The chance of having an accident is present every time motorists get on the road. While a safe arrival at their destination is many drivers’ main priority, accidents can and still do happen.
According to data from the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, more than 40,000 people were injured in accidents in 2018, and more than 500 people died. As these figures suggest, not all accidents are fatal, but they do leave many people recovering from wounds that could put them in the hospital or out of work for an extended period as they heal.
If you were driving a car when you had your accident, you might have suffered injuries from an accident because of someone else’s negligence. The individual(s) who hit you could have been driving while distracted, engaged in aggressive driving, or gotten behind the wheel intoxicated. Driver fatigue, weather, and driver error can also cause vehicle accidents.
No matter the reason for the accident, such experiences are traumatic and costly, and you should not have to shoulder the costs of such an accident alone.
If you are recovering from a car accident and seeking to hold the liable party responsible, a Wisconsin car accident lawyer can review the details of your situation and possibly help you recover a financial award. This award would cover medical expenses you paid out to treat your injuries, damaged property, and other losses.
Call the legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Some people walk away from a car accident without a scratch or only with minor injuries. But many others suffer from greater injuries that put their health and their lives at risk. Whiplash and traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious of them.
Whiplash is when force moves the neck back and forth rapidly, as the Mayo Clinic explains, likening it to a “cracking of a whip.” According to the clinic, it is a common injury that occurs in rear-end car accidents and can appear within days after the injury.
Whiplash that does not improve within a few days can worsen and bring on uncomfortable symptoms, among them neck pain and stiffness, tiredness, and dizziness. People with increasing discomfort from whiplash should see a doctor promptly.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) involve a blow or wound to the head, which can fracture the skull or harm the brain. These injuries include concussions, contusions (bruises on the brain that could lead to bleeding), and hematoma, which is severe bleeding on the brain, among others. The Mayo Clinic writes that injuries such as these can develop into long-term health complications or death.
Other common injuries that result from car accidents include:
- Broken bones in various places on the body
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, swelling in connective tissue)
- Chest injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Scrapes, cuts, burns
Accident victims should seek immediate medical attention on the spot or shortly after the accident happens. No matter how small an injury appears to be at first, receiving an examination is important in case your injuries develop into more significant health problems. It is common for accident victims to report feeling little to no pain when the accident occurs or shortly after that. However, when the adrenaline rush wears off, and the person has had time to sit still, they soon realize their injuries are worth a second look.
Seeking prompt medical attention can also bolster your case. Documentation that shows you sought emergency care can support your claim that you were injured after your accident and strengthen your case for financial recovery. It can also show what prescription medication you take and the therapies you must receive as a result of the accident.
Severe injuries such as those listed above require medical care that can cost thousands of dollars in medical expenses or lost wages as victims recover from an accident.
One study found that severe traumatic brain injury can require treatment that reaches the high thousands. The research, published in PLoS One, found that in-hospital treatment costs for severe TBIs could reach between $2,130 to $401,808.
Seeking legal action to recover medical costs from a car accident can take time. While you can manage this on your own, you can instead spend your time focusing on your physical, mental, and emotional recovery. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can manage your case for you and take care of important legal matters while you rest and work on getting better.
You have the option to seek to recover the losses you incurred in your accident. Call us today to learn how a Wisconsin car accident lawyer could help you pursue legal recourse. We offer a free case evaluation that can help you decide what your next steps should be.
A Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Determine Liability
Car accidents can happen so quickly for many reasons, and sometimes this can make it unclear who should be held responsible for them. A lawyer can help establish liability by gathering evidence that supports your claim or lawsuit for compensation.
This effort may include:
- Investigating the accident site
- Reviewing medical records, police reports
- Looking at photos or videos taken after the accident occurred
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and taking their statements
- Meeting with an accident reconstructionist
- Viewing surveillance of any traffic cameras where the accident took place
This list contains just some of the things your attorney will need time to do. However, it gives an idea of what needs to be done, and of course, your legal representative will update you on any developments that can happen in your case. Upon learning the details of your case, your attorney can complete an investigation and present a case for compensation, which could help pay for:
- Medical costs (present and future)
- Lost income (present and future)
- Property damage
- Repairs (you might have to repair or replace your car)
Your attorney can also advise you on how to accurately calculate noneconomic damages, which could include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of companionship, loss of consortium
There is the possibility that the liable party’s insurance company could present you with a settlement. You can have your lawyer review it before accepting or rejecting it. Your attorney will advise you of your options, but keep in mind that insurance companies are known to offer settlements that fall short of meeting a person’s needs.
An attorney can negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement. If it is not attainable, then your attorney could move forward with a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 223-5115
Wisconsin’s Statute of Limitations
If you have decided to hire an attorney and pursue legal action in your car accident, you have a limited time to do so under Wisconsin’s statute of limitations. As outlined in Wis. Stat. 893.54, you have within three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit with the state’s civil court system.
If a loved one died in the car accident, family members or a representative of the decedent might also sue for wrongful death. The same three-year deadline applies to that legal action as well. If you miss this deadline, you risk forfeiting your right to pursue legal action to hold the liable party responsible for your accident.
If you are seeking to file a lawsuit over damage to your vehicle or other property, you may do so within three years of the date of the car accident, as outlined in Wis. Stat. 893.52. If you have any questions about the statute of limitations in Wisconsin, you can ask your attorney for further guidance.
A Wisconsin car accident lawyer can ensure that you file your action on time within the deadlines for each of these scenarios. An attorney can also negotiate with insurers on your behalf, which can take time. While three years sounds like a long time, your lawyer will need time to build your case (800) 223-5115.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today for a Free Case Review
We understand that a car accident is an unpleasant experience to endure. The physical and mental pain of such an event can linger long after the accident, and the fact that another person’s negligence brought pain and stress upon you only adds to the financial and emotional burden you have had to endure.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you pursue financial awards that can aid in your recovery. We want to help you get back what your life was before your accident. Give our legal team a call today at (800) 223-5115 to schedule your free case evaluation.
Call or text (800) 223-5115 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form