Auto Accident Deaths

A recent article in the Kenosha News provides harsh statistics about the number of Wisconsin auto accident deaths. Wisconsin had 735 auto accident deaths in 2007, while 2008 only recorded 587. More locally, Kenosha County had the 3rd most traffic deaths in the State, right behind Dane and Milwaukee Counties. Staggering is Kenosha's sudden rise in auto fatalities while the rest of the State sees moderate declines:

Kenosha County finished the year ranked third in the state for traffic
deaths behind Dane and Milwaukee counties. With 37 and 48 traffic deaths,
respectively, those counties are well below their totals for 2007, however.
Waukesha County was just behind Kenosha County with 27 traffic deaths.

Many factors may play a part in the sudden Kenosha County increase - increased traffic from Kenosha-Chicago commuters, harsh winters, heavy alcohol consumption, lack of seat-belt use, etc. Equally eye-opening is the number of teenagers and young adults falling victim to car accidents, perhaps suggesting inexperienced drivers or distractions within the car:

Broken down into age ranges, traffic crashes killed nine people between the ages
of 16 and 24, while claiming five people in their 30s. Also, more males (15)
died in traffic crashes this year than females (13).

When a loved one is injured or dies in an car accident, it is crucial for the family to obtain immediate representation to protect the injured party's interests. Witness statements need to be taken, the police department needs to be shadowed in order for a full investigation to be done, and private investigators need to take measurements of any tiremarks, scene photos and vehicle photos. All this should be done within the first 24 hours before the insurance company representatives begin their investigation. Injured parties that do not seek representation face an up-hill battle to receive compensation that 9 times out of 10 does not fully compensate them for their injuries.