If you were injured as a passenger in a Wisconsin traffic crash, you have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other related damages.
In this post, the Madison personal injury attorneys at Boller & Vaughan discuss the rights of passengers who are hurt in motor vehicle accidents and how an attorney can help recover the financial security injury victims need to move forward with their lives.
Unlike drivers who suffer injuries in a crash, injured passengers don’t have to face the potential burden of liability. Liability for damages stemming from the crash will rest with the responsible driver or drivers, and their respective insurance companies.
When it comes to motor vehicle collisions, Wisconsin follows a so-called “modified comparative negligence” system in which liability is assigned based on a percentage of fault. In order to recover damages, an injury victim may not be more than 50 percent at fault for the crash.
If a passenger was injured in an accident caused by multiple drivers, the injury victim’s damages will be paid in amounts that correspond to the drivers’ percentages of liability. For example, if a passenger suffers $100,000 in damages in a crash caused by two drivers and Driver 1 was 60 percent at fault while Driver 2 was 40 percent at fault, the injury victim would receive $60,000 from Driver 1’s insurance provider and $40,000 from Driver 2’s insurance company.
If a passenger is hurt in a single-car accident, the claim for damages is filed against the driver and his or her insurance provider. This can be a tough decision for injured passengers to make, as the at-fault driver in these cases may be a friend or family member. However, it’s important to remember that the financial liability for damages is with the insurance company and not the individual.
Unfortunately, insurance providers often attempt to deny or limit what they pay to injury victims, even passengers who shared no fault in the crashes that left them hurt and facing overwhelming medical expenses. This is why it can pay to have an experienced attorney on your side.
A skilled lawyer understands the immediate and long-term costs associated with a wide variety of injuries and can negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf while you focus on your recovery.
Damages for motor vehicle accident victims may include money for:
If a loved one died as a passenger in a traffic crash, our attorneys may be able to help surviving family members pursue compensation through a wrongful death case.
At Boller & Vaughan, our accomplished attorneys strive to negotiate a just settlement out of court. But our lawyers also have the resources and courtroom expertise necessary to take your case to trial if settlement offers are too low for your needs.
Regardless of whether you ultimately decide to work with an attorney, it’s a good idea to consult with a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s initial settlement offer. The Madison attorneys at Boller & Vaughan offer free consultations to help you understand your options, and we don’t charge for our services unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a Wisconsin motor vehicle crash caused by a negligent driver, please call us today at 608-268-0268 to arrange your complimentary consultation or contact us online to tell us your story now.
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We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
