Hit by a car in Wisconsin: When to lawyer up Insurance companies offer larger settlements to law firms who win in court.
The scene plays out on the streets and highways around Milwaukee every day, with minor variations: The screech of tires on the asphalt, followed by the sickening thud of a car slamming into another car. Then come the sirens and the slow procession of vehicles as rubberneckers strain to get a look at the carnage.
If you’ve recently been hit by a car and found yourself on the side of the road trying to figure out what just happened, you’ve come to the right place. Around Milwaukee, and even around the country, the Milwaukee car accident lawyers and motorcycle accident lawyers of Warshafsky Law are well-known for aggressively pursuing the best interests of auto accident victims. No one will do more to ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries and lost time from work than Warshafsky Law.
First things first: document the accident
If at all possible, use your phone to take photos of the accident scene and the surrounding area. If there are skid marks on the road, get a photo. If a car pulls over to render assistance, get the name of the driver and a photo of their license plate. You may need an eyewitness to the accident.
Obviously, if you’re seriously injured you won’t be able to take photos. Don’t worry. Call Warshafsky Law and one of our accident investigators will photograph the accident scene and the cars—usually on the same day we get your call, in order to preserve as much evidence as possible.
See a doctor, even if you don’t think you need to
It may seem to you like you’re okay, but make an appointment with your doctor to get checked over anyway. Many injuries don’t become apparent until several days after the accident. The stiffness you’re feeling in your neck, for instance, maybe just tensed up muscles; but it could also indicate a far more serious problem with the vertebrae in your neck.
It’s important to have documentation of any injuries you sustained soon after the accident. If a spinal injury becomes apparent a month after the accident and there’s no record of you seeing a doctor after the accident, you can be accused of faking an injury. Don’t worry about the cost of your doctor appointment. The insurance company of the at-fault driver will be liable for this expense.
Hit by a car while riding a bicycle or motorcycle?
First, be glad you’re still alive. Bikes (of any kind) are no match for 3,500 lbs. of motor vehicle. Chances are you’ve sustained some serious injuries and are facing some equally serious medical bills. You need a law Milwaukee personal injury law firm willing to fight for your right to be fully compensated. You need Warshafsky Law.
Don’t settle for less: this Milwaukee personal injury law firm will take it to court
When you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you’re likely to receive a check from the insurance company of the driver who hit you. You may be tempted to endorse the check and head straight for your bank. Not so fast! This is what’s known as a settlement check—what they deem your injury is worth. And more often than not, it’s a fraction of what they should be reimbursing you.
If you sign the settlement check, you waive all rights to pursue an injury claim against the other party and his/her insurance company. Before you do anything with the check, schedule a free consultation with a Milwaukee personal injury attorney at Warshafsky Law. We’ll review the details of what happened, give you our opinion of the settlement offer and explain how a personal injury suit would proceed.
After an accident, you likely have medical bills coming in constantly, and you’ve probably lost time from work while recovering. Worried about what it’s going to cost to have a law firm represent you? Don’t be. With Warshafsky Law, you don’t pay a thing until your case is resolved and you’ve received your settlement check. And our No Win, No Fee guarantee ensures there is no financial risk to you whatsoever.
Are Wisconsin drivers getting worse?
If it seems like driving on Wisconsin roads is getting more dangerous all the time, you’re not just imagining it. Statistics for 2015 (the most recent year data was available at this writing) actually prove it.
According to the Department of Transportation’s annual report on car accidents and fatalities, Wisconsin drivers racked up more injuries and car accident fatalities in 2015 than in either of the preceding two years. Also of concern, the number of alcohol-related injuries and fatalities rose. Particularly disturbing: 5,491 alcohol-related crashes in 2015 versus 4,932 the preceding year.
Hundreds of times we have prepared cases like yours beyond the brink of trial. Facing unlimited liability AND an expensive jury trial, insurance companies fess up what your case is worth. They HATE when you choose Warshafsky. Insurance companies know: it IS about the money.
#1 The drunk
In 2015, drunk drivers racked up 190 fatalities and almost 2,900 injuries in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, drunks have an uncanny ability to survive horrific accidents while those they hit don’t.
#2 The texter
Unable to focus on anything without constantly texting friends with updates, the texter is one of the most dangerous drivers on the road. Surprisingly, they’re not all teens. OMG, is right.
#3 The speed racer
Fueled by a desperate need to show off, the speeder quickly gets in over his head and loses control of his vehicle, leaving a trail of burning rubber, broken glass and tragedy in his wake.
#4 The wrong-way-on-the-highway driver
The greater Milwaukee area has a disproportionately high number of drivers mistaking highway off-ramps for on-ramps. These geniuses also tend to forget to turn on their headlights at night.
What sets Warshafsky Law apart from other Milwaukee personal injury law firms?
When you’re injured in a car crash is when you suddenly start noticing all the commercials from law firms. Most of these firms talk about getting you a settlement check quickly. In the legal profession, they’re known as “sign and settle” law firms. They rarely ever go to the trouble of taking a case to court, so insurance companies know they get away with lowball settlement offers.
Unlike most of the other personal injury law firms in and around Milwaukee, Warshafsky Law built its reputation on a feisty willingness to take every case to trial. We have taken on the most difficult cases including those who have been injured while pregnant, suffered life-altering injuries and those who are burdened by medial debts. We prepare every case from day one as though it will end up in court. This makes insurance companies nervous. Very nervous. They know there’s no way of telling what a jury will decide. As we’ve proven time and time again, there’s a very real chance they’ll recommend an even larger award than the suit asks.
Insurance companies know a lowball settlement offer won’t fly with Warshafsky Law. So if they make an offer to settle your case, you can bet it’s a good one. The last thing they want is the prospect of an even bigger payout decided in court, along with the bad publicity that often follows.
Whether your case goes to trial or not, there’s one thing you can count on with Warshafsky Law: We stop at nothing to ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries, your lost time from work, and any ongoing therapy or treatment needed as a result of the accident. Whenever appropriate, we also seek punitive damages.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today
Warshafsky Law offers a free initial consultation to anyone injured in a car accident due to someone else’s fault. You’ll meet with a practicing attorney, not a paralegal. If you have a copy of the police report from your accident, bring it in…or try to get it before you come in. We’ll review the report and get your account of the accident, then let you know if you have a case or not.
Milwaukee’s Car Accident Lawyers & Personal Injury Attorneys
