While punitive damages are allowed in Wisconsin DUI accident cases, it’s up to a judge to determine whether punitive damages may be awarded.
Punitive damages are specifically designed to punish particularly reckless conduct and deter similar behavior. While you can work with a Milwaukee DUI accident lawyer to indicate that you’ve suffered unreasonable wrongs due to someone else’s behavior, you can’t request punitive damages in your initial DUI accident claim.
What Are Punitive Damages?
The Milwaukee car accident lawyers at Gruber Law Offices are here to help you financially recover from losses wrongfully sustained due to someone else’s negligence, careless behavior, or poor decisions. The settlement you receive after filing a personal injury claim may include punitive damages.
Wisconsin’s civil statutes note that victims of accidents may be eligible for punitive damages in the wake of intentional disregard for their personal well-being or malicious intent. Punitive damages are specifically designed to punish liable parties for their disregard and to discourage similar behavior from other parties in the future.
However, you do not have the right to include a request for punitive damages in the claim you file with Wisconsin’s civil justices. It is up to the judge to decide whether or not you stand to receive punitive damages. Likewise, punitive damages are typically considered only if a case proceeds to trial.
For a free legal consultation, call (414) 276-6666
Can You Ask for Punitive Damages When Pursuing a Wisconsin DUI Accident Case?
Our Milwaukee personal injury lawyers cannot include a request for punitive damages in the claim you file with Wisconsin’s civil courts, even though punitive damages are allowed in Wisconsin DUI cases. However, we can take steps to emphasize that you fell victim to another driver’s intentional disregard or malicious intent.
Doing so requires us to bring forward evidence indicating that a driver intentionally got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated, putting you and everyone else on the road in danger. The evidence we use to make these points may include witness statements, electronic data, video footage, and photos from before, after, and during your accident.
When Should You Talk to a Milwaukee DUI Accident Lawyer About Punitive Damages?
The sooner you can schedule a DUI accident case consultation with our experienced legal team, the better. The evidence you need to prove your right to a DUI case can disappear over time, as insurers step in and liable parties try to protect themselves from additional legal action.
Fortunately, you can book a free DUI accident case consultation today. Doing so does not obligate you to pursue a civil case against a liable party but rather allows you to discuss how you can financially recover from your losses.
You can discuss if you might qualify for punitive damages during a free case consultation with our team, but we can’t guarantee that you will receive them. It is up to a judge to determine if you qualify. If you do want to take your case to court, though, make sure you commit to and file a claim before Wisconsin’s statute of limitations (Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m)) expires.
We Don’t Ask for Upfront Payment When Taking Your DUI Accident Case
Our Milwaukee DUI accident lawyers do not ask for a retainer or a deposit before taking your case. We don’t send you bills while your case is in progress, or get paid at all until we win your case.
That financial availability makes it possible for everyone in need of support to secure legal representation in the wake of a DUI accident.
While our team does not tackle the criminal aspects of your recovery, our contingency fee agreement can make it easier for you to hold a drunk driver financially accountable for your medical care, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. You can book your free case consultation with our team today to learn more about our available services.
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What Other Damages Can You Recover After a DUI Accident?
While you can’t include punitive damages in your Wisconsin DUI accident case, you can include other economic and non-economic losses, as long as you have enough evidence to tie them to your crash. These losses may include:
- Your emergency room fees
- Any surgeries, physical therapy, pain management aids, and/or specialist care needed to treat your injuries
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages or lost workplace benefits
- Property damage and restorative efforts
You can work with our team to determine how to maximize your accident claim as we delve deeper into the logistics of your case.
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Let’s Maximize Your DUI Accident Settlement
Our Milwaukee-based law firm is proud to serve in-need communities throughout Wisconsin. We employ a team of over 130 legal professionals, all of whom want to make it easier for victims of serious accidents to recover from their losses.
We offer access to that highly-skilled team on a contingency fee basis, meaning that our services are available to everyone. Our team does not get paid unless we put money back into the hands of DUI accident victims.
Upon winning a victim’s case, our payment comes directly from that victim’s settlement. There is no money due to our team upfront. Are you ready to work with attorneys who can answer your questions, including whether or not punitive damages are allowed in your Wisconsin DUI accident case? Make One Call…That’s All, and schedule your free consultation now.
Call or text (414) 276-6666 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
