A car wreck can change your life. It can bring not just physical injuries but also mental turmoil and financial instability. Mounting medical bills, costly vehicle repairs, and the feeling of helplessness are common consequences of a motor vehicle accident. Recovering the compensation you need to rebuild your life can be challenging, especially if you navigate the car accident claim process alone.
A Wisconsin car accident lawyer with LawtonCates can help you protect your rights and pursue meaningful compensation for your financial losses following a car crash. We have a long history and strong reputation for serving the South Central Wisconsin area since 1958. Beyond a commitment to recovering personal injury compensation for our clients, we are dedicated to making our community a better place to live.
Our law firm is here to help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries after a devastating vehicle accident. Contact our office today to set up a free, no-obligation case evaluation. You’ll learn more about your legal rights and what sets our Wisconsin car accident law firm apart.
To request a free case evaluation, call (608) 456-8399 or contact us online to speak with a Car Accident Lawyer near you.
Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim in Wisconsin
Navigating the aftermath of a car crash can be challenging, especially when you are trying to focus on healing from serious injuries. One of the most vital benefits you gain from seeking the help of an experienced Wisconsin car accident attorney is peace of mind.
When you work with LawtonCates, you shift the burden of handling your car accident claim to your lawyer. Your attorney can:
- Investigate the cause of the car wreck
- Determine liability
- Manage communication with the insurer
- Calculate the estimated value of your losses before negotiating for maximum compensation
- File a car accident lawsuit and fight for your rights at trial (if necessary)
Always remember — the insurance company wants to keep its profits high. That means moving through claims quickly and offering accident victims as little as possible for their car accident injuries. You may even receive a phone call from an adjuster while you are still lying in your hospital bed! That strategy gives you no time to understand the full scope of your injuries or their long-term impact on your life.
Once you hire a car accident law firm, you can direct all insurance questions and communications to your attorney. Not only does that take the pressure off your shoulders, it also protects you from unfair insurance tactics aimed at getting you to settle for less.
Before discussing anything with an insurer, talk to a skilled lawyer about your case. At LawtonCates, we provide effective legal representation in Madison, Milwaukee, Jefferson, and the South Central Wisconsin region.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Wisconsin
Immediately after a motor vehicle accident, you should contact the authorities and exchange information with the other driver. In addition, you should seek medical attention for your injuries. It’s crucial not to delay getting your injuries reviewed and treated by a medical professional.
Following these crucial steps carefully after a car accident can impact your ability to recover maximum compensation for your injuries. However, your actions in the days and weeks after a crash can also affect your car accident claim.
Here’s what you need to do after a car accident to improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome for your situation:
- Contact a Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer – Getting a lawyer on your side from the beginning is the best way to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need following a car accident in Wisconsin. Request a free case evaluation as soon as possible to learn more about how an attorney can help you manage your car accident claim.
- Keep Records of Your Expenses – You must keep detailed records of the expenses associated with the car crash. Medical bills, repair receipts, out-of-pocket costs, pay stubs, and other documents highlighting your financial losses are valuable. These documents can help your attorney accurately calculate the value of your claim and then seek maximum compensation on your behalf at the negotiating table.
- Avoid Social Media – Do not post about the accident on social media platforms. You should avoid social media entirely until after your attorney resolves your claim. Insurers and opposing attorneys scour social media, looking for posts from you that can help them discredit your claim or diminish its value.
- Follow Doctor’s Orders – Your medical records can be valuable evidence in a car accident claim. Always follow your doctor’s instructions, keep all follow-up appointments, and take medication as prescribed. Failure to adhere to your doctor’s advice could be taken as proof that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.
How We Investigate Car Accident Claims in Wisconsin
How do we investigate car accident attorney investigate car accident claims? It comes down to aggressively collecting and preserving evidence. Several outlets can provide an attorney with information on the cause of the accident and who was responsible for the car wreck.
At LawtonCates, we will collect evidence pertinent to your claim, including:
- Police report
- Medical records
- Cellular phone records
- Surveillance and dashcam videos
- Witness statements
- Expert witness testimony
We carefully comb through all available evidence to help paint a complete picture of the incident. Our lawyers then use the evidence from our intense investigation to build a compelling claim for maximum compensation on your behalf.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Car Accident Claim in Wisconsin
Seeking compensation following a car accident can be challenging. Thankfully, a car accident attorney in Wisconsin can help you recover the money you need to rebuild your life. Although the value of each car accident claim varies depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of a person’s injuries, most victims can seek money for the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage such as vehicle repair/replacement
Timeline of a Car Accident Lawsuit in Wisconsin
Clients often ask how long a car accident case will take. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every case comes with its own set of facts. Even a car accident that occurred under similar circumstances with similar injuries can vary significantly in how long it takes to resolve.
However, most car accident claims progress through several key stages:
- Investigation – Gathering evidence to determine the cause of the wreck, all liable parties, and the resources available to compensate you
- Claim submittal – Sending a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company detailing your injuries and a proposed settlement amount
- Insurance negotiations – Pushing for fair compensation that accounts for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future damages
- Trial – Filing a lawsuit and preparing your case for trial if an insurer refuses to settle
Most car accident claims never go to court. However, sometimes the pressure of a lawsuit is enough to bring the insurance company back to the negotiating table and make a more reasonable offer.
Notable Case Results in Wisconsin
Recovering compensation is always a goal at LawtonCates, but it’s part of a larger mission: to stabilize your finances so you can get your life back on track. We take pride in the results we have obtained for car accident victims in Wisconsin. Just two examples include:
- $942,0000 – Settlement for three victims injured in a head-on collision with an uninsured driver
- $463,000 – Verdict for a client in Dane County who suffered knee injuries and PTSD after a head-on crash in Dane County
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.
Why Choose LawtonCates for Car Accident Claims
Since 1958, clients have trusted LawtonCates to handle their car accident cases with the skill, compassion, and professionalism they deserve. Many of our personal injury attorneys have been recognized by professional organizations such as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, and The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers list.
Additionally, our law firm holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating awarded for ethical standards and professionalism.
Most importantly, we care about what happens after your case is over. Our goal is to help you move forward with a stronger future. You can count on us to fight for you at every step.
An experienced Wisconsin car accident lawyer from LawtonCates can review your situation and estimate the overall value of your claim.
It is easy to point the finger at a careless driver following a crash. However, there may be more than one liable party involved. Part of your attorney’s investigation focuses on identifying all potentially liable parties who may have had a hand in causing the motor vehicle accident.
Parties who may be wholly or partially liable for a collision can include:
- One or more insurance companies
- The at-fault driver
- A parts manufacturer
- A government entity
We will help you find all potentially liable individuals or parties. In doing so, you can get the maximum compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries.
Can you recover compensation from a civil lawsuit if you are partially to blame for causing the car wreck? In Wisconsin, the answer is yes.
The state follows a modified comparative negligence system. It states that you can recover compensation from a car accident case, even if your actions partially caused the collision, as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. However, your compensation diminishes by the same percentage as the fault you bear. If a jury or judge finds you to be 25% at fault for a case worth $100,000, your compensation will be reduced to $75,000.
Note that the comparative negligence rule binds Wisconsin judges and juries. It does not bind car insurance claims adjusters. However, it does guide how an adjuster may estimate the overall value of your claim. A skilled car accident attorney in Wisconsin can work to put your involvement in the most favorable light, giving you a better chance of recovering fair compensation.
Sometimes, filing a car accident lawsuit becomes the best way to recover compensation following an auto wreck. However, auto accident victims have limited time to file their cases. In most cases, car accident injury victims generally have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin seeking compensation for their losses. You should contact an attorney at LawtonCates for the filing date specific to your case.
Wisconsin car accidents come in numerous varieties. At LawtonCates, we have the knowledge and resources to handle claims involving:
- Head-on collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Uninsured and underinsured accidents
- Multiple-vehicle collisions
Unfortunately, most car accidents are the result of careless driving behaviors. Some of the most common causes of Wisconsin car accidents tend to include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving accidents
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to obey traffic lights
- Failure to obey traffic signs
No matter the type or cause of the car accident, the legal team at LawtonCates can help you through the claim process and seek meaningful compensation for your injuries.
Car accidents can leave victims suffering from devastating and life-altering physical injuries. Recovering from these injuries can take time and effort, leaving you struggling to cope with daily tasks. Working with an attorney from LawtonCates means you have the support to manage your car accident claim, freeing you to heal and recover from your injuries.
Some of the most common injuries that occur due to an auto collision include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck and spine injuries
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Dislocations
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage
- Lacerations
- Contusions
The trauma of the crash and the stress of managing a catastrophic injury can also lead to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).