“Focus on healing and we will take care of everything on the legal side”
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Navigating the aftermath of a serious car accident can be overwhelming. Victims often underestimate how profoundly their injuries might affect their long-term health and well-being.
Our dedicated Madison car accident attorneys ensure that the client’s awards include all injury-related losses. That includes both financial losses and non-economic damages, which many don’t realize qualify for compensation.
Our Madison personal injury lawyers know the legal system well, especially personal injury law firm and insurance policies. Our understanding of Madison’s laws helps us get you the best compensation for your injuries quickly and effectively. We build strong cases that demonstrate who is responsible and how injuries affect our clients’ lives.
Recent wins for clients include:
Car accidents are an ongoing issue for drivers in Madison. The city and its surrounding regions accumulate thousands of car crash related injuries, often due to careless driving.
For example, recent data shows that distracted driving contributes to 40% of injury-related crashes in Dane County. This is higher than the statewide average of 36%, according to WisDOT data.
While car accident injuries range in severity, the challenges are often the same. Accident victims find themselves:
Our Madison car accident attorneys at Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm understand that car accidents can be complex. We strive to take on the heavy lifting so our clients don’t have to.
Cited car accident statistics are from WisDOT and Wisc.edu partners.
Car accident settlements can take anywhere from several months to a few years. Cases with straightforward liability and minor injuries often resolve quickly. However, those involving severe injuries, disputes, or litigation may take much longer. The car accident settlement timeline depends on factors like medical treatment, negotiations, and court schedules.
Right after an accident, prioritize moving to safety and checking for injuries. Call 911 to report the accident. Let emergency service workers know if there are injuries.
Even minor accidents should be reported to the police. A police report is crucial for insurance claims and legal matters.
If law enforcement is present, they might complete a crash report for you. Remember, any crash causing injury or $1,000+ in property damage must be reported as outlined in Wisconsin Statutes. 346.70(1).
Not all car accidents involve two private drivers — if you were hurt while riding with Uber, Lyft, or another service, the path to compensation can look very different. Our Madison rideshare accident lawyers understand the unique insurance complexities these cases involve and are here to help you pursue the full recovery you deserve.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTATION
You should collect your own evidence by documenting the accident. That includes taking photos of the scene, the vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. It is also crucial to exchange information with other drivers involved, including:
Promptly seek medical attention, even if you feel fine, as some injuries might not appear right away. Emergency rooms have the tools to give accurate diagnoses and needed care. This also ensures you get the right medical attention and creates a record of any injuries from the accident.
Madison car accident victims have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. This includes both economic damages, like medical expenses and lost wages. It also includes non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
To secure compensation, it’s crucial to prove the extent of these damages and the fault of the other party. In Madison, you have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. However, your actions immediately following the accident can significantly impact the success of your claim.
Madison uses Wisconsin’s fault-based system for car accidents. This liability falls to the driver who caused the accident, and that person may be financially responsible. Under Wisconsin’s comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages if you were partly at fault, as long as your responsibility is “50% or less.”
When it comes to insurance companies, choose your words carefully. Also, be wary of quick settlement offers and requests for recorded statements.
Here’s what you need to know about liability insurance and the possibility of punitive damages in Madison.
LIABILITY INSURANCE AND UNINSURED MOTORISTS
Liability insurance is the most common type of insurance involved in car accident injury claims. Depending on the at-fault party’s insurance, you might need to get compensation from different insurance companies.
In Wisconsin, you must have liability insurance. Driving without it can lead to serious fines. If the person at fault does not have insurance, you may need to fill out forms with the DMV. You might also have to seek compensation through your insurance or other options.
PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN WISCONSIN
Reckless or malicious driving can result in punitive damages awarded to the plaintiff. These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. Drunk driving cases sometimes include punitive damages, for example. In Wisconsin, punitive damages are capped at twice the amount of compensatory damages or $200,000, whichever is greater.
Victims of car accidents can experience a wide range of injuries, each carrying its own set of challenges.
At Pemberton, we focus on building a strong case to prove liability and collect damages after a car accident. Our team of Madison personal injury lawyers is ready to assist you at every stage to ensure you receive the highest possible compensation. Reach out to us for a complimentary consultation.
Insurance companies profit when you lose. Every claim they deny, every settlement they lowball, every injured person they convince to accept less—that’s money in their pocket. And they’re very good at what they do.
At Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, we’ve made it our mission to take on the insurance companies that put profits over people. We know every underhanded tactic they’ll use to cheat you out of fair compensation, and we’re prepared to fight fire with fire. When insurance adjusters see us coming, they know they’re in for a real battle. You didn’t ask to be injured.
You didn’t ask to fight a billion-dollar corporation. But now that you’re here, you deserve lawyers who will go to war for you. We don’t settle for less than full compensation, we don’t back down from tough fights, and we don’t let insurance companies bully our clients. PERIOD.
Life following a serious injury can bring intense emotions and pain. Accident victims often hope to get their lives back on track, only to be held back by the demands involved with personal injury claims. This is especially the case for individuals who become hospitalized. Wherever you are in the process, we’d be glad to help.
Our injury lawyers in Wisconsin step up to represent you. At Pemberton, we provide this advocacy at every step in the injury claims process so you can be on your way to feeling like yourself again.
Contact our Wisconsin personal injury attorneys at (608) 737-3498 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys. We will create a plan together to help you protect your rights and get you back to your life.
“If you ever need an attorney, he would be the first one I recommend”
“Focus on healing and we will take care of everything on the legal side”
“If you ever need an attorney, he would be the first one I recommend”