Green Bay, Wisconsin has seen concerning trends in pedestrian accidents and fatalities in recent years, with data indicating specific risk factors and accident patterns that affect local residents. These incidents often occur at busy intersections, during low-visibility conditions, and in areas with high traffic volume like Lombardi Avenue and Mason Street. Pedestrian victims frequently sustain severe injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries that can lead to long-term disability or death. For those affected, understanding the statistical landscape is crucial when pursuing a personal injury claim, as these patterns can help establish negligence, identify liable parties, and demonstrate the severity of damages. Statistical evidence showing dangerous intersections, poor lighting, or inadequate pedestrian infrastructure can strengthen cases against negligent drivers, government entities responsible for road maintenance, or businesses with unsafe property conditions that contribute to pedestrian accidents.

High-Risk Areas for Pedestrians in Brown County

According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and local traffic safety reports, several roadways in Brown County present significant dangers for pedestrians. Mason Street (Highway 54/57) consistently ranks among the most hazardous, particularly at its busiest intersections with Military Avenue and Oneida Street, where limited crosswalks and high-speed traffic create dangerous conditions. Main Street in downtown Green Bay, despite its urban setting, experiences a high concentration of pedestrian incidents due to congested traffic patterns and frequent jaywalking. University Avenue near the UW-Green Bay campus presents unique risks during academic terms when student foot traffic increases substantially. State Highway 172, primarily designed for highway speeds with limited pedestrian infrastructure, has become increasingly dangerous as commercial and residential development has expanded along its corridor. Additionally, Lombardi Avenue near Lambeau Field sees pedestrian accident spikes during Packers games and events when thousands of fans navigate the area on foot, often in adverse weather conditions or after consuming alcohol, creating a perfect storm for pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin operates under a modified comparative negligence system (Wisconsin Statute §895.045), which allows injured pedestrians to recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Pedestrians should be aware of Wisconsin's statute of limitations (Wisconsin Statute §893.54), which typically allows three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wisconsin follows a fault-based insurance system, requiring motorists to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident. Injured pedestrians may be eligible for compensation including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In fatal pedestrian accidents, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims under Wisconsin Statute §895.03, though these claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. An experienced Green Bay pedestrian accident lawyer(link is external) will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Key Terms for Pedestrian Injury Insurance Claims in Wisconsin:

• Comparative Negligence - Wisconsin's legal principle that allows compensation to be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured pedestrian (if less than 51%)
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - Optional insurance coverage that pays for medical expenses regardless of fault
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage - Insurance that protects pedestrians when struck by drivers with insufficient or no insurance
• Statute of Limitations - The three-year timeframe within which a pedestrian injury lawsuit must be filed in Wisconsin
• Medical Payments Coverage - Insurance that covers reasonable medical expenses from an accident regardless of fault
• Liability Insurance - Mandatory coverage for Wisconsin drivers (25/50/10 minimums) that pays for injuries to others
• No-Fault Insurance - An insurance system NOT used in Wisconsin; the state operates under a fault-based system instead
• Subrogation - The legal process where your health insurance company may seek reimbursement from the at-fault party's insurance after paying your medical bills

Related Resources

Local Courts

• Brown County Circuit Court, 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 125 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301

Support Services

• Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin
• Spinal Cord Injury Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Disability Resources
• Green Bay Police Department Victim Services Unit

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Pedestrian Safety Resources
• Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 346 - Rules of the Road
• Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 343 - Operators' Licenses
• Brown County Traffic Safety Commission Reports

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