As a personal injury lawyer, I help people who have been injured by someone else’s negligence. As summer approaches, I can’t help but recall all of my clients who suffered unforeseen consequences while engaging in outdoor activities. Many times, my clients’ lives are thrown into complete disarray as the result of catastrophic injuries, which occurred through no fault of their own.
While having fun in the sun this summer, please keep these tips in mind to keep yourself health and to protect yourself from liability:
1. Wear Safety Belts and Seat Belts
Whether it is a family vacation or a Sunday drive, more vehicles are on the road in the summer months. It is imperative that every individual in a vehicle wear a safety belt. There have been many advances in auto safety with air bags and warning systems, however, nothing can prevent severe head injuries as well as wearing a safety belt can. As a reminder, it is illegal to fail to wear a seat belt – drivers and passengers can be ticketed!
2. Use a Helmet
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a very popular activity for the summer. It is not unusual for folks of all ages to treat safety while using an ATV as less important than motor vehicle safety. Riding an ATV can be safe and fun if proper care is taken. A person operating an ATV is required to wear a helmet unless the person is at least 18 years of age, is traveling for the purposes of hunting and fishing and is at least 12 years of age, is using the ATV for agricultural purposes, or is using the ATV on land under the management and control of the person’s immediate family. In other words, if a group of teenagers are riding ATVs at a friend’s house, everyone should wear a helmet!
3. Swimming Pool Safety
Swimming pools present the dangers of drowning and diving accidents. The Wisconsin courts have consistently held that a person who is injured after diving into water of unknown depth cannot recover damages based on negligence of the owner of the pool. Simply put, diver beware! On the other hand, pool owners and land owners have been found liable for injuries which resulted after a child stumbled into an unfenced pool or fell off a pier.
These are just a few examples of situations to approach with extra caution this summer. Considering safety first can protect you and others from unnecessary injury without stifling your enjoyment of these summer recreational activities.
About the Author
Amy Risseeuw has been with Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. as a personal injury attorney for over 15 years. Amy takes great pride in compassionately helping her clients who have been injured due to no fault of their own. She was recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer by Milwaukee Magazine in 2019 and 2020. As a Wisconsin native, Amy enjoys all of what our state has to offer during the summer months, as long as she’s doing her summer activities safely! The personal injury section at Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. offers a FREE, 30-minute consultation.
