Janesville Personal Injury Attorney

Every day, thousands of people suffer serious injuries throughout the state of Wisconsin.  If you or a loved one are dealing with the aftermath of an injury, we can help.

At Mingo & Yankala, S.C., we have dedicated our practice to helping victims of serious injuries recover the financial compensation they need to move forward.   Call us today at 414-273-7400 to schedule a free consultation with our Janesville personal injury attorney.

Why Mingo & Yankala, S.C.?

The right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.  At Mingo & Yankala, S.C., we have extensive experience helping those who have been injured in Janesville and throughout the state of Wisconsin.

  • Founding attorney Mark Mingo began his career as an insurance defense attorney.  This provides him with a unique understanding of how insurance companies approach personal injury cases.
  • We’ve handled over 1000 personal injury cases involving injuries from car accidents and premises liability to complex product liability and wrongful death.
  • We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis and never charge a fee unless we win.

Personal Injury Law Overview

Tort or personal injury law focuses on making accident victims whole again by awarding them financial compensation from the party who caused their injuries. Most personal injury cases depend on showing the defendant was negligent, which requires showing the following legal elements:

  • The defendant owed the accident victim a duty of care
  • The defendant violated the duty of care
  • The violation of the duty of care caused the victim’s injuries
  • The victim suffered damages as a result of their injuries

One common example of a personal injury case is a car accident. All motorists are expected to safely operate their vehicles and avoid crashing into other motorists. If a driver breaks the law, crashes into another motorist, and injures the motorist, the victim can pursue a claim against them for the losses they have suffered. 

Common accidents that lead to personal injury claims include:

In these types of incidents, accident victims can seek compensation for the losses they have experienced. 

Common Types of Personal Injuries 

In these types of incidents, accident victims can seek compensation for the losses they have experienced.

  • Traumatic brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries often occur when there is a blow to the head. For example, a person may fall and hit their head or hit their head on the steering wheel during a car accident. Traumatic brain injuries can result in life-altering consequences, potentially limiting a victim’s ability to perform normal activities of daily living, requiring round-the-clock care, and drastically diminishing their quality of life. 
  • Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis. Complete paralysis causes the complete loss of sensation and function below the site of injury. Partial paralysis results in some, but not all, loss of sensation or function of the area of the body below the site of injury. Both types of injuries can significantly impede an accident victim’s mobility. 
  • Amputations – In catastrophic cases, a person’s limbs can be crushed, severed, or amputated, or the accident victim can lose another body part, such as a finger.  
  • Fractures – Any of the 206 bones in the human body can potentially be broken during a car accident or other type of accident. Some fractures may heal in little time, but others may require surgery or result in a long and painful recovery. 
  • Burns, scarring, and disfigurement – Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, dangerous product accidents, and other types of personal injury accidents may result in disfiguring injuries, including burns or scarring. Treatment for these injuries can be painful, and the victim may never look the same after the accident. 
  • Soft tissue injuries – Soft tissue injuries are injuries to the body’s muscles, tendons, or ligaments. These injuries are often painful and can impede mobility, but they can be difficult to prove because they often do not appear on imaging tests. 
  • Psychological injuries – Not all injuries are physical in nature. Well after physical wounds have healed, accident victims may still be dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions. Serious accidents can take a toll on personal injury victims and their families. 

How Can a Janesville Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?

After an accident, the defendant and their insurance company are unlikely to just hand over a fair amount of compensation. They will try to minimize the defendant’s liability. Your Janesville personal injury lawyer is your advocate. They will help you at all phases of your case by:

  • Explaining your legal rights and options during a free, no-obligation consultation
  • Investigating your accident and all parties who are responsible for it
  • Answering any questions that arise during the process
  • Handling all insurance claims and communication with the insurance company on your behalf
  • Gathering strong evidence to establish liability and the full extent of your damages
  • Negotiating aggressively for fair compensation 

Deadlines for Personal Injury Claims in Janesville

If you were injured by another person’s negligence, you have the right to pursue full compensation for the damages you have suffered. However, you only have a limited amount of time to assert that right. Additionally, it is vital that you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible because evidence can get lost or destroyed, memories can fade, and the defendant can build a stronger defense as time passes. 

Under WI Stat § 893.54, the statute of limitations for Wisconsin personal injury claims is generally three years. However, there are times when you may have more or less time to file a claim. In most situations, it is in your best interest to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident so they can begin working on your claim and protecting your interests. 

How Do I Know If I Have a Case?

Simply put, if you were injured in an accident or incident through no fault of your own, you may have a case.  This may include a car, truck, motorcycle or bicycle accident.  Personal injury law exists to allow the injured to recover compensation for the losses that they incur as a result of the carelessness of others.  Negligence, as it is referred to in a legal capacity, can occur in any setting and lead to devastating injuries.  Most personal injury cases arise out of motor vehicle collisions, work-related incidents such as construction site injuries, and premises liability claims including slip and falls and dog bite injuries.

However, you cannot know for sure if you have a case until you speak with a personal injury attorney. An attorney can examine the circumstances around your case and determine if you have a potential claim.

How Much is My Case Worth?

The simple answer to this question is, it depends.  The longer, more accurate answer is that the value of a personal injury case is determined by a number of factors.  These factors include:

The nature and extent of your injuries: The severity of your injuries will determine how substantial your medical expenses, both present and in the future, will be.

Who the legally responsible part is and the amount of insurance coverage available: If the responsible party was a driver of a passenger vehicle, there may be as little as $25,000 available if the driver was carrying state minimum coverage.  However, if you were injured at a business or as a result of a collision with a commercial truck, the responsible party may have substantially higher insurance coverage.  Additionally, most claims against the government in Wisconsin are capped at $250,000.

How great the impact on your life was:  For instance, if you lost a loved one or your ability to earn income, these hardships are factored in.  Compensation can also be awarded for pain and suffering.

The question of case value is incredibly complex and requires experience and a full understanding of the issues.  We understand that a personal injury claim is the most important thing in our clients’ lives.  We devote the time, energy, and resources into every case we take to make sure that no stone is unturned and our clients’ needs are met.

What to Do After an Accident

If you were injured in an accident, there are steps you can take to protect your health and your claim, including: 

  • Reporting the accident – If you were involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, you should immediately report the accident to law enforcement. This will help ensure that an accident report is prepared regarding the accident, which can be useful when filing your insurance claim. Additionally, by reporting the accident, you can request immediate medical assistance in case you or anyone else was injured. If you were involved in another type of accident, report the accident to the person in control of the property. 
  • Seeking medical attention – If you were not immediately taken to the hospital after the accident, seek prompt medical attention. Taking this step will help ensure your injuries are diagnosed and you can begin receiving treatment as soon as possible. Additionally, your medical records will serve as an important link between your injuries and the accident. 
  • Documenting the scene of the accident – Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries. Request contact information for any witnesses who saw the accident. 
  • Keeping all records – Keep all records pertaining to the accident, including communication from the insurance company. Also, keep your medical records and paystubs or other documents that show your accident-related wage loss. If you keep a journal, provide it to your lawyer.
  • Speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer – A Janesville personal injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a preventable accident in Janesville, WI, Mingo & Yankala, S.C. can help.  You deserve justice for what has happened to you and we will do everything in our power to maximize your compensation.