A vehicle collision can turn your life upside down in an instant, bringing unexpected medical bills, lost income, and physical pain. If another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you have the right to seek full compensation for your losses.
From gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court, an experienced attorney ensures your case is handled thoroughly, and your best interests are prioritized every step of the way. At Schwaba Law Firm, our Green Bay car accident lawyers are ready to guide you through the process.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Green Bay
Wisconsin’s winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions, with snow, ice, and low visibility contributing to many collisions. Distracted driving also causes preventable accidents, as texting, navigation adjustments, and passenger interactions divert attention.
Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases injury severity, while impaired driving from alcohol or drugs compromises judgment and coordination. Each factor can affect liability and the ability to recover compensation.
Proving fault often requires gathering evidence such as cell phone records, witness statements, and accident documentation. Prompt action ensures your car accident lawyer Green Bay can protect your rights and pursue full recovery.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Green Bay
Your actions immediately following a collision can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation later. Wisconsin law requires drivers involved in accidents causing injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to report the incident to law enforcement. Failing to report your crash can complicate your claim and may result in legal penalties.
Document everything you can at the scene if your injuries permit. Take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the collision occur. These individuals can provide crucial testimony if the other driver disputes fault later.
Seek medical attention promptly, even if you feel your injuries are minor. Some serious conditions, including internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries, may not produce immediate symptoms. A medical professional can identify hidden injuries and create records linking your condition to the accident. Insurance companies often argue that delayed treatment indicates your injuries resulted from something other than the collision.
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before consulting with lawyers in Green Bay. These representatives work to protect their company’s financial interests, not yours. Statements you make can be taken out of context or used to minimize your claim. Politely decline to provide detailed accounts until you have received legal advice about your rights.
Types of Injuries & Damages You Can Recover
Car accidents produce a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor to permanently disabling. Whiplash affects the neck’s soft tissues when sudden acceleration or deceleration forces the head to snap forward and backward. This common injury can cause chronic pain and limited mobility that persists for months or years.
Head trauma represents one of the most serious categories of collision-related injuries. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can result in cognitive impairment, personality changes, and long-term disabilities. These injuries often require extensive treatment and may prevent you from returning to your previous employment.
Broken bones occur frequently in car crashes when occupants strike interior surfaces or when the forces of impact exceed what the skeletal system can withstand. Fractures may require surgery, physical therapy, and extended recovery periods. Some bone injuries never heal completely, leaving permanent limitations.
Wisconsin law allows injured parties to seek compensation for multiple categories of damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, both current and future, that result from your injuries. Lost wages compensate you for income you could not earn during recovery. Property damage covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
Non-economic damages address the intangible ways a collision affects your life. Pain and suffering compensation acknowledges the physical discomfort you endure. Loss of enjoyment of life damages recognize that injuries may prevent you from participating in activities you previously found meaningful. Emotional distress compensation accounts for psychological trauma resulting from the accident.
Liability, Insurance & Legal Challenges in Green Bay
Determining fault in a vehicle collision involves reviewing evidence and applying Wisconsin traffic laws. Police reports, witness statements, photographs, and physical evidence help establish negligence, and multiple parties may share responsibility.
Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence reduces compensation proportionally if you are partially at fault, and bars recovery if you are 51 percent or more responsible. Insurance companies often dispute lawyer accident claims or push quick settlements that fail to cover losses.
Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage can provide additional protection when negligent drivers lack sufficient insurance. This ensures you have recourse for medical bills, lost income, and property damage.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Wisconsin
Wisconsin law sets strict deadlines for personal injury lawsuits, generally allowing three years from the accident date to file a claim. Missing this period usually means losing the right to pursue compensation.
Certain situations can change when the clock starts, such as delayed injury discovery or cases involving government vehicles, which require notice within shorter timeframes. Acting quickly protects your interests and preserves evidence, as witnesses’ memories fade and physical evidence may be lost. Filing promptly allows a car wreck attorney Green Bay to collect documentation while it remains accurate and accessible.
How a Green Bay Car Accident Lawyer Helps You
Legal representation can change the outcome of your claim. A Green Bay car accident lawyer investigates accidents to establish liability and document damages, obtaining reports, interviewing witnesses, consulting medical professionals, and analyzing financial records.
They handle negotiations with insurance companies, communicating with adjusters and preparing demand packages that demonstrate liability and losses. Attorneys ensure all procedural requirements are met, including filing court documents and responding to discovery requests. When settlements are insufficient, they prepare cases for trial, organizing witnesses, exhibits, and arguments, which often encourages insurers to offer fair compensation while you focus on recovery.
Contact Schwaba Law Firm today by calling 855-758-0618 or online to discuss your Green Bay car accident case. Our firm has recovered substantial compensation for clients throughout Wisconsin, and we stand ready to fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
