Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyer

An auto wreck can cost you everything, and the insurance is guaranteed to attempt to get you to settle for as little as they can get away with. Find out the true value of your claim when you consult with a Milwaukee car accident attorney.

Car accidents are a costly fact of life, but getting hurt in one that was caused by someone else should not result in financial ruin for you. Whether you have been involved in a minor rear-end collision or a high-speed rollover accident, you need the responsible party to compensate you fairly for any damages you might have suffered.

The best way to achieve this goal is to work with a car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Gary S. Greenberg. We can ensure that you will get the compensation you need to help you regain control of your life.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Milwaukee

If you’ve been in an accident, you’re under an immense amount of stress. That stress may be compounded if you’ve been injured during the accident and are in pain. You may not be considering what you should do next.

Improve your chances for recovery and protect your rights when you take the following steps into consideration. You can increase your chances of receiving fair compensation by following them.

Check for Injuries

Receive prompt medical attention if you were injured in the accident. If your injuries are serious, you may need to call for an ambulance at the scene.

Even if you weren’t seriously injured, it’s important to have someone bring you to the doctor to get checked out. You want to have any hidden injuries diagnosed and treated and to improve your chances of a full recovery.

Always follow the doctor’s recommendations and go to every appointment that is scheduled. Your claim may be denied if you do not follow the advice of the medical professional.

Collect all medical records. You need these to document your injuries sustained and treatments received. This can increase the likelihood of receiving compensation for your claim.

Call the Authorities

You’re required to notify the police so they can document the accident. They can make a preliminary decision on what they feel happened at the scene. They will write all the details down in a report that can be used as evidence in your claim.

The report will have everyone’s information on it. This includes the drivers that are involved and any witnesses to the accident.

You can obtain a copy of the report from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles. This can take up to ten days to show up but may be a vital piece of evidence when you’re seeking compensation for your injuries.

Document the Scene

Take photos and videos of the scene if you’re able. If you’ve been injured and there are others at the scene, you can ask them to document the accident. Pictures and videos of injuries, damages, and the area the accident happened can help you document the accident and get vital evidence.

The more you have documented, the better your chances are of receiving compensation for the accident. This evidence should be given to your attorney.

File Your Claim

When you’re ready and have the necessary information, you can file a claim with your insurance company. While you may feel like it is straightforward, the insurance company may not be on your side, putting you at a disadvantage. You may need an attorney who can handle the insurance company and ensure they offer you the settlement you’re due.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Milwaukee

While your health and well-being come first, seeking out an attorney can help your claim succeed. They can help you file your claim, speak with the insurance company, and work on building a strong case against the other driver.

The Milwaukee law office that you work with will protect your best interests. They will ensure that they get the fairest compensation for the injuries and damages sustained in the accident.

Understanding Negligence in Wisconsin

Negligence is a concept that has been around for a very long time. The law surrounding this concept basically asserts that every person is responsible for the injuries and harm he or she does to other people. If someone has harmed you and you suffered damages as a result, you can hold the at-fault person liable.

Damages are the ways that you’ve been harmed because of the negligent party. If you are hurt but don’t suffer damages, it’s unlikely you’ll have much of a case for personal injury compensation.

For example, if you’re assaulted and receive a black eye, but you never go to the doctor or miss any time at work, then you may not be able to file a claim for economic damages. That person could be held accountable in criminal court for assault, though.

If, however, that person’s assault left you with hospital bills, missed time at work, and a head injury, you could sue him or her in civil court. You can even go after them for the physical pain you endured because of the assault and any mental trauma you went through due to fear and anxiety related to being attacked.

Vehicle wrecks work the same way. If you suffer injuries and damages because of an auto collision, you can sue whoever is responsible by filing an injury case against him or her. You shouldn’t have to pay for financial and non-financial losses when you didn’t cause your car crash. Your Milwaukee auto injury attorney can help you obtain compensation.

Dealing with Insurance After an Auto Wreck in Milwaukee

Many of the expenses that you suffer should be covered by insurance, but there are often conflicts of interest and the simple fact that the insurance company values their profits over your health. In the end, the insurance company is likely to be far less than helpful and will even use your own statements out of context against you in order to push blame for the wreck onto you.

This is due to comparative negligence laws, which state that the amount of fault that the accident victim has will be compared to the assigned percentage of fault the defendant has. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault for the cause of the motor vehicle accident, while the defense is 80 percent liable, your award would be reduced by 20 percent.

The insurance companies will do their best to settle your claim for the absolute bare minimum. Our team will ensure that you receive the proper payout from your insurance company, as well as the at-fault parties.

Wisconsin Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is only three years in Wisconsin. If you wait too long and file after the time limit has expired, you will lose your legal right to compensation for your car accident in Milwaukee.

Three years can sound like plenty of time, but the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to collect both the evidence and witness testimony that can be used to prove your case.

That’s why you may want to begin working with a Milwaukee car wreck lawyer as soon as possible after the wreck. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll wind up in court, but it preserves your right to take the matter to trial, should that turn out to be your best option.

Car Crash Causes and Determining Fault

There are many different types of drivers—including Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers—and almost as many ways that they can cause auto accidents. In many instances, there might be multiple at-fault parties, and identifying them can maximize the potential compensation you receive.

Cause generally indicates who was at fault and how, making it incredibly important to fully investigate your Milwaukee auto crash:

• Distracted driving is a growing concern that causes thousands of wrecks every year. A distracted driver might be texting, talking, looking in the mirror, or simply changing the radio station, but the results can be deadly in every case.
• Speeding is always dangerous, and the accidents it causes can be much more catastrophic than those occurring at safe speeds. Speeding drivers and motorcyclists will need to explain their decision to drive so recklessly, which will help your case for compensation.
• Driving aggressively by weaving in and out of traffic without signaling, ignoring stop signs and traffic lights, and following too closely can seriously affect the ability of other drivers to travel safely. When a driver behaves this way, he or she puts all other travelers at risk for injury. This behavior is common with truck drivers.
• Drunk driving steals many lives every year and is an act of gross negligence. If alcohol or drug use caused your accident, the intoxicated driver is almost certain to bear a large portion of the fault. These crashes often turn into hit-and-run cases.

Apart from the driver of the other vehicle, parts manufacturers and technicians could hold some liability for the crash if they failed to issue recalls where necessary or knowingly installed malfunctioning parts when making repairs to your vehicle.

Additionally, local and state road authorities can be responsible for your damages if a road hazard like a large pothole, unsecured construction zone, or missing street sign or traffic light played a part in the collision.

Investigating Your Milwaukee Auto Wreck

Figuring out what and who caused your wreck is only half the battle. You must also be able to prove the responsible party’s fault. Proving your case means that someone must investigate the crash scene, and that person probably won’t be you if you’re severely injured.

If you’re stuck in a hospital with serious injuries, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to grab a magnifying glass and solve the mystery. You’ll likely need the help of someone who is experienced with investigating auto wrecks and who has the resources to hire crash scene experts.

Your Milwaukee car wreck attorney from our firm is just that someone, and we will do everything possible to help you prove your case. We will interview witnesses, obtain evidence, and assist you with gathering medical documentation from your doctor. See below for an idea of what types of evidence could be used to prove a vehicle collision case in Milwaukee:

• Medical history and medical documentation of your accident-related injuries
• Witness statements from the crash scene or other witnesses
• Crash scene expert testimony and other expert testimony
• Police reports, accident reports, and recall reports
• Documentation of all of your losses
• Video and photographic evidence

Car Accident Injuries

Any auto accident can cause a wide array of injuries—both physical and psychological. Your injuries will be the single greatest factor when determining what your overall personal injury claim is worth. For example, depending on their extent, you might need expensive medical equipment to be temporarily or permanently installed in your home.

Regardless of how bad your injuries might seem initially, there are often hidden costs involved, and some injuries may not even manifest symptoms until much later. Your auto wreck lawyer in Milwaukee will work with your doctor to provide you with an assessment of your short- and long-term costs.

Any number of injuries can occur, completely changing the way you live your life. Even a seemingly minor injury can develop into something much more serious. Severe injuries that could affect you for the rest of your life include the following:

• Head injuries and brain damage
• Neck and spine trauma
• Organ failure
• Broken bones
• PTSD
• Nerve damage
• Amputation
• Third-degree burns
• Internal bleeding
• Anxiety and depression
• Facial and eye injuries
• Wrongful death

Internal Bleeding and Bruising

Bruises tend to not be very serious and heal in a couple of weeks, but a serious bruise can be a sign of worse damage. One of the most common injuries in car accidents is bruising, especially when wearing a seatbelt. The bruises may be as deep as the bone.

Bruises can also be an indicator of internal bleeding. Bruises on the head should be monitored, as they can indicate a brain injury and may escalate quickly. Organ failure can also happen because of the extent of the injuries sustained.

Some signs that can signify a worse injury include loss of motion, swelling, severe pain, vomiting, headaches, racing pulse, or a fever. Any symptoms that are not normal with bruising should get medical attention.

Back Injuries

Back pain is a common problem after a Milwaukee car accident, and it can impact your quality of life. People may even become disabled because of the back injury or pain caused by it. Some people may face a lifetime of disability because of these injuries, drastically changing their lives.

Many types of back injuries include strains, sprains, ruptured or slipped discs, pinched nerves, and nerve damage. These may require therapy or surgery to repair, and even then may cause lifelong pain and issues.

Broken Bones

Broken bones and fractures are sometimes not easily detectable right after an accident. Pain, later on, might alert you that something is actually wrong. Broken ribs and bones in the chest are common when wearing a seatbelt during a collision.

There are many types of bone fractures such as displaced fractures, open fractures, stress fractures, and partial fractures. The details of your injury and recovery depend on how the bone breaks and where the break is located.

Head and Neck Injuries

When the body is jarred, it can cause injuries to the tendons, cartilage, muscles, and soft tissues in the neck. Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries that occur during a motor vehicle accident in Milwaukee.

Whiplash is not visible when it happens. It can take months to heal and may even cause pain throughout your recovery. It’s important to seek medical attention after an accident to ensure your neck is alright, which can help you prevent or avoid severe pain.

Paralysis

Serious injuries, specifically injuries to the spinal cord, can cause paralysis. This can be partial or complete and affect the area below the injury. Bruising or tearing of the spinal cord causes paralysis. Unfortunately, these injuries may lead to permanent damage and a lifetime of mobility and sensation issues.

The injuries often also result in a lifetime of surgeries, therapy, pain control, and mobility equipment. Paralysis causes the inability to move any of the limbs, but it can also cause muscle spasms, loss of feeling, infertility, difficulty breathing, and chronic pain.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

A shocking or traumatic event, like a car accident, can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may see flashes of the accident whenever you’re getting into a car. You may have a limited ability to do many of the things you once loved.

Sleeping problems and night terrors are often experienced, along with depression and anxiety. Car accidents can also cause mental and emotional trauma that is not labeled as PTSD. You may need ongoing psychological care to help you overcome this suffering.

Concussion and Brain Injuries

When the body is forced to stop suddenly, your brain may hit the inside of your skull. This movement can cause a concussion. This causes the brain to stretch, bounce, or otherwise move in abnormal ways. This not only harms the brain physically but can also cause chemical changes.

Concussions are potentially life-threatening and should be treated seriously. This type of injury is one you’re unable to see with the naked eye. Even if you think you just have a bump on your head, you may be suffering a concussion.

Bruising, tearing, and bleeding inside the brain are common with a concussion. Look for changes in concentration, memory, problem-solving, and learning. These injuries can cause changes in your motor skills, cognitive function, and personality following a Milwaukee car accident.

Amputation

The force that happens during a car accident can entirely remove a limb or cause substantial damage that requires the limb to be removed. Losing a limb leads to long-term rehabilitation and care, as well as expensive expenses for prosthetic limbs and other assistive devices.

Losing your limbs can impact and limit your daily activities. It can change your life drastically. Because of this, there are not only physical losses but emotional ones, too.

Disfiguration

Disfiguration can happen if there are severe injuries, burns, or a need for surgery in a visible area like the face. These can change the appearance of a person and may require significant surgery to correct. Scars and burns can limit a person’s future because of how they look.

Scars can contract as they heal which limits movement or grow into a keloid. They may also become infected and cause pain as they heal. Long-term problems are common in those with serious burns and scars including anxiety and depression.

In any case, the injuries that survivors of car accidents sustain can have a devastating impact on their lives for years to come. Many victims find themselves in physical therapy to learn how to do tasks they once could do easily, such as eating, walking and speaking. Others deal with emotional trauma by working with a talk therapist who can help reduce symptoms of PTSD or depression.

Financial Compensation for an Auto Wreck

Insurance companies will often attempt to avoid covering every expense created by a car accident, and the person or entity liable will fight every request for compensation. You need a Milwaukee car accident lawyer to help you get every medical bill, missed day of work, and piece of damaged property paid in full.

Getting a fair settlement means getting every single financial damage and non-economic loss factored into your final settlement amount.

Financial losses are all the ways the accident has cost you money—if you had to miss out on work because of your accident, for instance.

Non-economic (non-financial) losses are the losses you’ve suffered that don’t have to do with money. For example, if your accident injuries have caused your family life to suffer due to stress and financial hardship, that suffering can be listed in your demand for compensation.

You have the right to compensation for a variety of damages:

• Current and future medical costs, including prescription medications, physical therapy, medical equipment, modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate medical equipment (i.e., wheelchair ramps or hospital beds), ambulance rides, life flights, surgical procedures, copays, and the costs of transportation to and from any hospital or doctor visits
• Income loss, both immediate from missing work and long-term from any change in your ability to perform your job or work standard hours (long-term damages could include contributions to your 401K, bonuses, and would-be salary increases)
• Loss of enjoyment of life, which means you are no longer able to participate in activities that you found happiness in prior to your injury
• Pain and suffering that make getting through the day a challenge
• Mental anguish caused by either the wreck itself or diminished abilities related to your injuries
• Loss of consortium, society, companionship, or love

When the court sees fit, an award of punitive damages could even be applied to your claim for an at-fault party’s extreme negligence, recklessness, or malicious behavior. These damages are meant to deter future wrongdoers from making similar judgment errors and as a punishment for the defendant. Punitive damages will dramatically increase the value of your claim.

Free Consultation with a Milwaukee Auto Wreck Attorney

Whether your crash involved another car, a commercial truck, a motorcycle, or any other kind of motor vehicle, the responsible party has a legal obligation to provide you with financial compensation for your damages and losses. You know the insurance company won’t be on your side in this matter, but with help from the Law Offices of Gary S. Greenberg, you can get the full settlement that you are owed.

Give us a call at 414-271-7007 to schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation with a Milwaukee car accident lawyer. You may also fill out the convenient contact form at the bottom of this page, and someone from our office will contact you as soon as possible.