Were you hurt in a Madison car accident caused by a speeding driver? When someone else caused the accident, you could be entitled to compensation. However, your best option for getting the money you need is to work with an experienced speeding accident lawyer in Madison, WI.

In Dane County, where Madison sits, 19 percent of accidents involved speed as a contributing factor. Seventy-four percent of these accidents occur on U.S roads, like the Beltline. The Madison speeding accident lawyers at LawtonCates have decades of experience handling these types of accidents. We are uniquely positioned to investigate the devastating high-speed crash that injured you and to seek the justice you deserve.

Don’t try to handle your case yourself. Let us use our skills and resources to pursue the compensation you’re entitled to when someone else’s actions injured you. Call our office today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

How Speeding Causes Serious Car Accidents

The speed at which an object travels, or its momentum, has a direct relation to what happens when it stops. The impact force of a car on another object equals the weight of the vehicle multiplied by its speed. High-speed collisions require more force to stop, making them particularly dangerous. Even a small increase in speed can quadruple the crash force, which increases the risk of injury.

The sensors in airbags are designed to detect rapid deceleration and trigger deployment. In high-speed situations, this is unlikely to happen in time to protect the occupants from injury. Crumple zones don’t have the same effectiveness at high speeds that they do at routine highway speeds. Even though airbags, crumple zones, and seatbelts work together to minimize the effects of a collision, they are not foolproof.

Wisconsin Laws on Speeding and Fault

The Wisconsin laws on speeding and liability include a modified comparative negligence rule. This rule allows people who were injured in an accident to pursue compensation for their injuries, even if they were partly at fault. However, they are barred from pursuing compensation if their fault exceeds 50 percent. Any compensation they receive will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault.

Traffic violations, such as speeding citations, also come into play in a civil case seeking compensation after an accident. Under Wisconsin law, a person who has violated a Wisconsin statute, regulation, or ordinance is considered “negligent per se.” That means that if the at-fault party in a motor vehicle accident received a speeding ticket, that person will be found negligent when the case goes to court, even if the injured party presents no additional evidence of fault.

Common Injuries in Speeding Accidents

Accidents in which one of the parties was speeding can result in catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries have long-term consequences, such as permanent mental impairments or permanent physical disabilities.

Common injuries in speed-related crashes include the following:

What to Do After a Speeding Accident in Madison

After you get hurt in a speeding accident, you can take steps that will help you take care of your health and prepare for your eventual insurance claim or lawsuit. You should do the following:

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Request a Madison Police officer to document the scene.
  • Take photos of long skid marks as evidence of speed.
  • Seek medical care at a Madison facility like UW Health.
  • Obey all your doctor’s orders and attend all follow-up appointments or referrals.
  • Keep all documents related to the accident, including medical records and reports, correspondence from the insurance company, and any repair receipts or estimates.
  • Stay off social media until your case is resolved.
  • Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company representative until you speak with a lawyer.
  • Don’t accept any settlement offer until you have an attorney review it.
  • Contact an experienced speeding accident lawyer in Madison, WI, who can handle your case for you.

Compensation Available for Speeding Accident Victims

You can pursue the compensation available for victims of speeding accidents through an insurance claim or lawsuit. You could get money for the following:

  • Medical expenses, present and future
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement
  • Permanent disability
  • Property repair or replacement

If your case goes to court, you could receive an award of punitive damages if the court determines that the at-fault driver acted maliciously or intentionally disregarded your rights.

How LawtonCates Helps Madison Clients

For nearly 70 years, the law firm of LawtonCates has represented injured Wisconsinites. In that time, we’ve tried and won complex cases in state and federal courts, and recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including $942,000 for a client injured in a head-on collision.

One of the reasons for our outstanding success on behalf of our clients is that we know how to support our cases with extensive medical documentation and have the resources to engage the experts required to provide persuasive opinions.

One of our satisfied clients wrote: “After trying to deal with an insurance company personally after a car accident i chose Terrence Polich to represent me. I had some prior health concerns that were exacerbated by the accident. The firm always listened to my concerns and agreed i wasnt being compensated fairly. The process moved along quickly after treatment and am happy i chose lawton and cates!” ‒ Craig Jorgensen

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Speeding Accident Lawyers Today

Consult our Madison legal team to protect your rights after a crash. You can reach us 24/7, so we’ll always be available to answer your questions. Our lawyers are committed to conducting a detailed, immediate investigation when you hire us to work on your case, so nothing falls through the cracks and no evidence disappears. We offer free, fully confidential initial consultations, and we can speak to you via phone, teleconference, or at either of our office locations.

When you get hurt in a speeding accident, and you need a car accident lawyer in Madison, don’t hesitate. Call LawtonCates today to speak with our reputable attorneys about your rights.