Car Accident Attorneys in Madison, Wisconsin

1. Gingras, Thomsen and Wachs, LLP

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, expert witness coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Gingras, Thomsen and Wachs, LLP has been helping accident victims in Madison, Wisconsin for over 35 years. The firm has received numerous honors including recognition by the American Board of Trial Advocates, Best Lawyers, and the Wisconsin Association for Justice. Partners Bob J. Gingras and Paul A. Kinne lead the firm. Attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in Wisconsin, Best Lawyer of the Year, Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, and The American Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers. The firm prepares every case as if it will go before a jury.

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Contact: https://www.gtwlawyers.com/

Consultation: Free case evaluation available, contingency fee basis

2. Nicolet Law Accident and Injury Lawyers

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, ATV accidents, boating accidents, aviation accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, specialty vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence preservation, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Nicolet Law has successfully represented thousands of injured clients throughout Wisconsin. Russell Nicolet serves as the firm’s President and is known as “The Midwest’s Lawyer.” The firm has attorneys throughout Wisconsin. Nicolet Law emphasizes that Wisconsin allows three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but advises clients to act quickly to preserve evidence and protect their claims. The firm handles all communication with insurance companies on behalf of clients.

Location: 345 W. Washington Ave #309, Madison, WI 53703

Contact: (608) 467-0429 | https://nicoletlaw.com/

Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis

3. Atterbury, Kammer and Haag, S.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, case valuation, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Atterbury, Kammer and Haag, S.C. represents clients throughout Wisconsin including Madison and Middleton. All attorneys in the firm are partners with proven records of success. The firm has been recognized for inclusion in Super Lawyers year after year and all attorneys have “Superb” 10.0 Avvo ratings. The firm is respected by the insurance defense industry and peers for litigation skills. Rather than rushing to settle cases, attorneys take time to thoroughly assess case merits and determine accurate values before advising on settlement or litigation strategy.

Location: Middleton, Wisconsin (serving Madison and throughout Wisconsin)

Contact: https://www.yourwisconsininjurylawyers.com/

Consultation: Free consultation available

4. Habush Habush and Rottier S.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, product liability

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Habush Habush and Rottier S.C. has more than nine decades of experience representing injury victims in Wisconsin. The firm has a Madison office serving the greater Madison area. Attorneys handle car accidents, medical malpractice, dog attacks, slip and falls, and other accidents. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless the firm wins their case.

Location: Madison, Wisconsin (part of statewide firm)

Contact: https://www.habush.com/

Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no fee unless they win)

5. Hupy and Abraham, S.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Hupy and Abraham, S.C. has successfully resolved more than 70,000 cases and recovered more than $2 billion for clients. The Madison office is located near the Beltline Highway. The firm has an AV Preeminent peer review rating in Martindale Hubbell and has been recognized locally as the best personal injury law firm. Attorneys investigate claims to determine accident causes and liable parties, gather evidence including police reports, medical records, witness statements, photos, and video footage, and handle all aspects of the claims process.

Location: Madison, Wisconsin (serving greater Madison area including Janesville, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, Stoughton, Verona, Middleton, Cottage Grove, Waunakee, Sauk City, Wisconsin Dells, and Baraboo)

Contact: (608) 277-7777 | https://www.hupy.com/

Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis

Government Notice Rules, Damages Limits and Wrongful Death Recovery for Madison Car Crashes

A Madison car crash claim against a city, county or other local governmental body starts with a written notice within 120 days and an itemized claim, and Wisconsin limits what can be recovered from a governmental body. Wisconsin also sets who receives a wrongful death recovery and compares the injured driver’s negligence against each defendant one at a time.

The 120-Day Notice

Under Wis. Stat. 893.80(1d)(a), no action may be brought against a governmental subdivision or agency, or its officers and employees acting in their official capacity, unless written notice of the circumstances of the claim is served within 120 days after the event. Failure to give notice does not bar the claim if the entity had actual notice and the claimant shows the delay was not prejudicial. Under (1d)(b), an itemized claim with the claimant’s address must also be presented to the clerk and disallowed.

Limits on Recovery From a Governmental Body

Under Wis. Stat. 893.80(3), recovery against a governmental subdivision or agency and its officers and employees may not exceed $50,000, and no punitive damages are allowed. Under 893.80(5), that limit does not apply where another statute provides the remedy, and under 345.05(3) recovery for negligent operation of a motor vehicle owned and operated by a municipality may not exceed $250,000.

Who Receives a Wrongful Death Recovery

Under Wis. Stat. 895.04(2), the recovery belongs to the surviving spouse or domestic partner, then to the lineal heirs, then to the siblings. When minor children the deceased was legally charged with supporting survive, the court determines an amount to set aside for them, not more than 50 percent of the net recovery.

Proof of Financial Responsibility

Under Wis. Stat. 344.01, proof of financial responsibility for the future means proof of ability to respond in damages, for accidents after the proof takes effect, of at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more persons and $10,000 for property damage in one accident.

Madison Car Accident Questions

How long do I have to sue after a Madison car crash?

Three years for an injury claim under Wis. Stat. 893.54(1m)(a), and 2 years for a wrongful death action arising from a motor vehicle accident under 893.54(2m). A claim against a governmental body also needs the 120-day notice.

Your negligence is compared with each driver separately under Wis. Stat. 895.045(1). For example, imagine $100,000 in damages, 30 percent of the negligence on the injured driver, 50 percent on one driver and 20 percent on another: the claim against the 20 percent driver is barred, and the 50 percent driver, below 51 percent, pays its own share, so the recovery would be $50,000.

Can a city vehicle claim exceed $50,000?

Yes, up to $250,000. Under Wis. Stat. 345.05(3), the $250,000 limit replaces the general $50,000 limit for damage caused by the negligent operation of a motor vehicle owned and operated by a municipality in the course of its business.