A 56-year-old Wisconsin Rapids woman is dead after a Wednesday afternoon crash on Highway 54 near Plover. Preliminary investigation indicates a school bus traveling west between Monroe Avenue and Coolidge Avenue was stopped, unloading students on the right shoulder of Highway 54. A westbound car came upon the stopped bus and stopped in the left-hand lane. A 25-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man then smashed into the stopped car from behind, sending it into the median. As bystanders waited for emergency personnel to arrive at the scene, they approached the wreckage to try to help the trapped driver. They were able to reach the woman after breaking a window. They found her unresponsive, though still with a pulse. Emergency personnel arrived, extricated the woman and transported her to Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Ambulance Service, Portage County Traffic Incident Management, Portage County Coroner’s Office and Plover Police and Fire departments all responded. The left lane of Highway 54 westbound was closed as responders investigated the scene. Investigation is ongoing.
Read more at the Stevens Point Journal.
When a school bus is stopped and is displaying flashing lights, according to Wisconsin law, vehicles that approach that bus from behind are required to stop at least 20 feet away and remain stopped until the flashing lights are extinguished. These rules exist to protect the school aged children who may be loading or unloading near the school bus. When drivers are inattentive or otherwise fail to follow these rules of the road, they put members of the public at risk and the results can be tragic. After a serious accident like the one discussed above, it is critical to involve an experienced personal injury attorney right away so he or she can investigate the facts of the crash as soon as possible. While your family focuses on healing, a wrongful death lawyer can handle the claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company and work with available insurance to make sure medical bills and funeral expenses are paid. Call Bremer & Trollop today to set up a free consultation. Bremer & Trollop has offices in Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wausau, Antigo and Minocqua.
If you are recovering from an injury, you need to focus on regaining your health. You should not have to negotiate with stubborn insurance companies or compromise with a defendant.
A Wausau personal injury lawyer could lessen the stress and complications associated with collecting compensation, allowing you to recover fully. Call today to learn more about your options.