Auto Accident Injury in Milwaukee, WI

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Milwaukee? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Milwaukee, WI that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports a consistent rise in annual total crashes from 2014 to 2018 with 130,896 crashes on average. In 2019, the Badger State continued that trend, recording 145,288 car crashes whereby 551 individuals lost their lives in 511 fatal crashes.

Injuries were also common in traffic accidents in Wisconsin in 2019, with nearly 40,000 individuals suffering some type of injury on Wisconsin’s roadways. In addition, of the approximately 760 bicycle crashes, 675 bicyclists were injured. While speeding is a leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal accidents in Wisconsin, distracted, drowsy and impaired driving also often play roles in motor vehicle crashes in the state.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Traffic accident reports processed by the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) will usually be available within 14 days of the incident and accessible by case number, name, or date. In addition to police headquarters, requests for crash reports and their purchase can be made through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation or a third-party service.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The total cost of auto accident injuries and fatalities in Wisconsin in 2018 was calculated to be $828 million. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this figure includes $8 million in medical expenses and $820 million in work losses. In Milwaukee County, an individual loses their life or becomes injured in a crash every hour. You are more likely to be involved in a crash and/or hospitalized compared to statewide rates, leading to nearly a 25% greater expense for receiving medical care.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Wisconsin

Liability Laws for Milwaukee

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Wisconsin’s fault-based approach to car accident liability requires the responsible party or their insurer to pay for the damages from the crash. If you plan to file a lawsuit, though, the state’s comparative negligence statute typically requires you to be less to blame for the accident than other defendants. Furthermore, due to the shared fault law, if the victim shares any portion of the liability, the value of their claim will become reduced by a corresponding percentage.

Statute of Limitations in Milwaukee

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Wisconsin’s statute of limitations requires you to bring legal claims within three years of the date of your crash. However, if you need to sue a government entity, the window shortens to 120 days.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Milwaukee, WI

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Wisconsin!