Wisconsin Whiplash Attorney for Justice
Get Help From Our Wisconsin Whiplash Injury Attorney Today
At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our Wisconsin auto accident attorney has extensive experience handling whiplash cases. With a proven record of success across a wide range of cases, our legal team has what it takes to hold large insurance companies accountable for paying claims. If you or your family member sustained whiplash in a motor vehicle collision, we are here to help. Contact us today for your free consultation with a top-tier Wisconsin whiplash lawyer.
What is Whiplash?
The Mayo Clinic defines whiplash as a neck injury resulting from rapid, forceful back-and-forth movement—much like the cracking of a whip. It is a form of soft tissue damage. While whiplash most commonly occurs in rear-end car accidents, a person could sustain this type of soft tissue injury in a wide range of different circumstances. The initial symptoms usually include neck pain and neck stiffness. A person may also endure headaches and even dizziness. Immediate medical attention is a must. The recovery from whiplash is far better when a person gets the proper care.
Whiplash is a Serious Concern After a Car Crash
By far, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of whiplash in Wisconsin. Too often, a whiplash injury is overlooked in the immediate aftermath of the crash. The lack of proper medical care can cause a person to suffer with long-term, even debilitating pain. Here are some of the potential consequences that a person could have to deal with if they suffer whiplash in a car crash:
- Neck Pain and Neck Stiffness: The most immediate symptoms that a person will typically notice are neck pain and neck stiffness. Turning your head might become difficult. Whiplash could affect your ability to do everyday tasks, such as driving or working at a computer.
- Headaches: These headaches will often start at the base of the skull. They can be persistent and debilitating. Whiplash-induced headaches caused by the tension in the neck muscles pulling on the nerves and tissues of the head.
- Dizziness and Balance Issues: Whiplash can affect your inner ear—thereby causing a sense of spinning and/or loss of balance. It can be dangerous.
- Fatigue: After a whiplash injury, you might feel unusually tired. The reason is the body’s response to injury and the stress it causes and/or from poor sleep due to pain.
- Risk of Untreated Head Injury: In some cases, whiplash can be accompanied by a head injury that goes unnoticed initially. Symptoms like confusion, memory problems, or changes in behavior might emerge later. An untreated concussion is a serious medical concern.
Who is Liable for a Whiplash Injury in Wisconsin?
You will need to prove fault to hold another party liable for your whiplash injury. In Wisconsin, determining liability for a whiplash injury sustained in an accident hinges primarily on the concept of negligence. The party whose carelessness or recklessness led to the accident can typically be held responsible for the resulting damages. As noted previously, most whiplash injuries in Wisconsin happen in motor vehicle collisions. A negligent driver, trucking company, or other party may be legally responsible for a person’s whiplash.
Note: Wisconsin follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule (Wis. Stat. § 895.045(1)). If you are less than 51 percent at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced proportionately to your degree of fault. What happens if you are 20 percent at fault for your own whiplash? You would be responsible for 20 percent of your damages.
Recovering Compensation for Whiplash After a Serious Accident
Whiplash can be painful, even debilitating injury. In Wisconsin, an injured victim who sustained a whiplash injury has the right to pursue compensation for their out-of-pocket losses and their intangible damages. However, sadly, the large insurance companies can make the claims process hard on ordinary people. Our Wisconsin personal injury lawyers fight hard to help victims secure the maximum compensation for whiplash. You may be entitled to recover money damages for:
- Property damage (vehicle repairs);
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Hospital bills and other medical costs;
- Loss of wages and loss of earning potential;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Long-term physical impairment.
The Personal Injury Statute of Limitations is Typically Three Years
Under Wisconsin state law (Wis. Stat. § 893.54), there is typically a three year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. That deadline applies to the full range of cases, including whiplash claims. Do not fall behind an insurance company. Consult with a Wisconsin whiplash attorney right away after a serious accident.
Whiplash? Trust the Wisconsin Whiplash Injury Lawyers at Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler
Personal injury claims are complicated—especially when dealing with a more difficult to establish ailment, such as whiplash. At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, we are proactive and results-driven. Along with other things, our Wisconsin whiplash injury attorneys are ready to:
- Hear your story and answer questions about your legal case;
- Investigate the accident, gathering the evidence to establish fault;
- Gather and organize medical records to prove your whiplash injury;
- Handle the paperwork and any negotiations with insurance companies; and
- Develop a strategy focused on recovering the maximum compensation for your whiplash.
Our law firm handles all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs or hourly bills for our clients. We only get paid when you get paid. With a history of successful verdicts and settlements, you can rely on our Wisconsin whiplash lawyers for personalized support.
Contact Our Wisconsin Whiplash Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Review
At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our Wisconsin whiplash lawyers have the professional expertise that you can trust when it matters most. If you suffered a serious whiplash injury in an accident, we are more than ready to help. Get in touch with us by phone at 608-784-4370 or contact us online to set up your no cost, no strings attached case evaluation. From our law offices in Onalaska, La Crosse, and Eau Claire, we help injured victims navigate whiplash injury cases throughout Wisconsin.