Car Accident Attorneys in Madison, WI Working Hard to Protect their Client’s Rights

If you have never been involved in a car accident, you may be part of a rare group of individuals. Sometimes, they result in minor damages or arriving at your destination a little later than planned, which can feel like minor inconveniences. More often, however, severe injuries or damages exist, and now you are left to deal with the aftermath of the accident and mounting bills you didn’t plan on paying for.

At our office, we have helped multiple clients over the years to determine the facts of their accident, who was negligent, and how to pursue compensation if they are eligible. You don’t have to navigate an accident alone. Call our office today at (608) 448-6242 to determine how we can best assist you in protecting your rights moving forward.

What Types of Compensation are Available To Me?

Two categories of compensation can be pursued after a car accident in Wisconsin. The first is Specific Damages, and the second is General Damages.

Specific Damages include things that you can quantify and document. For medical bills, for example, you can provide tangible evidence that you are incurring these bills. Lost wages is another common item in this category. If injuries are sustained, the client will likely have missed work in order to attend medical appointments, physical therapy, and more. Property damages include the costs to repair the vehicle or the damaged property during the accident. Clients can also pursue damages for loss of the damaged property. If you have been in an accident and can no longer use your vehicle to get to work, the cost of a rental car or other means to get to work can also be compensated. The client also has the opportunity to provide sufficient evidence that their earning capacity has been affected, which can lead to compensation for that lost earning capabilities through the age of retirement.

General Damages include pain and suffering incurred by the victim. This category commonly includes mental anguish, physical pain impairment, or disfigurement. The loss of companionship is common when dealing with wrongful death cases. Diminished quality of life consists of the victim being less able to engage in activities they once loved before the accident. This category can be a little more challenging to prove, but an experienced Madison car accident attorney can assist you in providing sufficient evidence of general damages.

Can I Pursue Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are designed to penalize the offender and inhibit the chances of them or others repeating the same behavior that led to the accident. Punitive damages are allowed in Wisconsin, with exceptions and caps on how much compensation can be pursued. These can change, so speaking with a personal injury attorney who is well-versed in compensation can help you to understand what you are eligible for.

What is the Statute of Limitations in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, often the parties must file a lawsuit for compensation three years from the accident date. There are exceptions, such as with victims with a disability or mental illness. Also, minors have a different statute in that they have until two years after their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit, no matter their age at the time of the accident. The statute of limitations is much shorter if your claim is against a governmental entity. In these cases you may have just 120 days to provide the city or county notice of your claim and 180 days to provide the state. To make sure your case is filed before the statute of limitation expires be sure to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney in Wisconsin.

What Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me With?

It is never easy to pick up the pieces after an accident. Chances are you are left with mounting medical and repair bills in addition to the time you miss out on income to handle the aftermath of the accident. This can be the perfect storm for financial and emotional distress. You have options, and you have rights. Experienced attorneys can help you to obtain the compensation you deserve so you can get back to life as you knew it before the accident.

You can initiate the process even while you are still healing or enduring medical treatment. Personal injury attorneys are well-versed in what it takes directly after an accident in order to support their clients. They can get to work on your case by gathering police and medical records, communicating with other parties and insurance companies, gathering witness statements or recreating the accident scene, and more. Contact our office today at (608) 448-6242 to learn more about how we can best assist you moving forward.