible, for example, your compensation would be reduced by that percentage.
Winter crashes often involve shared fault arguments. One driver may say the other stopped suddenly. The other may argue someone was driving too fast. Sorting that out requires a close look at police reports, vehicle damage, witness statements, and weather conditions at the time of the crash. These cases are rarely as simple as “it was just icy.”
Some people wonder whether the city is responsible for failing to clear roads quickly enough. Government liability is much more limited and involves special legal rules and deadlines. Most winter accident claims focus on driver behavior rather than snow removal itself.
The real issue is usually whether someone drove in a way that was unsafe for the conditions that day.
Winter accident claims can quickly become complicated. Insurance companies often lean on the weather as a defense. They may argue the crash was unavoidable. They may try to shift blame onto you. At Natasha Misra Law, we look beyond the surface, our team:
Natasha stays personally involved in car accident cases, supported by a highly experienced team that understands how Wisconsin insurers approach winter crashes. We also offer interpretation services, including Spanish, Burmese, and Rohingya, so every client can fully understand their rights and options.
Our goal is not just to file a claim. It is to make sure the weather is not used as an excuse to undervalue what happened to you.
If you were injured in a winter driving accident in Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, or Green Bay, do not assume the ice automatically means no one is responsible.
Call us today or fill out our form for a free consultation.
Natasha Misra Law is here to review what happened, explain where you stand, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
A collision resulting from a motorist turning right on a red traffic light can have fatal consequences. In most cases, the layout of the intersection, surrounding traffic patterns, and vehicle speed are found to be critical variables in determining the outcome of a case. It’s important to know the law and understand who holds the right of way to keep your loved ones safe.
In Wisconsin, a motorist approaching a solid or flashing red light or stop sign must come to a complete stop prior to the nearest marked limit line, such as a crosswalk, or the entrance to the intersection itself. The State law allows motorists to make a right turn after stopping at a red light, as long as:
There are a number of ways that a right turn on red accident can occur. Below we discuss a few common causes.
If you are driving straight toward an intersection and have a green light, and another vehicle hits you after making a right turn without stopping or yielding the right of way, that driver could be found negligent and liable for the accident. Vehicles that are already on the roadway have the right of way, unless they have a stop sign, traffic light, or traffic signal that tells them to stop.
Even in the case of a speeding oncoming car, motorists should yield before making a right on red turn. A motorist may be found liable if they attempt to merge without accounting for the necessary time and space to do so.
When motorists begin to execute a right-hand turn, they are generally more focused on oncoming traffic and their ability to merge successfully. If you’re a pedestrian or a cyclist within a marked crosswalk, you may find yourself outside of their field of view and in a situation that leaves you hurt or hospitalized.
If a vehicle strikes you in a crosswalk, the driver will often claim to have had the right of way and that you crossed during a “no walk sign,” or out of turn. Any evidence that proves your right to cross will be important to your case. There may be witnesses nearby or traffic cameras that can be checked. The police may also do breathalyzer tests to see if the driver was under-the-influence or determine if they had been using their cellphones while driving.
Hit and run accidents are also common with right turn on red accidents. In a hit-and-run, any information regarding the description (Ex. model, color, or license plate) will help ensure that the driver is found. A general rule of thumb is to always take care of yourself or any bodily injuries first, before attempting to gather any evidence or testimony.
If you have been injured by a negligent motorist making a right-hand turn on a red light, contact our office to begin working towards a resolution. You may be entitled to compensation to cover any injuries, damages, lost wages, and/or medical costs you have incurred. Contact the Milwaukee personal injury law firm Natasha Misra Law today to schedule a free consultation.
My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.
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