Posted by rozeklawoffice on May 1, 2010 under General | 
Wisconsin recently enacted a set of laws that make changes to your auto insurance coverage. Beginning June 1, 1010, Wisconsin will join 48 other sates that require all auto owners to carry insurance on each of their vehicles. Below is a summary of the insurance you are required to carry if you own and operate a car in the State of Wisconsin.
Bodily Liability Insurance: If you are in a car accident and cause injury to the other car’s passengers or injury to passengers in your own car, then this coverage would cover those expenses, up to a certain amount. Typical expenses covered include the other person’s medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering. The coverage only kicks in if you are determined to be more at fault than the other person who suffers the injury. As of January 1, 2010, you are required to carry a minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per persona or $100,000 per accident.
Property Damage Liability Insurance: If you are in an accident and cause damage to the other person’s property (typically their car, but could include other physical property) then this coverage would cover the repair expenses of the other person’s vehicle, up to a certain amount. Typical expenses include vehicle damage, bicycles, homes, and other physical property). This coverage does not apply to the damages that occur to the vehicle you were driving. As of January 1, 2010, the minimum coverage you must purchase is $15,000.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If you are in a car accident, a bicycle accident, pedestrian accident caused by the other driver, you have suffered an injury, and the accident was caused by someone who did not have enough insurance to cover your medical bills and other injury related expenses,then your Underinsured Motorist Coverage will cover these expenses. As of November 1, 2009, the coverage became mandatory in the amount of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. This is a new type of required insurance for State of Wisconsin drivers.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: If you are in an accident, caused by the other driver, you or someone in your car is injured, and the other driver does not have auto insurance, this coverage would pay for everything that your own auto insurance would. Typical expenses include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering. This coverage will even apply if you are riding in someone else’s car, riding a bike, or walking. Many times, it also applies if you are involved in a hit and run, caused by the other driver, and the other driver can not be identified. As of November 1, 2009, the amount of coverage your are required to carry increased to $100,000 per person or $300,000 per accident.
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If you believe that your insurance company is not treating you fairly by denying you coverage after a car accident, we encourage you to contact an experienced Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney who can review the specific details of your accident and policy.
You can also contact a Milwaukee Car Accident Attorney for your free copy of the Wisconsin Association for Justice Brochure email info@rozeklaw.com or call 1-888-ALAWYER.
Posted by rozeklawoffice on April 22, 2010 under Car Accidents, Questions and Answers |
Question: Can my car accident (which occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) insurance claim for damages (including medical bills) be denied because I was not wearing my seatbelt?
Answer: Insurance adjusters will often attempt to blame injuries on the individual if he/she was not was not wearing a seatbelt. However, Wisconsin law clearly states that the maximum reduction that can be applied to an injured individuals damages is 15%. This 15% can only be applied to the injured individuals recovery for damages that were caused by not wearing a seatbelt. The at-fault driver (otherwise known as the defense) has the burden of proof to show which injuries, if any, were due to the lack of seatbelt use. If the at fault driver (defense) meets the burden of proof, then 15% may be reduced from the injured person’s damages. So, the short answer is no, your claim can not be denied based on the fact that you were not wearing a seatblet.
Please remember though, seatbelts can save lives and are am important component of driver safety.
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If you have been in an accident, please contact an experienced Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney
Posted by rozeklawoffice on April 20, 2010 under Car Accidents, Insurance |
One of the most common mistakes made by an injured party directly following a car accident is signing an insurance release too early. Insurance companies often attempt to convince an injured party to sign a release early on, settling their personal injury case as quickly as possible after the accident. A quick settlement almost always equals less compensation than warranted for the injury victim.
What a lot of people do not realize is that insurance companies, like any other business entity, has protocol to follow to save money when making payouts to their clients. The insurance wants to cut costs and increase profits. What you may not know is that, according to a study commissioned by the insurance companies, claimants that are represented by lawyers receive an amount 2 to 3 times more than those not represented by an attorney, and this is after the attorney fees are paid.
Keep in mind that many times, injury symptoms (particularly brain injuries) do not appear right away. Although you may be symptom free or only have mild symptoms directly following the accident, a few weeks later, you may feel differently and start experiencing injury symptoms.
Also, doctors are usually not able or willing to assess a permanent medical condition until at least 6-12 months past accident. A quick settlement prevents an injured person from making a claim for permanent injury and the costs of any future medical treatment that may be needed.
My advice is simple: Do not settle your case unless you are absolutely sure that your injuries have resolved and you will have no problems in the future.
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For more on common mistakes made after a car accident, order your free Consumer Guide to Auto Accidents in Wisconsin or contact an experienced Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney.
Posted by rozeklawoffice on April 9, 2010 under Child Injuries, Mild Brain Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury |
Booster Seats may reduce injury to children in car accidents by up to 45%. Booster seats place children in a position so the seat belt, including the shoulder strap and lap belt, can work properly. Safety experts recommend using a booster seat until a child is approximately 4’9” in height.
If a child is sitting in a seat without a booster seat, the shoulder strap is apt to fit incorrectly allowing the child to slip forward and hit something in the event of a car accident. Many times this slippage causes serious brain injuries to the child. The lap belt is also more likely to rise up over the child’s pelvis causing internal damage.
When using a booster seat, its also important to utilize the following 2 steps to maximize effectiveness.
1. Ensure the lap belt part of the seat belt goes under the arm rest.
2. If the booster seat has a back, ensure the shoulder strap of the seat belt is correctly looped through the top of the seat back.
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Rozek Law Offices, SC has experiencing representing children that have been injured in car accidents. If your child has been injured in an accident, please be sure to contact an experienced Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney.
Wisconsin recently enacted a set of laws that make changes to your auto insurance coverage. Beginning June 1, 1010, Wisconsin will join 48 other sates that require all auto owners to carry insurance on each of their vehicles. Below is a summary of the insurance you are required to carry if you own and operate a car in the State of Wisconsin.