Personal injury law refers to the bodily and emotional injuries a person suffers due to another person’s negligence. Civil statutes protect people from injuries and harm caused by other individuals. However, civil laws entitle plaintiffs to recover compensation for their damages when injuries occur.
The aftermath is often overwhelming if a person’s careless or reckless actions cause you to get in an accident. An experienced Pleasant Prairie personal injury lawyer could handle communication with an insurance company and take the legal work off your hands. A hardworking legal representative could help you recover financial compensation to pay for your medical bills and future expenses, lost wages, and psychological damages that often result from serious accidents. If you need help, call the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. to begin working on your case.
What Cases Are Considered Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law consists of a vast portion of civil law. One of the main areas of personal injury law is negligence cases, which can include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Commercial truck accidents
- Wrongful deaths
- Slip, trip, and falls
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
To recover compensation for damages related to these accidents, a claimant must establish that another individual’s negligence caused their injuries. A skilled attorney with 30 years of experience in Pleasant Prairie could complete an investigation of your incident and file a successful injury claim for damages.
When Can a Claimant File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
There are critical statutes of limitations to be aware of in personal injury cases. The first is the time frame in which the claimant must file a petition with the civil court. According to Wisconsin Statute § 893.54, an injured party must file a claim for damage recovery within three years of an accident or cause of action. If a claimant’s injuries are not apparent until after an incident, they must file the action within three years of discovering the harm caused to them.
The Comparative Negligence Rule
The comparative negligence rule is a theory that allows a plaintiff to hold a portion of the liability without barring them from recovery. According to Wisconsin Statute § 895.045, if a defendant asserts and proves that a plaintiff shares partial responsibility for an accident, the court will subtract their portion of liability from the total award amount.
However, a claimant is still eligible to recover compensation for damages as long as their portion of negligence is not greater than 50 percent. An experienced lawyer with the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could answer questions regarding the comparative negligence rule in Pleasant Prairie and help calculate potential recovery amounts under personal injury law.
Schedule a Consultation with a Diligent Personal Injury Attorney in Pleasant Prairie
If a person’s negligent behavior caused you to suffer from significant injuries, you have the right to hold them financially accountable for the harm they caused. A knowledgeable legal professional could handle the legal work and guide you through the civil court process so that you can focus on healing.
A legal team member could also communicate with defense counsel and insurance adjusters to ensure the maximum settlement. An award could provide the payment you need for medical expenses, missing work, and pain and suffering. Contact a seasoned Pleasant Prairie personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. to learn more about filing a lawsuit.