Auto Accidents

Madison Car Accidents

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, car accidents are consistently among the top five causes of fatalities, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits each year. The injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident can cause long-lasting and excruciating pain, disabilities, emotional trauma, and financial upheaval in a survivor’s life. When another party’s negligence is responsible for these injuries, the victim can file a car accident claim to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and other losses.

At LawtonCates, our legal team understands the challenges people face after an auto accident. For nearly 70 years, our Madison car accident law firm has helped injured individuals throughout South Central Wisconsin fight for their rights and hold the wrongdoers who harmed them accountable.

Our dedicated team will use our experience, knowledge, and skills to optimize your chances of getting the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today for a free case review with a car accident attorney in Madison.

Benefits of Hiring a Madison, WI, Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim

After suffering injuries in a car crash, many individuals believe they are capable of handling their claims on their own. However, they may eventually grow frustrated and disappointed as they realize how difficult it can be. Insurance adjusters may employ various strategies to shift the blame for the car crash onto you, delay the progress of your claim, or deny your car accident compensation entirely.

Working with a skilled Madison car accident lawyer can help you avoid these adverse outcomes. Your dedicated legal professional will know how to neutralize the insurance adjuster’s tactics and improve your chances of receiving a full and fair settlement. If the insurer is unwilling to give you the compensation you deserve, your attorney can file a car accident lawsuit to fight for your interests in court.

Car accident injury claims can be confusing and stressful, especially when you are in the process of recovering. Let a Wisconsin vehicle accident attorney from LawtonCates take care of every aspect of your case so that you can focus on healing.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Madison, WI

The shock of suffering injuries in an auto collision can create confusion about what steps you should take to protect yourself and your claim. You can improve your chances of your medical and financial recovery if you do the following:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention – A doctor’s evaluation may detect hidden injuries even if you do not believe you are hurt after a crash.
• Keep All Medical Records and Bills – The success of your claim depends on your ability to create a link between the accident and your injuries. Your medical records can demonstrate a causal connection, and your bills will help determine how much compensation you should claim.
• Retain Documentation of Lost Income – Payslips, tax forms, and correspondence with your HR department can help prove how much work you have missed due to the car wreck and how much income you have lost as a result.
• Refrain from Posting About the Accident Online – Insurance adjusters can use your social media posts and statements about the auto wreck against you.
• Consult with an Experienced Madison Car Accident Attorney – Your lawyer can handle all communications with insurance adjusters, investigate the accident, and, if necessary, fight for your interests in court.

How We Investigate Car Accident Cases

At LawtonCates, we conduct thorough investigations into the causes and consequences of car accidents in Madison. From the moment you hire us, we’ll begin gathering evidence, taking witness statements, consulting with experts, and analyzing all the facts surrounding your accident.

Some of our investigation techniques include:

• Visiting the accident scene to look for dangerous conditions that may have contributed to the crash
• Obtaining police reports, which contain officer observations and witness statements taken immediately after the accident
• Interviewing additional witnesses who may have seen the collision occur
• Retrieving data from the vehicles involved, such as information downloaded from the airbag control module
• Working with accident reconstruction experts to analyze skid marks, damage to vehicles and property, and other evidence to determine speeds and the relative positions of vehicles before the crash
• Collecting medical records and bills to prove the extent of your injuries and treatment needs
• Consulting with medical and vocational experts to assess the effects of your injuries on your health, daily activities, and earning capacity

Our exhaustive investigations enable us to build a solid car accident case and maximize the compensation you are entitled to.

Compensation You Could Recover in a Car Accident Claim

Some common types of compensation you may be entitled to in a car accident claim include:

• Medical Expenses – These include ambulance fees, hospital bills, costs of surgery, physical therapy, prescription medication, and any other treatment necessary because of the accident.
• Lost Income – If injuries force you to miss work, you can claim lost wages.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity – Should your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or reduce your ability to work and earn as you once did, you can claim these future lost wages.
• Pain and Suffering – You may receive compensation for physical pain and emotional trauma stemming from the accident. The amount depends on the severity and permanent effects of your injuries.
• Vehicle Repair/Replacement – If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the crash, you can claim these losses.

Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Car Wreck in Madison

Our attorneys will conduct a meticulous investigation to identify and hold all potentially liable parties fully accountable. These parties may include:

• The negligent driver who directly caused the accident through actions like speeding, running a red light, or drunk driving
• The employer of a driver who caused a crash while working
• A mechanic who improperly serviced a vehicle if their negligence contributed to an accident
• The manufacturer of a defective vehicle or component that malfunctioned, leading to a crash
• A city or county department of transportation if poorly maintained roads created hazardous conditions that contributed to the wreck
• A restaurant, bar, or social host who continued serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later was involved in a drunk driving crash

Could You Recover Compensation If You’re Partly to Blame for a Car Accident?

Wisconsin has a modified comparative negligence law. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as your negligence was not greater than the other driver’s. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you recover $100,000 in damages but were found to be 20 percent at fault, your compensation would be reduced to $80,000. The experienced car accident lawyers at LawtonCates will fight to minimize any finding of fault against you and maximize your monetary recovery.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s personal injury statute of limitations generally allows injured individuals to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party within three years of a car accident date. An attorney at LawtonCates can let you know the filing date specific to your injury case. If you file suit after the statutory period lapses, you may forfeit your right to recover the compensation you deserve. For this reason, you should speak with a knowledgeable Madison car accident attorney from LawtonCates as early as possible to avoid missing any deadlines.

Common Types and Causes of Car Accidents

The attorneys at LawtonCates have extensive experience handling the following types and causes of car accidents:

• Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is a common cause of car accident injuries in Wisconsin. Drivers who operate their vehicles while texting, using their cell phones, eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio are unable to respond quickly and safely to changing road conditions.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Accidents – Many people are concerned that they will be unable to recover compensation if they are in a crash with a motorist who has little or no insurance. Our attorneys can advise you on how you can still recover the compensation you deserve.
• Drunk Driving Accidents – Drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol endanger the lives of all road users. Driving while intoxicated makes accidents both more likely and more deadly.
• Uber/Lyft Accidents – The growing number of rideshare vehicles on Madison’s roads increases the likelihood of collisions. If you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, our attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve.
• Hit-and-Run accidents – According to statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, hit-and-run crashes make up more than 10 percent of automobile accidents statewide. We can help you hold the hit-and-run driver accountable if they are found and advise you on your options if they are not.

Typical Injuries Resulting from an Auto Collision

Car crashes often result in injuries such as:

Whatever your injuries might be, our attorneys can help you fight for the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other accident-related losses and move forward with dignity.

Contact a Madison, WI, Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have suffered injuries in a car accident in Madison, the knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys at LawtonCates understand what a challenging time you are facing. Our attorneys have helped thousands of individuals fight for the compensation they deserve, and we are ready to do the same for you.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you.