Green Bay Car Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Green Bay, you may be eligible for financial compensation. This may include compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages from missing work. At the law offices of Sigman, Janssen, Sewall, Pitz & Burkham, we have been providing legal counsel to injury victims throughout Wisconsin for many years and helped to recover millions in compensation – including a $2 million settlement obtained by attorney James Pitz for a young adult involved in an accident with a negligent driver who was under the influence of drugs and an $850,000 settlement for a client that suffered multiple orthopedic and internal injuries from an intersection car crash.

We may be able to help you, too. There are no attorney’s fees or costs unless we are able to recover compensation on your behalf.

Call us today at (877) 888-5201.

Do I Have a Car Accident Case?

The driver who caused the car accident may be financially responsible for the victim’s damages. It is the responsibility of the plaintiff to prove the other driver was negligent and at fault for the crash.

The experienced auto accident attorneys at our firm are ready to review the details of your collision to help determine if negligence may have occurred. There are many examples of negligence we can look for, including

  • Drinking and driving
  • Texting while driving
  • Speeding
  • Disobeying right-of-way laws
  • Failing to stay in a lane
  • Going the wrong way
  • Driving while drowsy

There are many other possible examples of negligence. However, another driver’s actions are not considered negligent unless four elements can be proven, including:

  • Duty of care – Our Green Bay car accident lawyers can review your accident to determine if the other driver had a legal duty to operate his or her vehicle the way a reasonable person would to try to keep others on the road safe.
  • Breach of duty of care – There must be evidence the at-fault party did not uphold a specific duty of care.
  • Link to injuries – You must show there is a link between the breached duty of care and you suffering injuries.
  • Existence of damages – Accident victims must show their injuries caused financial damages, such as expenses for medical treatment and repair bills for their vehicles.

If you have a case, our Green Bay car accident lawyers are prepared to launch a thorough investigation to gather evidence of these four elements. We have many years of combined experience assisting accident victims in Wisconsin. Partner James Pitz is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

If you were injured in any type of car accident in Green Bay, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your possible legal options.

Give us a call at (877) 888-5201 to learn more.

What if I Have Partial Fault for the Accident?

Wisconsin has a comparative negligence law that says victims can make a claim if the at-fault party is found to be equally or more at fault for the accident. You will not be eligible to recover damages if you are found to be more at fault than the other driver.

You can discuss how this law may apply to your potential case in a free case evaluation. Our attorneys have detailed knowledge of this law. If we take your case, we can determine your possible percentage of fault.

You can learn more by contacting us today.

Deadlines to Know After a Car Accident Injury

Generally, the deadline for a car accident lawsuit is three years from the date of the crash. This is stated in Wisconsin Statutes 893.54. If you file a lawsuit after this deadline passes it may be thrown out of court.

However, there are exceptions to this rule for certain situations. Wisconsin has something called the “Discovery Rule” that may allow cases to be filed after the three years have passed. If the injury victim is a minor, the statute of limitations will be extended to the victim’s 20th birthday.

There is also an exception to the three-year statute of limitations for cases involving government vehicles. Wisconsin law says you need to file a notice of claim within just 120 days of the crash.

The trusted lawyers at Sigman, Janssen, Sewall, Pitz & Burkham can determine the deadlines that may apply to your claim. If you have any questions you can call us at (877) 888-5201 to discuss possible legal options in your situation.

Compensation You May be Eligible to Receive

This is often one of the first questions we are asked when accident victims meet with us. You may be able to pursue economic and non-economic damages. The damages you can pursue, and their value, depend on the specifics of your case. If our Green Bay car accident lawyers take your case, we can discuss the compensation you may be eligible for.

What Are Economic Damages?

Any damages that have a defined monetary value are generally considered economic damages.

One of the most common examples of economic damages is medical expenses. These are the costs of treating your injuries, including meeting with doctors, having surgery, undergoing tests, and various other expenses. You may be eligible for compensation for all past, current and future medical bills.

Other forms of economic damages may include:

  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Property damage

What Are Non-Economic Damages?

These are forms of compensation that do not have a specific monetary value. These are damages related to the physical and emotional effects of your injuries. This might include:

  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Lost enjoyment of life

There is no cap on economic or non-economic damages in Wisconsin. This means your attorney can pursue the full value of your damages.

You can contact our firm to discuss compensation you could be eligible for. The consultation is free and there is no obligation on you to take legal action.

Steps to Take That May Strengthen Your Case

The minutes and hours after an accident are often confusing and stressful. While you can seek representation from an attorney at Sigman, Janssen, Sewall, Pitz & Burkham to handle the investigation, there are steps you can take to try to protect your potential legal claim.

Get Treatment

It is important to get medical treatment right away before your injuries get worse. Seeking treatment quickly helps to connect your injuries to the accident. Be sure you tell the doctor who treats you how you were injured so he or she will note it in your medical records. You should report all symptoms you are experiencing. You do not want an injury to be overlooked.

File a Police Report

State law says you must call the police and stay at the accident scene until they arrive if the crash caused anything listed below:

  • Death
  • Injuries
  • $1,000 or more in damage to individual property
  • $200 or more in damage to government property
  • Vehicle needing to be towed
  • Animal getting killed or injured

When you call 9-1-1, police and other first responders will be dispatched to the scene to assess what happened. The Green Bay Police Department will file a report on the accident that could be an important piece of evidence later on.

Collect Evidence at the Scene

If you have a case, our Green Bay car accident lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident. However, when you are at the scene, you can help us by gathering evidence, if your injuries allow. Take pictures or video of the scene to document the damage to both vehicles, your injuries and damage to the road. If you see any witnesses, talk to them to find out what they saw and ask them for contact information so your attorney can contact them later.

Contact an Attorney

Before you talk to the insurance company, we recommend that you speak to an attorney. At Sigman, Janssen, Sewall, Pitz & Burkham, we can handle filing a claim on your behalf.

Our Green Bay car accident lawyers are here to answer your questions about possible legal options after an accident.

Contact us today. Call (877) 888-5201.

What Are the Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin law requires all drivers to have minimum amounts of car insurance coverage, including:

  • $25,000 to cover the injury or death of one person
  • $50,000 for damages caused by the injury or death of more than one person in an accident
  • $10,000 to pay for property damage suffered by the victim of an accident you caused

Aside from liability coverage, drivers are also required to carry a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

If you were injured in an accident caused by another driver, his or her insurance coverage may provide compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and lost wages.

After an accident, if you have a valid claim, our attorneys are prepared to start the insurance claims process by filing an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company or your insurance company.

Insurance Compensation for Accidents with Uninsured Drivers

Failure to purchase the coverages listed above could result in a $500 fine and the loss of driving privileges. Unfortunately, people continue to drive without insurance.

If you were injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, and you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company.

However, even if the other driver has insurance, the value of your damages might be more than the amount of coverage in the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. This is why some drivers buy underinsured motorist coverage. Buying this coverage increases your amount of bodily injury protection for an accident with a driver who does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages.

Our Green Bay car accident lawyers can explain the insurance coverages that may apply to your claim. We can also deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, if you have a case.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form.

What Kinds of Car Accident Cases Do We Accept?

As every case is unique, we encourage you to contact our Green Bay auto accident attorneys and let us review the details of your claim. However, some common types of car accidents may include:

  • Rear-end accidents – These are common at intersections when one car does not slow down in time to avoid crashing into the back of a stopped vehicle.
  • T-bone collisions – These involve one vehicle crashing into the side of another vehicle, often as one vehicle is passing in front of another at an intersection.
  • Head-on accidents – These are often the result of one driver traveling the wrong way on a freeway, often at night or while the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Sideswipe accidents – These are often the result of drivers not paying attention and drifting into another lane.
  • Rollovers – These happen when a car flips over onto its side or roof. These often occur at high speed when vehicles are turning.
  • Multi-vehicle accidents – Whenever more than two vehicles are involved, it is often on a highway at high speed.

Our licensed attorneys are ready to help determine if you may have a case.

Call a Trusted Green Bay Car Accident Lawyer

The team of legal professionals at Sigman, Janssen, Sewall, Pitz & Burkham is prepared to fight for fair compensation on your behalf. For nearly 100 years, our lawyers have been providing legal counsel to Wisconsin residents, including those injured in car crashes. Your consultation is completely free of charge. There are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs for our legal services. You only pay us if we obtain compensation for you via a settlement or a court victory.

Call us today at (877) 888-5201.