When a car accident happens, the damage can extend far beyond your vehicle. Serious injuries and financial challenges can make it difficult to move forward. If you suffered injuries in Cottage Grove, WI, knowing your rights for seeking compensation is essential. Talking to an attorney is a wise first step.
The Cottage Grove car accident lawyers at LawtonCates can evaluate your case and review your legal options in a free consultation. Our skilled team provides comprehensive legal representation and dedicated advocacy for auto accident victims throughout South Central Wisconsin. Contact us today for a complimentary case evaluation.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Cottage Grove?
When you need a car accident attorney in Cottage Grove, look for a lawyer who is experienced, has a proven track record of handling personal injury cases like yours, and makes you feel confident that your case is in good hands. Since 1958, our goal at LawtonCates has been to pursue maximum compensation for accident victims, and we’re prepared to do just that for you.
Over the years, our personal injury attorneys have recovered millions for our clients, including over $942,000 for accident victims injured in a head-on collision with an uninsured motorist. Past successes do not guarantee future outcomes, but our auto accident attorneys fight to achieve the best possible results for every client through personalized representation, strategic advocacy, and by leveraging past case law to support each claim.
To learn more about what it’s like to work with lawyers who provide top-rated service, we encourage you to check out our client reviews:
“I highly recommend Dixon Gahnz and LawtonCates for all of your legal needs. Dixon took the time to listen to our case and provided guidance to us every step of the way. He always made sure he listened to our concerns while explaining the process, strategies and options we had moving forward. We always felt he had our best interests in mind. We will never go anywhere else.” – Jeff Miller
What Types of Car Accident Cases Do We Handle?
LawtonCates handles various types of car accident cases in Cottage Grove. Some of the most common include:
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups – These chain-reaction accidents involve three or more vehicles and typically occur at intersections or in heavy traffic. The more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complex your case will be.
- Head-on collisions – Front-end collisions can cause severe injuries and are often fatal. Head-on crashes frequently result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe fractures, and internal organ injuries — all of which can lead to overwhelming medical expenses.
- Rear-end collisions – Even a low-speed rear-end collision can cause whiplash and other soft-tissue damage. These car crashes typically occur when vehicles are stopped at intersections or in stop-and-go traffic.
- Side-impact accidents – T-bone collisions and sideswipes are two types of side-impact collisions. T-bone accidents often happen in intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way. Sideswipe accidents increase the risk of injury by causing vehicles to hit other cars or leave the roadway.
- Rollover accidents – Rollovers happen when a vehicle flips on its side or roof. Blunt-force trauma from the rollover can cause severe injuries or pin victims within the car.
- Single-vehicle accidents – Poor road conditions or vehicle malfunctions can lead to single-car accidents. Determining who may be at fault requires a careful investigation to uncover the actual cause of the crash. A Cottage Grove auto accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation while you heal from your injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Car Accident Cases?
Determining who can be held liable for the crash that injured you depends on the facts of the case. In some situations, one driver may be at fault. In other instances, several parties may share responsibility for a wreck.
- Other drivers could be liable for the accident if they were speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or did something else to cause the collision, like running a stop sign. When a driver is at fault, you can seek compensation by filing a liability claim against their auto insurance company.
- A manufacturer might be liable if a vehicle malfunctions or contains a defective part that causes a crash.
- Maintenance providers may be at fault if they provide subpar service that contributes to a crash.
- A government agency may be legally responsible when poor road maintenance contributes to a car accident. Inadequate maintenance can include failing to repair large potholes promptly, neglecting to repaint faded road lines, not replacing missing signs, or leaving traffic signals in disrepair.
- Bars and restaurants could bear liability under Wisconsin’s dram shop law if they serve alcohol to a minor who later causes an accident.
Importance of Evidence in Car Accident Claims
Evidence is the backbone of any successful car accident claim. Without sufficient evidence, proving that the other driver was at fault for the crash will be challenging. Examples of key evidence your car accident lawyer may collect to support your personal injury claim include:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Accident scene photographs
- Video footage from traffic, surveillance, or dashboard cameras
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony from crash reconstruction specialists and medical professionals
How Can I Seek Compensation in Cottage Grove if the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
If the driver who caused the accident that harmed you had no auto insurance or fled the scene, you can still seek compensation for your injuries. However, instead of filing a claim against that driver’s liability insurance coverage, you file it against your own uninsured motorist coverage (UM).
Wisconsin law requires all drivers to have a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for a single person and $50,000 in bodily injury coverage for two or more people hurt in a collision with an uninsured motorist.
If your expenses exceed these limits, an experienced attorney can help you explore other avenues for seeking additional compensation, such as by identifying other at-fault parties against whom we can file claims or lawsuits.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys
You deserve justice if someone else’s negligence caused your car accident injuries. Let LawtonCates help you pursue it. Call or contact us today for a free initial consultation with a car accident attorney in Cottage Grove.