Wisconsin Child Safety Seat Laws & Safety Tips

Summertime in Wisconsin is perfect for enjoying time on the water. Whether you are setting sail on a family-friendly pontoon, fishing boat, or old canoe, a day on the lake just can’t be beaten.

However, there are safety risks involved with boating. Speeding, negligence, drinking, and inexperience are all common causes of boating accidents in Wisconsin. In this post, we want to share a few tips to help you stay safe on the water this summer.

How to Stay Safe While Boating in Wisconsin

Wearing a life jacket - According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 80% of boating accident deaths could be avoided by wearing life jackets. When a boating accident occurs, you have limited time to stretch and get your stowed life jackets. Therefore, it is advisable to ensure that you and everyone on board has a life jacket while boating.
Avoid drinking alcohol - Alcohol consumption while boating is illegal and endangers the lives of everyone on board. Remember that intoxicated swimmers and passengers are also more likely to drown.
Be weather-wise - Whether you are operating a boat during the summer, spring or fall season, always consider carrying a radio and watching out for the weather. Sometimes, wind shifts and choppy water can be telltale signs of a brewing storm. Get to shore as soon as you realize the weather is about to change.
Don’t overload the boat - It’s essential to follow your boat’s load limit restrictions. Overloading your boat can make it unstable and surge the risk of swamping or capsizing.
Ensure all operators are trained - Human error is a leading cause of boating accidents. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that all operators can effectively navigate and operate the boat. You can do this by ensuring boating operators take a boating safety course that includes reading the weather, boat handling, and navigation.
Maintain a safe speed - Like on the road, you can face penalties or fines for overspeeding on the water. Since there are no lanes on water and different water vessels zig-zag everywhere, it can be challenging for speeding boats to avoid collisions. Therefore, it is essential to ensure you excess caution and obey the speed limits.

What Should You Do After a Boating Accident?

After a boating accident, you should ensure that everyone on board is safe. If there are injuries, loss of life, property damage in excess of $2,000 or the total loss of a boat, you are required to report the incident to law enforcement without delay.

As with other accidents, it is essential to gather evidence immediately. You need to collect police reports, witness testimonies, videos, and photos of the scene. A Milwaukee boating accident attorney will help you gather the evidence you need to establish a strong case against the party at fault.

Contact a Milwaukee Boating Accident Attorney

At Natasha Misra Law, we are ready to help you get the compensation you need to move forward after a boat accident. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist in strengthening your case.

Child seats are absolutely essential for protecting your child while you drive. In this blog from Natasha Misra Law, we’ll look at the laws around child safety seats in Wisconsin, and provide some tips on proper baby seat installation.

Wisconsin Law Requires Children To Be Safely Seated In Child Seats

Wisconsin law is very clear about safety requirements for kids:

Babies less than one year old or 20 lbs in weight must be in a rear-facing child seat in the back seat.
Children who are under 4 years old or under 40 pounds must be in a car seat in the back seat.
Kids under 8 years of age or who are under 4 feet, 9 inches in height or 80 pounds must use a booster seat, again in the back seat.
Children who exceed these requirements may sit without a child seat.

Wisconsin does not have an explicit law about what age a child may be before they ride in the front passenger seat, but experts recommend that kids be at least 13 years old before riding in the front seat.

Tips For Installing Baby Seats In Your Car

Wondering how to keep your child safe when purchasing and installing a child seat? Here are a few recommendations that will help.

Choose the right seat – Make sure to choose the right seat based on the Wisconsin laws outlined above. You can refer to the NHTSA’s car seat recommendations to make sure you get the right type of seat for your child.
Read the installation instructions – More than half of all car seats are not installed properly. Each seat is different, so read the installation instructions closely to confirm that you’ve installed it safely and correctly.
Double-check your child before you drive – Always make sure your child is properly buckled and secured. Double-check the car seat to ensure it’s installed correctly.
Keep the car seat in place – Avoid constantly removing and replacing the car seat. Ideally, you should anchor it securely and leave it in place. This reduces the risk of accidentally installing it improperly.

What To Do If Your Child Is Injured In A Car Accident

An injury to your child in a car accident can be devastating. If your child is injured, you may be able to pursue the negligent driver for damages including medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other such damages. Your car seat might also be damaged in an accident, making the insurance company of the person who caused for the accident responsible for replacing the car seat. The first step is an initial consultation with an experienced Milwaukee car accident attorney.

Keep Your Children Safe With These Child Seat Safety Tips

Remember, child safety when driving starts with you. Always choose a reputable car seat, secure it safely, and buckle your child in properly. This will provide maximum protection in case of an accident.

And if you and your child are involved in an accident, get in touch with Natasha Misraw Law for a consultation with a Milwaukee car accident attorney. Contact us online or call at 414-635-2858 to get the help you need.

Natasha Misra

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.