If you've been injured due to the negligence of someone else, you likely have many questions about how to go about filing a personal injury claim and seeking compensation for the damages you have suffered.
In this FAQ, we address some of the most frequently asked questions related to personal injury, personal injury lawyers, and related topics to help those in need of more information.
Q: WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?
A: A personal injury attorney is specially trained in laws related to physical, mental, or financial harm to an individual caused by the negligence or deliberate acts of another party. Personal injury lawyers represent clients in personal injury claims, such as motor vehicle accidents, slips and falls, dog bite, defective products, medical malpractice, and many more. This can include negotiating settlements with insurance companies, or if necessary, filing and fighting cases in court.
Q: How are injury lawyers different from other kinds of lawyers?
A: Injury lawyers are focused on a very specific area of law that requires a thorough understanding of injury law, the rules and regulations, as well as legal precedents that have been established over time- giving them a distinct advantage when pursuing compensation for injury victims. Other types of lawyers have a broad base of knowledge which may not be as experienced in any one area.
Q: What is a personal injury lawsuit?
A: A personal injury lawsuit is a civil lawsuit seeking compensation for an injury sustained due to another's careless actions. In Wisconsin, these damages include: medical bills, loss of income, physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of consortium, wrongful death damages, and punitive damages.
Q: What do personal injury lawyers do?
A: Personal injury lawyers assess a client's legal issue and work with medical professionals to build a strong case. They evaluate their clients' injury claim and develop a strategy for getting compensation. Personal injury lawyers investigate the incident and analyze any relevant laws, build a case and advocate for their clients. This can include negotiating settlements with insurance companies, or if necessary, filing and fighting cases in court.
Q: Is it possible to self-represent in a personal injury claim?
A: Yes, you can self-represent in a personal injury claim, although it is not usually recommended. Injury law is highly specialized and difficult to navigate, so it's best to have an experienced lawyer on your side to ensure that you get the best possible outcome for your claim. Personal injury cases require complex and highly-specialized knowledge to be successful. Even with all the research, understanding, and determination in the world, self-represented cases have a nearly non-existent success rate.
Q: What is the difference between comparative negligence claims and defective product claims?
A: Comparative negligence claims are when more than one person is found to be at fault for an accident, and the responsibility for the damages is split between the parties involved. Defective product claims are when a product has caused an injury or damages due to a defect, and the responsibility for those damages is placed solely on the manufacturer.
Q: What is the timeline for a personal injury claim?
A: The timeline for a personal injury claim is variable and can vary significantly from case to case. Generally, a personal injury case takes several months from beginning to end, depending on the details and complexity of the claim. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.
Q: How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
A: The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Wisconsin is three years from the date of injury. This means that injury victims have three years from the time of their accident to bring a claim, otherwise they may be ineligible to receive compensation.
Q: What kinds of claims are there in Wisconsin?
A: There are two primary kinds of claims in Wisconsin: property damage claims and personal injury claims. Property damage claims involve seeking compensation for physical damages to your property (like a car or home), while personal injury claims involve seeking compensation for physical or psychological injuries you have suffered as a result of someone else's negligence.
CONTACT A WISCONSIN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
With an in-depth knowledge of Wisconsin law and a successful history of securing large settlements, you can count on us to represent you in any injury case. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you with your injury claim.
If you have any other questions about personal injury law or would like to receive a free consultation, contact us at Bykhovsky Law.
