Why Is It Important to Determine Whether Your Wisconsin Car Accident Injury Is Permanent Before Settling Your Case?
Car accidents are a leading cause of injury in Wisconsin. If you have been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s fault, you are entitled to seek compensation from the at-fault driver and that driver’s insurance company. However, it may not be immediately clear whether your injury is permanent or not. Settling your case at the wrong time, or without knowing the full extent of any future damages you may sustain, almost always results in the accident victim receiving less compensation than they are entitled to. A skilled Milwaukee personal injury attorney can advise you on the steps to take to maximize your financial recovery before you settle your claim. Contact Mingo & Yankala, S.C. for your free case review.
Knowing the Full Extent of Your Damages Before You Settle
Before you settle a claim, your personal injury lawyer will want to be sure that they have accounted for the full extent of your damages. Past damages for which you may be compensated include items such as:
- Medical expenses you have incurred
- Damage to your vehicle
- Lost wages for time missed from work while recovering
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Delay in obtaining your high school or college degree if you were in school, or planning to attend school, when the accident occurred
- Fear of undergoing surgery or other medical procedures if recommended by a doctor as a result of injuries from your car accident
Your claim can also include losses you may incur in the future. However, your personal injury attorney will need to be able to quantify these losses, so they will want to talk to expert witnesses and your medical providers to determine the full extent of your damages.
Once armed with this information, your lawyer can demand compensation equal to your existing and projected losses.
A Permanent Injury Increases the Value of Your Case
Permanent injuries can significantly affect your life. A permanent injury may result in future pain and suffering, negatively impact your ability to work, cause you to have future medical treatment and affect your relationship with loved ones.
A permanent injury allows you to be compensated for the effect your injuries will have on your life in the future. A skilled personal injury attorney will work with your health care providers to properly back up your claim for a permanent injury from your car accident. Many Wisconsin car accident victims have not received the full compensation to which they are entitled because their lawyer did not properly substantiate their claim for a permanent injury. The Wisconsin car accident team at Mingo & Yankala know how to work with your health care providers to support any claim for a permanent injury you may have. A properly documented permanent injury will result in you receiving much greater compensation than where there is no permanent injury because you are being compensated not only for your past damages but for future damages sustained during the remainder of your future life expectancy.
If your attorney has properly substantiated that you have a permanent injury from your Wisconsin car accident, increased compensation may include the following:
- Future pain and suffering from the time of your settlement through the remainder of your anticipated future life expectancy
- Future medical expenses for surgeries, hospitalizations, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing care
- Home renovations to accommodate your disability, such as building a ramp or widening doorways to make space for a wheelchair
- Lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to work or have to take a less demanding and lower paying job because of your injuries
- Loss of consortium if your injuries affect your intimate relationships
- Loss of quality of life
Finality of the Case
Normally, once you settle your Wisconsin car accident claim, you cannot reopen it later if you subsequently find out your injuries are permanent. You are stuck with whatever you settled the case for. This is why it’s so important to know the full extent of your damages and to wait to find out whether your injury is permanent before settling your claim. Obtaining maximum compensation for a permanent injury almost always requires the knowledge and skill of an experienced personal injury attorney.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A skilled personal injury attorney will carefully review your medical records and consult with your treating doctor, if necessary, to determine whether your injuries are permanent before settling your case. They may also consult with economic experts, vocational experts, or others to determine the economic impact of your injury. Your lawyer can also gather and prepare evidence to support your claim and demand fair compensation for your case.
Contact a Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyer Today
The Milwaukee car accident attorneys at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. understand how permanent disabilities can derail your life. We’re ready to fight for the full compensation you’re owed. Contact us today for your free case consultation.