Appleton Personal Injury Lawyer

Are you feeling overwhelmed after being seriously injured in an accident caused by someone else? Has the injury impacted your finances or ability to earn income? Are you feeling unsure of what the future may bring? If so, you are not alone.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a serious injury, the Appleton personal injury attorneys at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. can help. If we are able to take on your case, we will work tirelessly to establish fault and advocate for your right to full and fair restitution.

Call us today for a free and confidential case evaluation at 414-273-7400.

Mingo & Yankala, S.C. Can Help

If you have suffered serious injuries, you need an attorney with experience both in and out of the courtroom.  You need an attorney that has handled similar cases before and understands how to take them where they need to go.

At Mingo & Yankala, S.C., our attorneys have handled thousands of personal injury cases and taken over 100 all the way through trial.  We understand how insurance companies operate, what the important issues are, and how to build strong cases.  Our firm has the resources and ability to take on any case, no matter how complicated or how big the defendant is.  Most importantly, however, our Appleton and Milwaukee personal injury lawyers dedicate ourselves to our clients and treat them with the respect that they deserve.

What is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury is an area of law that allows victims of serious injury to recover compensation for their losses from the person or entity that caused their injury.  Most personal injury cases revolve around the concept of negligence. The basis for liability under negligence is that a person, business, or entity is legally obligated to act in a reasonable manner that keeps others safe.  When their actions or inactions cause another person to be injured, they may be held legally responsible. For example, operators of motor vehicles are expected to follow the rules of the road to keep other drivers safe, property owners are required to provide a safe premise for visitors that is free from hazards, trucking companies are expected to maintain their vehicles and follow specific guidelines.

Common accidents and incidents leading to personal injury cases include:

Car Accidents 

Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in Wisconsin. Our state operates under a tort system, so the party who is at fault for the accident is responsible for paying for the damages they cause. Most car accidents are caused by driver error by actions such as:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Impaired driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Disregarding traffic signs
  • Following too closely

Some car accidents are caused by defective auto parts or dangerous roads. 

Our team can investigate the accident and identify all at-fault parties. 

Truck Accidents

Truck accident cases are often much more complicated than other types of motor vehicle accident cases. This is because truck accidents may involve:

  • Multiple parties – The trucking industry involves many parties, so when an accident occurs more than one party might be responsible for an accident. Trucking companies, truck owners, drivers, third-party cargo loaders, maintenance companies, and others may be responsible for a truck accident. Therefore, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly who is responsible for the accident without a thorough investigation. 
  • Significant damages – Trucks are much larger than typical passenger vehicles, so occupants in smaller vehicles may suffer serious injuries that result in significant damages. The various defendants and the insurance companies that represent their interests may try to shift blame to other parties to try to avoid being held accountable for these sizeable damages.
  • Complex regulations – The trucking industry is governed by complex regulations that deal with everything from hours of service to how to secure loads.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need a lawyer who is experienced in these types of accidents who can protect your rights. 

Slips and Falls 

Wisconsin property owners must keep their property in a safe condition so that any visitors or guests are not injured while on the property. If you were injured while visiting public property, a business, or private property, an experienced personal injury lawyer can:

  • Identify who owns and leases the property
  • Investigate how the accident occurred
  • Identify applicable insurance coverage
  • Interview witnesses who saw the accident
  • Review contracts that assign responsibility for maintaining the property
  • Request other accident or incident reports
  • Gather evidence to show how negligence caused the accident
  • Identify the unsafe conditions that were present on the property and contributed to the accident 
  • Investigate whether the property owner had a history of neglecting the property
  • Determine that the defendant knew or should have known about the dangerous conditions that caused the accident
  • Identify the laws and regulations that govern the maintenance of the property
  • Assess arguments regarding immunity

Dog Bites 

Dog bites can result in serious physical and psychological injuries. If a dog owner has acted negligently, they should be held accountable for their careless actions and fully compensate you for your injuries. 

Bicycle Accidents 

Many careless drivers do not treat bicyclists the same as other motorists. In most situations, bicyclists must follow the same rules as drivers of motorized vehicles. However, impatient drivers may whip around cyclists, fail to see them, or hit them with their doors when exiting their vehicles. Bicycle accidents can lead to serious injuries and death. The seasoned trial lawyers of Mingo & Yankala, S.C. can help you fight for fair compensation. 

Dangerous Products

Those who sell their products to the public must ensure that their products are safe and have proper instructions and warnings. If products are defectively designed or manufactured or have inadequate warnings, manufacturers can be held accountable for injuries that result from using their dangerous products. 

Motorcycle Accidents 

Because motorcycles lack the same type of safety equipment – like seatbelts, airbags, and a steel frame – injuries stemming from motorcycle accidents tend to be severe. It is important that you seek medical treatment and follow your doctor’s care plan to recover as much as possible. Our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers and support staff can handle your claim while you focus on your recovery. 

Wrongful Death 

If an accident results in the victim’s death, the personal representative of the victim’s estate can pursue a wrongful death claim for the losses incurred because of the defendant’s actions. The same types of situations that can lead to a personal injury case – such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and dangerous product accidents can provide the basis for a wrongful death case. This type of claim benefits the surviving family of the deceased.

In these and many other situations, victims may be eligible to recover financial compensation to cover losses such as medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and more.

Common Types of Personal Injuries 

Accident victims may suffer from various types of injuries, which can range in severity from a minor injury that heals within a few weeks to a serious, life-altering injury. We are fully equipped to represent accident victims who have sustained the following injuries:

  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Brain Injuries
  • Amputations
  • Ruptured organs
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Fractures
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Burns
  • Scarring and disfigurement

Our compassionate personal injury lawyers work closely with injury victims and can provide sensitive legal representation. We want you to focus on your health and well-being while we competently handle your accident claim.

Compensation You Can Recover in a Wisconsin Personal Injury Claim

Every personal injury case is different, and the potential compensation you can recover will be based on the individual circumstances surrounding your case. The type and severity of your injury, available insurance limits, and the defendant’s degree of fault can all impact the potential value of your claim. 

Wisconsin personal injury law allows accident victims to seek compensation for the full extent of their damages, which may include:

  • Past, present, and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages from not being able to work 
  • Reduced earning capacity if they are left permanently disabled or unable to work 
  • Costs to repair or replace personal property that was damaged in the accident
  • Mileage and travel costs to medical appointments
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life 

In some cases, accident victims may be able to receive punitive damages, which are reserved for cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The court can award these damages when they want to punish the defendant for particularly bad behavior and also want to deter similar conduct in the future. 

The Role of an Appleton Personal Injury Lawyer

In short, the role of a personal injury attorney is to be an advocate for the injured and protect their best interests.  This involves dealing with insurance companies, making sure that the full extent and impact of your injuries are documented and accounted for, investigating how the injury occurred and who is legally responsible, and finally, making sure that you are fully compensated.  If a just settlement with an insurance company cannot be reached, your attorney can take the case to trial.

Deadlines for Personal Injury Claims in Appleton

If you are interested in pursuing your Appleton personal injury claim, it is important that you hire an attorney as soon as possible.  As time passes, evidence may be lost, witnesses may become unavailable or unreliable, and the insurance company may have more time to build a case against you.  An attorney can begin working on your behalf immediately and help protect your best interests.

Additionally, lawsuits involving personal injury cases must be filed within a certain time frame known as the statute of limitations. Under WI Stat § 893.54, the statute of limitations in Wisconsin for personal injury claims is three years in most cases.  However, this time limit can be longer or shorter depending upon the circumstances.

Taking swift action and hiring an attorney right away can help you make sure that every aspect of your case is investigated and all important deadlines are met.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Appleton

If you have been injured, you don’t have to struggle with the aftermath alone.  The Appleton personal injury lawyers at Mingo & Yankala, S.C. are here to listen to your story and fight for justice on your behalf. Please, call us today at 414-273-7400 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.