Car Accidents In Milwaukee, WI:
Common Types, Injuries & Tips
Car accidents aren’t just scary—they’re often physically, emotionally, and financially challenging. And, for someone who is injured in a car accident due to no fault of their own, getting fair compensation for injuries and damages can be equally difficult.
If you have been in a car crash due to the negligence of another, getting medical help for your injuries is just the beginning. What you’ll also need is a qualified personal injury law firm who can get you full compensation for your expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you want one of Milwaukee’s best car accident attorneys on your side, call Domnitz & Domnitz today for a free, no-obligation consultation – or, simply fill out the form to the right.
Types of Auto Accidents:
Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. has extensive experience representing claimants who have been injured in all manner of car accidents, including:
Left-turn accidents
Rear ends
Rollovers
Multi-car accidents
Overlap crashes
Accidents with government workers
Fatal crashes
Accidents with commercial vehicles
Accidents with unlicensed drivers
Common Car Accident Injuries
While no two car accident cases are the same, there are common injuries that our clients suffer in many car accidents. At Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C., you can contact Milwaukee car accident attorneys who have experience helping clients who have endured a wide range of injuries.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Two of the most common injuries after a car crash are broken bones and bone fractures. Which bones are broken depends on the angle and severity of the crash.
Soft Tissue and Nerve Damage
Soft tissue injuries are among the most common types of car accident injuries, occurring in simple rear-end car accidents as well as more serious car crashes.
Whiplash Injuries and Neck Pain
Almost every car accident involves some sort of whiplash.
When an outside force alters the motion of a car, the neck moves in a whip-like, back-and-forth direction. This is because, technically, your body is in motion as the vehicle is driven as well. This fast jolt of the neck can cause lasting pain, a sprain, or some swelling. It is common for people to go through months of physical therapy or use pain medication as treatment.
Whiplash can also happen as a result of a rear-end experience when the car is at a standstill since the force pushes the body forward.
Chest Injuries
Just as the neck can be suddenly pushed forward in a car accident, the chest often feels most of the impact when the body is moved by an accident’s force. Absorbing this hit can lead to severe bruising and internal damage.
Such damage can include internal bleeding, a punctured lung, and bruised or broken ribs. At times, the shock of the accident can send passengers into cardiac arrest.
Head Trauma (Traumatic Head and Brain Injuries)
Closed head injuries such as concussions are also common injuries in car accident cases. Mild concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), as well as post-concussive syndromes, can cause lifelong challenges and often require expensive medical care and lost earnings.
Aside from death, brain trauma is arguably the scariest of all car accident injuries. A blow to the head can lead to permanent, life-altering conditions. Brain trauma can affect a person’s memory, verbal skills, and their ability to complete simple tasks. Victims often need constant medical and personal support.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries, including fractures, sprains, cervical spine injury, thoracic spine injury, and lumbar spine injury, frequently occur in car accidents and can lead to full or partial paralysis requiring years of rehabilitation.
Spinal cord injuries can also result in paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body and legs) and quadriplegia paralysis (total or partial loss of all four limbs).
Lower Body Injuries
Many people consider the upper body to be the most vulnerable to car accident injuries, but the lower body can be affected just as much. Common lower body injuries include broken bones in the legs. The ankle and toes can be fractured as well. Additionally, vital tendons in the knees can also experience damage and need a significant amount of recovery time.
Road Rash Scarring and Other Disfiguring Injuries
Bruises, scrapes, cuts, severe lacerations, fractures, burns, dental issues and other facial injuries can cost accident victims thousands of dollars in reconstructive costs.
Injuries Resulting in Amputation
In some cases, injuries are so severe that they result in accidental or medical amputation of an affected digit or limb. Amputation often results in severe physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
Joint Damage and Loss of Movement
Injuries to the limbs, such as broken bones/fractures, rotator cuff tears, sprains and strains, can require expensive orthopedic care, chiropractic treatment, or physical therapy.
Psychological Injuries
Emotional injuries can be equally as damaging as physical injuries. Psychological injuries can range from mild depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Aggravating Pre-Existing Conditions
In some cases, new injuries aren’t the only result of a car crash. For some victims, mild pre-existing conditions can become aggravated, creating additional hardships.
What to Do After an Auto Accident in Milwaukee
A relatively mild car accident, in which there are no serious injuries and minimal damage either of the vehicles, happens to almost everyone at some point in their life. Frequently more of an annoyance and an unfortunate delay than anything else, these events can still bring about significant time lost in terms of working with insurance companies, dealing with the other party, and more.
For a busy Milwaukee area driver, it’s important to follow a few steps to ensure that the post-accident resolution activities are handled quickly, effectively, and properly.
Car Crash Checklist
If you’re involved in a car crash, here are the basic steps you need to remember:
Take pictures of property damage (including all vehicles, buildings, etc.).
Call authorities or 911.
Trade auto insurance information.
Be careful about making any statements. Do not admit fault!
Do not make any verbal agreements.
Safely get out of the way (but do not leave the scene).
In rare cases, the other party in the accident may wish to attempt to bargain with you, shift blame, or even to intimidate you. If you see any indication that the other party is not trustworthy or is hostile, simply avoid further communication and stay by your car or at a safe distance from the accident scene.
Don’t call your insurance company yet, especially in the case of personal injury. Insurance companies try to get a recorded statement from an injured victim following a crash because they know that not all injuries are felt or discovered right away. They are hoping to limit your recovery by recording you saying you feel fine or have only minor aches or pains in the hours after a crash.
In case of injury, do not speak with the insurance company without first consulting our experienced Milwaukee car accident attorneys. Be sure to assess your injury status carefully.
In the moments after an accident, your body may experience an adrenaline rush that can mask pain, and oftentimes the pain doesn’t surface until you’ve left the accident scene. Likewise, even if the damage to your vehicle appears mild, there may be more extensive repairs and maintenance needed that aren’t initially noticed.
For these reasons, it’s important to cover all your bases. Make sure to take detailed photos of the accident scene and the vehicles involved, and make a mental note of your recollection of the events that led up to the accident.
Protecting Yourself from Accidents and Liability
The Importance of Seatbelts
Studies have repeatedly shown that seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to reduce injuries and save lives in car crashes.
In fact, according to the CDC, roughly 55% of teens and adults (aged 20-44) who died in vehicle crashes in 2015 were unrestrained at the time of the crash.
And yet, millions of drivers and passengers do not use their seat belts on every trip. Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, it is extremely important to use your seat belt and to use it properly. This is especially true when it comes to children.
A study reported by the CDC found that between 2002 and 2011 most of the more than 9,000 children age 12 and younger who were killed in car accidents died because their car seats or seat belts were not properly buckled.
According to Wisconsin State Patrol, one in five drivers across Wisconsin fails to protect their safety in one of the easiest ways possible: buckling up. Remember: Wearing a seat belt is often the best avenue for a driver to mitigate the risk of suffering catastrophic injuries in the event that he or she is involved in a car accident caused by a reckless driver.
Seat belts help reduce injuries and fatalities by:
Keeping occupants inside the vehicle during a crash.
Restraining the body during a crash.
Spreading out the force of the collision.
Slowing the body down during the crash.
Protecting the spinal cord and brain.
Safe Driving Tips for Milwaukee Drivers
As a driver, you have a responsibility to drive safely. This means you should:
Minimize distractions while driving. So, don’t fiddle with your phone or radio.
Adjust for road conditions. If the roads are bad, slow down.
Keep ample buffer and bumper zones. Do not crowd or tailgate other drivers.
Avoid road rage. Remain calm and safe.
Maintain your vehicle. Remember to check required systems before you’re on the road.
Use the right technology to limit distractions, such as using the Do Not Disturb While Driving setting on your phone.
Pass safely.
Obey the law.
Do what you can to avoid liability during the holidays. This means being a responsible host if you’re throwing parties and using a designated driver if you’re a guest.
How to Avoid Accidents in Bad Weather
Driving when the weather is bad is difficult, but there are steps drivers can take to increase their safety. Some steps you can take when it is snowing or raining include:
Use All-Weather or Snow Tires
Even the CDC recommends using snow or all-weather tires when weather conditions warrant it. Anything that helps you increase traction and control while driving in snow and ice can help you avoid an accident.
If you choose to forgo snow tires, at the very least you should check your tires. Many motorists do not realize that their tires are improperly inflated or even bald. Remember: Drivers who do not properly maintain their vehicles may be held accountable for their negligence if they cause an injurious or fatal car accident.
Stay Informed
There are countless weather reports in our region that update Wisconsin drivers on road conditions. By knowing how much snow (or ice) is on a particular road, drivers can be proactive in avoiding them. Also, there are a number of smartphone applications that can give real time reports about road conditions.
Stay Off the Phone
While smartphones are useful, they can also be a dangerous impediment behind the wheel. During the holiday season, distracted driving shares the same infamous distinction as drunk driving. So, if you have to use the phone, pull over.
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
We may take them for granted, but it’s important to remember that seat belts do save lives. In fact, according to the CDC, for drivers and front-seat passengers, using a seat belt reduces the risk of death by 45% and serious injury by 50%.
Wait it Out
The easiest way to avoid winter road accidents is to stay off the roads. So, take heed to winter weather advisories and warnings. If it means postponing a trip, that’s fine—you can always travel another day.
Stay in Your Vehicle
Between the high speeds and high volume of traffic, there aren’t many places for pedestrians to stay safe on a freeway. If you are in an accident and you cannot move your vehicle out of the way of traffic, you should stay in it with your seat belt on.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 16% of annual pedestrian traffic deaths occur on freeways. More often than not, the safest place for a person on the freeway to be is in their vehicle.
Don’t Use Cruise Control When Roads Are Slick with Snow or Ice
Unlike snow, where some traction can be achieved, ice is unforgiving. Drivers can easily lose control of their vehicles and be involved in accidents. When roads are slick, it’s best not to use cruise control so that you have more control over your vehicle.
Watch Your Speed
It’s important to remember that speed limits are meant to be applied to normal road conditions. When the weather conditions are bad, driving the speed limit can actually be dangerous. If someone isn’t moving slowly enough or causes an accident due to negligence in inclement weather conditions, you may be able to seek compensation for the damage the driver has caused.
Tips for Passing Safely
Passing another vehicle greatly increases a driver’s risk of encountering a dangerous car accident. Thus, it’s important that the maneuver is always done with a focus on safety.
Under Wisconsin law, a driver passing another vehicle has a duty to stay in the passing lane long enough to not interfere with the vehicle being passed. The driver being passed is not supposed to speed up or otherwise interfere with passing.
Because passing is so dangerous, motorists should only do it when absolutely necessary. Drivers who do decide to pass another vehicle should keep the following safety tips in mind:
Remember that oncoming traffic often appears to be moving more slowly than it actually is.
Never pass when visibility is limited by bad weather or curves in the road.
Always signal your intention to pass before moving over.
Don’t attempt to pass a long line of cars at once.
Never try to pass unless you are absolutely certain you have enough room.
Choose Domnitz & Domnitz
If you have been injured in a car accident, you deserve legal representation that can help you recover your damages. Choose Domnitz & Domnitz. We are successful, distinguished car accident lawyers who have helped our clients regain millions of dollars in compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Choose Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. for:
Experience
We have helped our thousands of clients recoup over $100 million in damages for car crashes and injuries.
Personal Service
We aren’t just law-firm names you’ll never meet. We are the actual attorneys who will handle your case.
Always On Your Side
With Domnitz & Domnitz, you never have to worry where our loyalties lie. We are here to help you win, and we never represent the insurance company.
Ratings
We are distinguished and recognized professionals with A+ BBB ratings and Super Lawyer status.
High-Dollar Verdicts
Domnitz & Domnitz have earned high-dollar verdicts with awards ranging from $460,000 to $10,500,000 for a wide range of personal injury lawsuits.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you live in Milwaukee and have been injured in a car crash, retain experienced lawyers Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. We have the experience and resources needed to successfully represent your car accident claim.
Contact our Milwaukee car accident attorneys online or call 414-289-0909 today for a free consultation and review of your legal rights.