What We Have Done for Car Accident Victims
At Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Eau Claire car accident lawyers have considerable experience dealing with car accident claims in Eau Claire and the challenges they represent.
One of our clients struggled to get the compensation she needed from the man who caused her car accident. On examination, we proved that he had his phone out, texting and driving, at the time of the accident. Once we identified this behavior, the woman received the compensation she needed, including both compensation for damages to her vehicle and compensation for her medical expenses.
In another car accident claim, we worked with the victims of a rollover car accident. The driver that caused the accident fled the scene, so the victims turned to their own insurance to seek the compensation they needed. Not only did we help them receive the maximum compensation from their insurance company, we also helped find a policy change that noted that the victims had higher coverage limits at the time of the accident than they did at the time of the settlement offer. We helped the victims recover the full compensation they deserved based on their coverage at the time of the accident.
While our past experience cannot guarantee the results you will ultimately receive in your car accident claim, a look at our past results can give you more confidence regarding your claim.
Types of Car Accidents in Eau Claire
Car accidents can occur in a variety of ways. Sometimes, the type of car accident can clearly display who caused the accident: a driver plowing through a red light or stop sign to cause a T-bone accident, for example. Others may prove more difficult to evaluate.
Common types of car accidents include:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Big truck accidents
- T-bone collisions
- Sideswipe collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
Talk to an attorney about what evidence you may need or how you can prove that the other driver caused your accident.
Types of Eau Claire Car Accident Injuries and Their Costs
Car accident injuries can quickly lead to immense medical bills, especially if you suffer injuries that can leave you with long-term medical needs.
Consider these common injuries and their costs:
- Traumatic brain injury average cost: As much as $450,000 to care for patients with severe TBI
- Spinal cord injuries average cost: As much as $1 million or more in the first year; annually, as much as $184,000, for patients with high tetraplegia
- Amputations average cost: More than $500,000 over a lifetime
- Broken bones: If they require surgical treatment, broken bones can cost as much as $35,000 to fix
The Challenges of Driving in Eau Claire
Eau Claire presents unique challenges for drivers in the area. The I-95 corridor represents a big trucking artery. I-35 has the same high volume of traffic and an immense number of big trucks moving through. These accidents endanger drivers and passengers from communities all over Wisconsin and Minnesota, including those in the Eau Claire area. In addition, reckless driving in the snow and ice that blankets Eau Claire, making the roads slick and reducing visibility here as truckers rush to meet their delivery times and other drivers hurry to get to their destinations, can add to the potential for serious injuries.
Our goal at Nicolet Law is to take those dangerous drivers off the road and make the area safer for our community.
Eau Claire Car Accident Statistics
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Source: University of Wisconsin
Eau Claire Car Accident FAQs
1. What damages can I recover after a car accident in Eau Claire?
The damages you can recover after a car accident may depend on a variety of factors, including the insurance policy that covers the liable driver.
However, in general, after an Eau Claire car accident you can recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, or the cost of medical care relating to your injuries from the car accident
- Lost wages, including any wages missed due to follow-up appointments
- Pain and suffering
2. How long do I have to file an Eau Claire car accident claim?
According to Wisconsin law, you have three years following a car accident to file a car accident claim in Eau Claire. However, attorneys can often help identify exceptions that may extend the statute of limitations and give you more time to seek the compensation you deserve. Contact an attorney as soon after your accident as possible to learn more about your right to compensation.
3. What should I do to protect myself after an Eau Claire car accident?
After a car accident, even one in which you think you did not suffer serious injuries, seek medical attention immediately. Often, accident victims discover weeks or even months after the accident that they suffered more serious injuries than they initially thought, which can make it more difficult to pursue a car accident claim.
Make sure you report the accident. In some cases, the other driver may specifically ask you not to report it. The driver may not want the accident on his record or to put it through his insurance. Failure to report the accident, however, can make it more difficult to pursue the compensation you deserve. Stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive, unless you must leave to seek emergency medical care.
Finally, contact an attorney as soon after your accident as possible. While that may not mean that you need to call an attorney from the emergency room, it does mean you should begin the claim process soon after your accident. The sooner you call an attorney, the sooner that attorney can begin working on your behalf, from collecting evidence to providing vital advice about the next steps in your claim.
4. Should I take the insurance company’s settlement offer after an Eau Claire car accident?
Talk to an experienced Eau Claire personal injury attorney before accepting a settlement offer. Often, insurance companies will try to get you to accept a low settlement by issuing an offer soon after your accident. That offer rarely reflects your actual expenses and losses. If you take it, you may not have the funds you need to pay your medical bills and rebuild your life. Contact the Eau Claire car accident attorneys at Nicolet Law who can help you understand how much compensation you really deserve, including when to continue negotiating after a low settlement offer.
Eau Claire Office
402 Graham Ave.
Suite 305
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: 715-226-6149