Yes, passengers involved in serious car accidents can request compensation for their losses from insurance companies and liable parties. Milwaukee car accident lawyers can help victims find the evidence needed to prove that they’re entitled to compensation.
That evidence comes in handy whether you decide to move forward with an insurance claim or you choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Both claims can help you pay your medical bills, replace lost wages, and hold the driver of the vehicle that collided with yours responsible for your pain and suffering.
If you have questions about whether or not passengers are entitled to compensation after a car crash, make One Call…That‘s All, and schedule a free personal injury case consultation with our law firm.
How to Ask for Compensation After a Car Accident
Passengers in motor vehicles throughout Wisconsin are entitled to a duty of care from the driver of the car they‘re in, as well as every other driver on the road. If a passenger falls victim to a serious accident, that passenger has the right to file a car accident claim with a relevant insurance company.
Injured passengers can also exercise their right to pursue fair compensation in civil court. Pursuing a car accident claim through Wisconsin’s civil system won’t require injured passengers to present their cases to a judge and jury. It’s up to the acting party to decide whether they want to negotiate for support or go to trial.
You can discuss the pros and cons of insurance claims and car accident lawsuits with an experienced Milwaukee personal injury lawyer immediately after a collision. We can go through the relevant insurance policies and outline your right to support under applicable comparative negligence laws, all while demystifying the claims process.
For a free legal consultation, call (414) 276-6666
How to Value Your Car Accident Case
Passengers are entitled to settlement amounts that account for the value of the economic and non-economic losses they endured due to a liable party’s negligence. When determining the value of your case, our legal team will account for the cost of their:
- Medical bills, including the cost of physical therapy, pain management, and essential surgeries.
- Future medical treatments related to their car accident injuries.
- Lost wages or workplace benefits.
- Property damage and restoration fees.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Reduced quality of life.
If a family loses a loved one to a car accident, that family can work with our team to pursue wrongful death damages from an insurer or through Wisconsin’s civil system.
How to Prevent Insurance Companies From Undervaluing Your Losses
Unfortunately, most insurers will argue that a liable party’s insurance policies don’t have to provide car accident victims with comprehensive financial support. Insurance adjusters want to cut corners and offer you as little aid as possible to protect their bottom line.
If you want to prevent an adjuster from using bad faith tactics to minimize your settlement amounts, make sure you have a personal injury attorney with you when the time comes to negotiate for support.
We can argue that passengers are entitled to compensation after a car accident and provide an insurer with evidence to back our position. We can also break down a liable party’s insurance coverage to emphasize your right to support under an applicable policy. All the while, we preserve your right to go to trial.
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Understanding Wisconsin’s Statute of Limitations
In Wisconsin, accident victims, including passengers, have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party liable for their losses (Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m)). However, other factors can impact this time limit, including the age of the victim, the nature of the collision, and the parties involved in the accident.
That is why it is important to review these factors right away by a proven Wisconsin personal injury law firm. The statute of limitations clock begins ticking from the date of the accident. If you’ve suffered an injury due to a car accident, you must file your lawsuit within three years of your crash.
You must also keep in mind, however, that there are other mandatory filing requirements for other personal injury claims. For instance, claims involving a public entity such as a county, city, or other municipality frequently have mandatory shorter and stricter time and notice requirements.
Exceptions to the Rule
While the three-year rule generally applies, Wisconsin law does provide certain exceptions. For instance, if the injured party remains mentally ill or under 18 years of age at the time of the accident, the three-year period only begins once they regain mental competency or reach 18.
Additionally, in cases where the at-fault party leaves the state before a lawsuit gets initiated, the time they spend outside Wisconsin does not count towards the three-year limit.
These specific situations underline the necessity of consulting an experienced car accident lawyer in Milwaukee to break down the intricacies of the Wisconsin statute of limitations.
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Why Timing Matters
Filing your lawsuit well within the statutory timeframe not only complies with the law but also could enhance the strength of your case.
Often, evidence remains fresher, memories of the incident are more vivid, and witnesses are more easily accessible. Lost evidence and diminished recollections can severely hamper your chances of obtaining favorable compensation.
It’s Time to Seek Legal Help
Don’t go up against insurance companies or negligent drivers alone after a car crash. If you need help overcoming your medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering, you need to turn to professionals.
A Milwaukee personal injury attorney at Gruber Law Offices can break down your right to auto accident compensation after a collision. We can go on to represent you in conversations with auto insurance adjusters, liable parties, and other legal entities.
That support can make all the difference as you fight to maximize your right to car accident compensation. Book a free case consultation with our staff today to learn more about how Wisconsin law entitles passengers to accident compensation after a car accident.
Call or text (414) 276-6666 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
