Have you been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Racine? Have you lost income as your injuries have left you unable to work and earn a living? We can help.
At Cannon & Dunphy S.C., our trial lawyers have extensive experience in auto accident cases. We are dedicated to seeking the maximum possible in compensation. Our Racine personal injury lawyers can negotiate a fair settlement or take the case to court to seek justice.
If you believe that your accident in Racine was the result of the negligent actions of another party, a car accident lawyer in Racine can help you understand and exercise your right to seek full compensation.
Car Accident Statistics
In a recent year, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported 14 fatalities and 4,000 automobile crashes in Racine County at an average rate of more than ten per day. On a statewide basis, an average of almost 30,000 injury crashes occur in Wisconsin annually. Each year, more than 100 people are injured in car accidents each day in the state, with an average of more than 500 fatal crashes.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Despite advances in automobile safety, the national rate of fatal accidents has increased in recent years. This has been attributed to factors such as distracted driving (texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated), failure to wear seat belts, intoxicated driving, and speeding.
A collision at 65 miles per hour results in an impact equivalent to driving off the top of a 12-story building. Certain kinds of injuries frequently come about in automobile accidents:
- Broken bones: These can range from simple breaks to compound fractures, where bone pierces the skin with an increased risk of serious infection, or breaks where the bone is shattered and must be reconstructed with plates and pins.
- Neck injuries: It is a common occurrence in car accidents for the neck to be caused to move suddenly forward or to the side. This can cause a sprain or strain or damage a disc in the neck.
- Back Injuries: The spine and back may be damaged in a collision. In the worst cases, this can lead to shattered vertebrae or nerve damage or a severed spinal cord leading to quadriplegia or paraplegia.
- Head Injuries: A brain injury can occur in a vehicle accident. The impact, if violent enough, may lead to a closed head injury resulting in death or permanent disabilities.
Car Accident Liability Laws in Racine
If you believe you have a personal injury case, you have a time limit of three years from the date of the accident or the discovery of the injury to file a lawsuit. If the accident resulted in the death of a loved one, you have a period of two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Even if another party is largely responsible for the accident, it’s possible that the defense may try to prove that you were partly responsible. If successful, this strategy will reduce your settlement to reflect the percentage of your responsibility for the accident. If you are found to be 20 percent responsible, for example, your settlement will be reduced by 20 percent. The other driver must be at least 50 percent responsible for you to be able to recover financial compensation through an insurance claim.
Why Do You Need a Racine Car Accident Lawyer?
No matter how clear the facts of your case may seem, if they are not properly documented and presented, your chances of success can be affected. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is absolutely no fee unless we secure compensation on your behalf.
Contact us for a free consultation.