Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyer: Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable After A Car Crash
Car accidents cause problems that few people ever see coming. Suddenly, you may need major repairs or a new car. Your injuries may also require ongoing medical treatment and prevent you from being able to work and earn income. All of this new weight on your shoulders may come with anxiety and depression. What do you do?
At Lindner Law, LLC, our experienced Milwaukee car accident attorneys understand those problems. For decades we have delivered custom-tailored legal solutions for people whose lives were upended by car wrecks, no matter what the extent of their damages were. No case is too small or too big. We will promise to devote the same amount of our time and expertise to the routine rear-end car accident case as we do to a serious crash involving wrongful death.
What You Can Expect When Working With Our Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyers: Our VIP Guarantee
We believe you deserve VIP treatment. That means:
- First, we will address your immediate needs: We will handle your auto damage claim for no cost, including helping you find a rental vehicle while your claim is pending. We also work with health care insurers and providers to make sure that you get the treatment you need and your bills get paid.
- At the same time, we will thoroughly investigate your crash: We will immediately put our investigators on your case and collect evidence before it deteriorates or gets lost or destroyed. This evidence may include crash scene details, photos, video, black box data, cellphone records, chemical test results and witness statements.
- We will carefully prepare your claim: We will work with experts to analyze and evaluate your auto accident insurance claim. We will prepare a comprehensive case that seeks maximum compensation for all damages you have suffered, including past and future medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering and more.
- We will fight for every dollar you deserve: Whether we are at the negotiation table or in the courtroom, we will aggressively pursue full compensation for you. We always prepare cases to win at trial, which typically helps us secure funds for our clients through settlements.
- Throughout your case, we will communicate with you: We won’t keep you in the dark about what’s going on with your claim. We will consult with you at every stage, and we will always be available to address your questions.
Our No-Cost, No-Fee, VIP Guarantee: If you are not satisfied with our legal services within the first 30 days after you start to work with us on your car accident claim, you may request your file and go elsewhere – no charge, and no questions asked.
Suffered A Car Accident In Milwaukee?
Contact Lindner Law, LLC Today, Your Milwaukee Car Crash Advocate!
We’ve Recovered Millions For Car Accident Victims
Case Result:
$1.438 Million Settlement – Motor Vehicle Crash
Plaintiff ejected; suffered traumatic brain injury.
Case Result:
$700,000 Settlement – North Carolina
Snowplow crashes into hotel shuttle van as Wisconsinite is being transported to airport.
Case Result:
$550,000 Settlement – Auto Crash
Client with multiple prior shoulder surgeries and preexisting conditions fully compensated for aggravated injuries.
Case Result:
$510,000 Settlement – Right Ankle/Foot Injury
Defendant makes negligent left turn on rural highway in Jackson County
Case Result:
$510,000 Settlement – Motor Vehicle Crash
St. Croix County plaintiff has spleen removed to stop a life threatening hemorrhage
What To Do After A Car Accident In Milwaukee
Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful and confusing experience. Knowing the right steps to take immediately after a crash can help protect your rights and improve your chances of securing fair compensation.
- Check for injuries and seek medical help (Call 911)
- Move to safety, if possible, move vehicles out of traffic to avoid further accidents
- Call the police to help ensure there is an official record. A police report can be crucial in insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Collect contact, insurance and vehicle details from the other driver(s). Also, get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, license plates and any visible injuries.
- Be polite, but do not apologize or admit responsibility, as this could be used against you later.
- Seek medical attention as some injuries, like whiplash, may not appear immediately. A medical evaluation can document any accident-related injuries.
- Notify your insurance company, but be cautious about recording statements before consulting an attorney.
- Consult a car accident attorney to help navigate complex claims, negotiate with insurance companies and ensure you receive fair compensation.
These steps can help strengthen your case and avoid costly mistakes that may harm your claim.
Wisconsin’s Comparative Negligence Law
If you are involved in a car accident in Wisconsin, understanding the state’s liability laws is essential. Wisconsin follows an at-fault system, meaning the driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages. Additionally, Wisconsin adheres to a comparative negligence rule, which can impact how compensation is awarded.
Wisconsin uses a 51% comparative negligence rule, meaning you can only recover damages if you are less than 51% at fault. If you are found partially responsible, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, suppose you are in an accident and are found to be 20% at fault while the other driver is 80% responsible. If your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $80,000 (after a 20% reduction). However, if you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. Our experienced car accident attorney can help ensure you are not unfairly blamed for an accident.
Wisconsin Damage Limits And Statute Of Limitations
Understanding Wisconsin’s damage limits and statute of limitations can help you understand your legal rights and avoid missing deadlines that could prevent you from recovering compensation.
In most car accident cases, Wisconsin does not impose general caps on compensatory damages (economic and noneconomic). However, certain limits apply:
- Punitive damages, meant to punish egregious wrongdoing, are capped at $200,000 or twice the compensatory damages, whichever is greater.
- Claims against government entities have a damage cap of $250,000 per claimant.
The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Wisconsin:
- Personal injury claims must be filed within three years from the accident date.
- Property damage claims also have a three-year limit.
- Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years.
Failing to file within the statute of limitations means losing the right to pursue compensation. Acting promptly can help ensure your case is handled effectively and that critical evidence is preserved.
Fighting The Insurance Company
Insurance companies often prioritize their bottom line over paying out fair claims. Knowing how to handle negotiations and avoid common mistakes can significantly impact the outcome of your case. The insurance settlement process includes:
- Initial settlement offers: After you file a claim, the insurance company may offer a low initial settlement, hoping you accept quickly.
- Negotiation begins: If the offer is inadequate, your attorney will negotiate for a fair amount, leveraging evidence like medical records, accident reports and expert testimony.
- Filing a lawsuit: If negotiations stall, your attorney may file a lawsuit to push for better compensation.
- Discovery and trial: If the case proceeds to court, both sides gather evidence and present arguments before a judge or jury.
Working with an attorney at this stage is crucial as it helps ensure you get the best possible offer. When dealing with insurance companies, avoid the following pitfalls:
- Giving a recorded statement without legal representation: Insurers may twist your words to minimize your claim. Always consult an attorney before providing statements.
- Accepting the first offer: Initial offers are often much lower than you deserve.
- Delaying medical treatment: Gaps in medical treatment can be used against you to argue that your injuries are not serious.
- Posting on social media: Insurers monitor social media; posts about daily activities can be used to dispute your injury claims.
- Failing to hire an attorney: Insurance companies have experienced lawyers, and having your attorney levels the playing field.
Being cautious and prepared can protect you from insurance companies’ tactics to minimize payouts. Our skilled car accident lawyers in Milwaukee can advocate for you and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Do Our Milwaukee Attorneys Approach Auto Accident Claims?
Our attorneys have experience handling many types of auto accident claims statewide, including:
- Truck wrecks
- Motorcycle collisions
- Bike accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Passenger injuries
- Rear-end accidents
- Teen driver accidents
Liability
We gather and examine all available evidence. We also consult with experts in motor vehicle accident reconstruction, engineering and other fields. We use that evidence to determine the cause of the crash as well as every party who should be held accountable for the losses that each of our clients has suffered in a car accident through no fault of their own.
Damages
Our car accident lawyers collect and review medical records, receipts of other accident-related expenses, work and income records and statements from friends and family members in order to determine the physical, emotional and financial impact of an auto accident on our clients’ lives. We also consult with doctors, nurses, life care planners and other medical experts to determine our clients’ future medical needs and the costs of meeting those needs.
By carefully preparing claims, we work from a position of strength when we negotiate with insurance companies or argue a case in court. As a result, we reach settlements for most car accident cases that our law firm handles. However, we never rush through a case or advise a client to accept a settlement that fails to fairly compensate them. Our highly skilled trial lawyers are always ready to go to court for our clients.
Fight Back After A Car Accident – Call Our Skilled Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyers Today!
Addressing Frequently Asked Questions
The aftermath of any accident can be confusing and overwhelming. At Lindner Law, LLC, our experienced car accident attorneys can relieve your stress. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about motor vehicle accidents.
What compensation can you recover after a crash?
Our attorneys know how a Milwaukee car accident can cause catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, spinal cord injury, burns, fractures, scarring and disfigurement. Victims may suffer permanent disabilities that leave them unable to work or enjoy life as they did before.
Our staff features investigators, property damage specialists, paralegals, legal secretaries and other personnel. They all work toward pursuing maximum compensation for the losses our clients have suffered. We know that compensation will play a big role for them as they cope with their injuries and move on with their lives.
In a claim, our car accident lawyers may pursue damages that include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income, including bonuses, fringe benefits and vacation pay
- Diminished future income due to a reduced earning ability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of a spouse’s services and companionship
- Punitive damages (if appropriate)
- Wrongful death damages (if a client’s loved one died in a crash)
To recover maximum compensation for our clients, we identify all liable parties and all available sources of compensation, including another party’s insurance coverage and, in some cases, our clients’ own insurance policies.
Who is liable if you have been hit by a truck?
The contractual relationships between over-the-road truckers, the companies for which they haul goods, and the owners of the tractors and trailers are complicated. If you are hit by a truck driver who is employed by a company, the driver, the company, and the company’s insurer are all potentially liable. However, many drivers act as independent contractors. They may or may not have their own individual insurance.
Do I need to hire an attorney after a truck accident?
Truck companies have strong legal teams that are experienced at decreasing the relative degree of fault of their drivers. You need a skilled truck accident attorney who can investigate the complex factors involved in your crash, gather key evidence from the truck’s black box and advocate on your behalf. A truck’s black box contains data about the vehicle’s trip leading up to the crash. Trucking companies may try to recover and delete this information if you do not have an attorney who can step in and request access to this valuable data.
Accidents involving trucks can easily result in severe injuries due to their size. Our lawyers can help you pursue maximum compensation to cover your medical costs and any necessary long-term care.
Who is liable if I am in a rideshare accident?
Uber and Lyft require all their drivers to purchase at least the minimum insurance required by their state of residence. If the rideshare driver had their app on at the time of the crash and was in the process of picking up or dropping off a rider, Uber or Lyft might be liable for the accident damages. If the driver was not on duty, their personal insurance company may be required to pay damages. Our legal team will thoroughly investigate the particulars of your accident involving the driver of a ridesharing service to determine fault and liability.
What happens if I am hit by an uninsured motorist?
While all Wisconsin motorists are required by law to carry insurance, some still fail to do so. If you are hit by an uninsured motorist, your personal insurance coverage will cover your damages up to the limits of your coverage. In Wisconsin, insurers must provide a minimum of $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident for any bodily injuries the driver or one of their passengers might suffer.
What are the leading causes of motorcycle accidents?
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle collisions include:
- Cars making left-hand turns (this accounts for more than 40% of motorcycle crashes)
- Drivers failing to see bikers due to their smaller size
- Distracted or drunk drivers
Are Wisconsin motorcyclists penalized for not wearing a helmet?
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after a car accident?
I don’t think I was injured that badly. Do I still need to see a doctor after a motor vehicle accident?
Yes. Regardless of how you feel immediately after a crash, you should always seek medical evaluation. Some severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not be apparent for days or even weeks after the accident.
Do not be concerned about the costs of seeking medical care. We can submit those costs to be covered under your personal injury claim.
Compassionate And Sound Personal Injury Representation
Our law firm handles cases in Milwaukee, Appleton and throughout Wisconsin. Contact us today for a free case review by calling our Milwaukee office at 414-488-6870 or our Appleton office at 920-335-1342 or toll-free at 888-217-1625. We charge no fee for our services unless we recover compensation for you.