Frank Fought for Chris Against the Insurance Companies

When I was hit by an underinsured driver, Warshafsky was the company I talked to first. Frank Crivello immediately addressed my medical concerns and then we discussed my car. The other drivers insurance company wanted me to settle right away. What the insurance company wanted to offer me barely cove...

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Chris O
Krista Fought for a Better Payday for Jimi

I had the pleasure to work with Krista G. LaFave at Warshafsky law firm. Not only was Krista available for my questions, but she worked hard to get more money than I expected. Because of her insight, and professional advice, I listened to her. I was very anxious and wanted to just get this over with...

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Jimi M
"This is the place, and these are the people."

I want to thank Warshafsky Law Firm for everything that they have done for me and my daughter. Specifically, Victor C. Harding and Sue M. Soczka. I can't express enough how grateful I am for all of their hard work and dedication. From the beginning to the end, they took control of everything needed ...

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Tyler P
"Trusting in the Warshafsky team was one of the best decisions my family has made."

The Warshafsky Law Firm were diligent and very professional. I rarely write a review unless I feel strongly about something, but I truly feel that everyone at Warshafsky worked hard on our case and deserves all the good praises. We never felt like we couldn't trust them to work for us to get everyth...

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Mae C
Krista & Victor Challenged a 60-Year-Old Settlement Cap and WON!

​Krista LaFave and Victor Harding made a recovery for almost nine times more than is allowed by law!​ My husband was killed in an auto accident because a municipality failed to erect warning signs alerting drivers of a road closure ahead. Early on, I was told that a municipality is protected by a $5...

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Deidra U
Warshafsky Gives Out Free Legal Advice

Call Warshafsky! is what my friends told me. Thankfully in my accident, no one was injured, but I did not want to be taken advantage of by the insurance company. I wasn't sure if I needed a lawyer, but this IS about the money, right? You carefully listened to me about my situation and let me know th...

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C Boneck

Milwaukee car accident settlement & judgment amounts

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Types of damages available if you’re injured in Milwaukee

If you have been injured in a car accident you may be entitled to damages, or money, based on a variety of factors. Straightforward economic damages are easier to measure financially. Your compensation may include:

  1. Property damage 
    (typically including the damage to your vehicle and its contents)
  2. Lost wages  
    (loss of income and loss of future earning capacity from being too injured to work)
  3. Medical expenses 
    (including hospital bills past, present, and future)
  4. Emotional distress
    (sleep loss, fear, anxiety, and PTSD experienced after the injury)
  5. Loss of enjoyment/loss of consortium
    (inability to enjoy hobbies and activities, or companionship with your spouse)

A note on pain and suffering and non-economic damages

How much pain and suffering you have endured can be litigated in court. You might experience emotional or psychological distress, mental anguish or suffer from PTSD for the rest of your life. You may feel the person or business who caused your accident behaved so recklessly they should be punished (punitive damages). Sometimes this plays out in the courtroom. The companies responsible for your injuries will try to minimize your payout or absolve themselves of responsibility entirely. The legal valuation of your pain and suffering is a complex analysis you won’t solve by doing your own online research. You should consult an experienced personal injury lawyer for a free case evaluation.

 

Milwaukee car accident personal injury attorneys

Milwaukee vehicle accident case types

 

Types of car crash injuries

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, at least 30,000 people were injured in at least 100,000 car accidents statewide over the past 5 years. Milwaukee County makes up about 20% of those accidents despite only having 16% of the state’s population. Injuries range from bruises and minor lacerations to traumatic brain injuries and paralysis. Broken bones can be a precursor to permanent disability. Concussions or neck pain could be indicative of whiplash and lifelong back problems. Delayed pain caused by adrenaline, inflammation, or “shock” can cloud your judgment regarding how injured you are. Getting medical attention early can help build your case against the insurance company later.

Car accident resources

 

Why police reports are critical to your car accident claim

Several key pieces of evidence support your injury claim after an accident including the police report. Order a copy ASAP. The police report comes from a third-party member who was on the scene of your accident. Since it is the official recording of what happened, it’s vital to have.

You can get a copy of the report easily and for a small fee. The reporting officer should give you a receipt that includes an identification number. Call your local police department and provide them with the number to get the report. If you were never given a receipt or lost it, provide the date, time, and location of the accident to get a copy. 

The report provides a summary of the accident and includes relevant info such as: 

  • Date, time, and location of the accident
  • Name, address, and insurance information of involved parties
  • Traffic citations issued to either party 
  • Identifying information from witnesses 
  • Who was at fault according to the officer

The insurance company will use the report to conduct its own investigation. Without the report, your accident claim may be weak, allowing the insurance company to lowball your settlement offer or even deny your claim. 

Is Wisconsin a no-fault state? 

Wisconsin is a tort state, not a no-fault state. This means that fault is used to determine liability and who will receive compensation after an accident. If you are the person injured and need compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, and suffering, etc., the at-fault individual is required to pay for all the damages you incurred from the accident. If the responsible party’s insurance can’t cover the total costs, they will have to pay for the remaining damages from their personal assets.

Uninsured & Underinsured Car Accident Victims

If you are involved in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance provider. The at-fault driver’s inadequate insurance will not be able to cover the damages, but your provider should. Your insurance company still might attempt to avoid paying a claim, so you’ll want a team of experienced lawyers on your side to fight off any lowball offers.

Wisconsin State Legislature: Injury to the person. Wisconsin Statute § 893.54 (2023). Duty to report an accident; assistance following an accident. Wisconsin Statute § 346.70.  

How to deal with your insurance company after a Milwaukee car accident

After your Milwaukee car accident, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance company. When you speak to your provider, they’ll ask for information about the accident. What you decide to share can affect your claim. 

Here is what you should and shouldn’t do when speaking to an insurance adjuster: 

  • DON’T share more than necessary: Anything you say may be used against you to weaken your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. 
  • DO share the date, time, names, and location of the accident: Only provide the facts. 
  • DON’T go into detail about your injury: Insurance companies will try to dig into your medical history to blame your injuries on previous conditions.
  • DON’T admit fault: The insurance company is not on your side. If you take responsibility in any way, they will try to use it against you in your injury claim. 
  • DO hire a personal injury lawyer: Rather than handling the stress of a car accident claim alone, hire a lawyer. Warshafsky handles all conversations with your insurance provider to ensure you get fair compensation, and we won’t settle for less. 
  • DON’T sign insurance documents without speaking to an attorney: If you’re unfamiliar with any insurance documents, speak to your lawyer immediately. Your insurance company will do its best to get you to sign your legal rights away. Don’t fall for it. 
  • DO be polite: Be courteous when speaking to an insurance adjuster but also cautious. Tell the insurance company they should speak to your lawyer to avoid incriminating statements.
  • DON’T accept the first settlement offer: Insurance companies set out to do one thing–save themselves money. They will offer you the lowest settlement amount possible after your accident. Don’t accept it. Call Warshafsky.

Wisconsin is the 4th Worst Driving State in the US - Alcohol and Speeding to Blame

A new study, published by the insurance review site QuoteWizard, found Wisconsin to be one of the worst driving states in the US. Even if you have a perfect driving record, this ranking affects all Wisconsin vehicles.

Nick VinZant, a senior research analyst, sat down with Milwaukee’s TMJ4. VinZant explains, “What we did is we looked at dangerous driving behavior nationwide, specifically speeding tickets, accidents, DUIs and citations… We found that Milwaukee is the worst driving city in Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin ranks 4th in the nation for DUIs and 5th for speeding tickets.

How will this affect your insurance premiums? VinZant estimates your insurance to increase:

  • 26% after a speeding ticket
  • 25% - 75% after an accident
  • $10,000 + extra premiums after a DUI

Milwaukee's Most Dangerous Intersections (2021-2022)

Data indicates that the intersection at Fond du Lac Avenue, Burleigh Street and 35th Street is the most dangerous intersection in Milwaukee. From 2021 to 2022, 110 crashes and 42 hit-and-runs were recorded at that location.

IntersectionCrashes Recorded (2021-2022)Hit and RunsNotable Landmarks Nearby
Fond du Lac Avenue, Burleigh Street and 35th Street 110 42 Sherman Phoenix, Police District 7
West Burleigh Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue 37 16 BMO Harris Bank, Taqueria los Tuxtla
North 35th Street and West Burleigh Street 36 14 Reynold's Pasty Shop, Conflict Sports
North 35th Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue 34 12 Milwaukee County Transit System, O'Reilly Auto Parts
Fond du Lac Avenue, Capitol Drive and 51st Boulevard 81 12 Carson Academy of Science, Zaza's Steak & Lemonade
North 51st Boulevard and West Fond du Lac Avenue 38 10 Milwaukee Fire Department, Uppa Yard
Fond du Lac Avenue, Center Street and 27th Street 81 18 Wisconsin Black Historical Society, Fryerz
North 27th Street and West Center Street 43 18 Milwaukee Public Library, Center Street Branch
North 27th Street crosses with West Fond du Lac Avenue 40 16 Clarke Street Boys & Girls Club, Matco Distributors
West Center Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue 38 10 Clarke Street School, MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary
North 35th Street and West Capitol Drive 41 18
27th Street, Teutonia Avenue and Hampton Avenue 34 15 Advance Auto Parts, Lloyd's Dry Cleaners and Laundromat
60th Street and Silver Spring Drive 32 14 Westlawn Gardens, El Navegante
60th Street and Capitol Drive 32 12 Midtown Shopping Center, Laughing Crab
Sherman Boulevard and Capitol Drive 32 12
Cesar Chavez Drive, Muskego Avenue and Greenfield Avenue 32 14 Pete's Fruit Market; Chase Bank

 

Warshafsky Law

Warshafsky prepares every case for full-scale litigation, through the trial and even the appeal. Insurance companies fear our reputation. They WILL settle for a dramatically higher sum than their initial, small offering. We operate under a strict no-win-no-fee policy, meaning we do not collect payment until we win.

Other Law Firms

Most attorneys want to be hired and settle your case fast. Speed of dispensation and volume means more income for these law firms and less for you. These spineless attorneys are simple settlement mills, looking for the quickest pay cut.

111 Car accident fatalities in 2022

Per the Wisconsin DOT statistics from 2023, car accidents went down dramatically in Milwaukee County (from 27,430 in 2021 to 25,604 in 2022) but car accident deaths went up (from 87 in 2021 to 111 in 2022).  Preliminary death count stats suggest 80 in 2023. 2023 total crash data is not yet available.

Milwaukee County car accidents

Milwaukee car accident stats

Milwaukee County car accident deaths

Milwaukee car accident death statistics

We handle all types of car accidents in Milwaukee

Warshfasky Law Firm has represented injured clients in all types of auto accidents in Milwaukee. Each case is unique, the particular facts of your case will be investigated during your free case evaluation.

  • Head-on and rear-end collisions
  • T-Bone intersection accidents
  • Highway rollovers
  • Drunk driver accidents
  • Single vehicle and multi vehicle
  • Distract driver (texting and driving) accidents
  • Uninsured, underinsured, and hit-and-run accidents

Can road conditions impact liability in car accidents?

Common types of car crashes are impacted by icy, wet, debris-filled and improperly designed roads and could impact liability in a car accident. For example, if an entity had a duty to keep an area of pavement well maintained and failed in that duty, it might be argued that their insurance company is liable for your injuries. Call a personal injury attorney after a car accident to examine factors that could affect your case.

Types of vehicles impacting your legal claim

  1. Uber and Lyft cars - Ride sharing services try to insulate themselves from legal liability with end-user license agreements (EULAs) for the passenger (you), and other paperwork for the driver. It may be called into question whose insurance is liable for which monetary damages.
  2. Police cars and ambulances - There are additional car accident laws that apply to government vehicles. For example, under Wisconsin state law you must report an accident if $1,000 or more damage is done to any person’s property vehicle, but that threshold drops to $200 for government property or vehicles.
  3. School buses and garbage trucks - Sometimes a Milwaukee car accident lawyer might seek to enjoin many parties to your lawsuit. The company employing the driver directly could be liable. The entity employing that company could be liable. The insurance company of any involved parties could be liable. A lawyer can help you work this out.
  4. Semi tractors and large trucks - Over the road trucking companies are often protected by huge blanket insurance policies that could be the source of liability needed to help you recover financially. Even if the truck driver was only partly responsible for the damages, the company insurance policy could be responsible for all of your expenses – medical and otherwise.
  5. Motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians - Motorcycle accidents are disproportionately likely to involve serious injury or death. Insurance policies do their best to price this into their policy, collecting maximized premiums each month while providing the minimum possible payout to make your accident claim go away.

 

Most common causes of serious car accident injuries in Milwaukee

Vehicle wrecks can be caused by texting and driving, following too close, or any other 1000 factors. In 2022, there were 440 Milwaukee County crashes reported with suspected serious injuries. According to the University of Wisconsin, some of the biggest contributory factors in “serious injury” accidents were:

  • Speed – 126 serious injury accidents28.6% of crashes had at least one driver who exceeded the speed limit, was driving too fast for conditions, or a citation was issued.
  • Seatbelt – 76 serious injury accidents17.3% of crashes had one or more persons who did not use any safety equipment. For motorcyclists this includes helmets.
  • Alcohol or Drugs – 58 serious injury accidents13.2% of crashes had one or more persons who were suspected by law enforcement to have used alcohol or drugs, or a citation was issued.

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Frequent Milwaukee car accident attorney questions

What is a no win no fee car accident law firm?

Warshafsky Law is a contingency legal firm, which means no-win, no-fee. You won’t pay any money up-front. You only pay only when you receive compensation. This means you don't have to think about hourly fees or retainers punishing you for frequent communication.

What are the most common car accident injuries?

The most common car accident injuries include scrapes and cuts, soft tissue damage and head, chest, arm, and leg injuries.

How is fault determined in a car accident in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin operates under a Shared Fault Law, meaning each person involved can be held partially responsible for the crash. Compensation for damages varies based on the percentage of fault attributed to you. Fault is usually determined by the police officers who respond to the scene. Hire an accident attorney to examine all the evidence to uncover the true liable parties.

Should I hire a lawyer for an auto accident in Milwaukee?

Yes, contact an experienced car wreck lawyer to receive the maximum insurance settlement you deserve. Milwaukee auto insurance companies often lowball claims, and shared liability laws are complicated to navigate. Wisconsin's Statute of Limitations requires you to file your personal injury case within 3 years of discovering the injury. Damages over $5,000 are not handled in small claims court. Hire the best Milwaukee car crash lawyers to build your case with on-site evidence (police reports, medical records, eyewitness testimony) and uncover hidden sources of liability.

When should I call an attorney after a car accident?

Evidence begins deteriorating minutes after the accident. The sooner you contact an attorney the sooner we can begin building your case to win at trial. That is the only way insurance companies will offer you the full value of your case. Online research can be counterproductive. Your case assessment is always free. Act FAST.