One moment on a Wausau road can produce injuries, mounting medical bills, and an insurance process that moves faster than most injured people expect. At PKSD, we represent people in Wausau who have been hurt through no fault of their own, and our attorneys can evaluate your situation and explain your rights under Wisconsin law.
Our Wausau car accident lawyers investigate every detail of the crash, build the evidence needed to support your claim, and pursue the compensation available under Wisconsin law.
Legal Support After a Car Crash in Wausau
When a crash occurs, injured drivers and passengers face pressure from multiple directions at once: emergency care, vehicle repairs, missed work, and insurance adjusters trained to limit what a company pays out. Having an attorney on your side changes the dynamic and ensures someone is protecting your interests throughout the process.
A Wausau car accident attorney works with injured people at every stage of the claims process, from gathering evidence and reviewing police reports to negotiating with insurance companies and, when necessary, taking cases to court. The goal is to make sure the compensation pursued reflects the full cost of the crash, not just what an insurance company is willing to offer on the first call.
Common Causes and Injuries in Wausau Car Accidents
Crashes in the Wausau area reflect broader patterns seen across Wisconsin. According to the recent data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin recorded 509 fatal crashes, 24,500 injury crashes, and more than 16,500 speed-related crashes in a single year. Distracted driving contributed to over 9,000 crashes statewide, while alcohol and drug-impaired driving added thousands more. These numbers reflect the real daily risk that drivers in Wausau face every time they get behind the wheel.
Frequent Causes of Crashes
Crashes in the Wausau area often trace back to a predictable set of behaviors. The most common causes may include:
Distracted Driving: Texting, phone use, and other inattentive behaviors divert focus from traffic conditions at critical moments.
Speeding: Excess speed reduces stopping distance and magnifies the force of impact, increasing the likelihood of serious injury.
Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug use slow reaction time and impair judgment, two of the most essential functions behind the wheel.
Failure to Yield: Intersections across Wausau see frequent collisions due to drivers failing to yield the right of way.
Adverse Weather: Wisconsin winters bring ice, snow, and reduced visibility that require slower speeds and increased caution, conditions that many drivers underestimate.
Injuries range widely in severity. Rear-end crashes and side-impact collisions commonly produce whiplash, herniated discs, and soft tissue injuries, while higher-speed crashes can result in traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, or injuries that require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
What Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The actions taken in the hours and days following a crash can have a direct impact on the strength of a claim. Wisconsin law sets clear obligations for drivers involved in accidents.
Under Wisconsin Statute 346.67, any driver involved in a crash resulting in injury or vehicle damage must stop, remain at the scene, provide identifying information, and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured. Beyond those legal duties, the following steps can protect a future claim:
Call 911 Immediately: A police report creates an official record of the crash, which insurance companies and attorneys rely on during the claims process.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly: Even injuries that feel minor at the scene can worsen over time. A medical evaluation links your injuries to the crash and creates documentation that supports your claim.
Document the Scene: If you are able to do so safely, photograph vehicle positions, road conditions, damage, and any visible injuries.
Gather Witness Information: Names and contact details from anyone who observed the crash can provide important independent accounts of how the collision happened.
Avoid Discussing Fault: Do not admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to gather information that limits their company’s exposure.
Contact a Wausau Car Accident Lawyer in: Evidence disappears, memories fade, and Wisconsin’s statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing an automobile accident lawsuit. Early legal involvement protects your options.
Each of these steps can create a solid foundation for a claim. Taking them promptly after a crash puts injured people in a better position when negotiations with an insurer begin.
Building a Strong Car Accident Claim in Wisconsin
A strong claim is built on evidence, not assumptions. Depending on the case, our Wausaucar accident lawyers gather the documentation that tells a complete story of how the crash happened and what it has cost. That process usually involves reviewing the police report, obtaining surveillance or traffic camera footage when available, working with accident reconstruction professionals when necessary, and compiling all medical records and billing statements that connect treatment to the crash.
Insurance companies evaluate claims based on what can be documented and proven. When evidence is organized and consistent, it may be harder for an adjuster to dispute the extent of harm or argue that a claimant is overstating their damages. Thorough preparation from the outset is what separates a well-supported claim from one that stalls.
How Liability Is Determined
Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning an injured person may still recover compensation as long as they are not more at fault than the other party involved in the crash. If fault is shared, any compensation awarded is reduced in proportion to the claimant’s percentage of responsibility.
This rule matters because insurance companies often try to shift part of the blame onto the injured person to reduce what they have to pay. Having an attorney who understands how Wisconsin’s comparative fault system works can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of a claim.
Compensation You May Recover After a Crash
The losses that follow a car accident reach beyond the repair estimate on a vehicle. Compensation in a Wisconsin car accident claim typically reflects the financial losses caused by the crash and the personal impact on the injured person’s daily life.
Types of Damages Available
Wisconsin law allows injured people to pursue two primary categories of damages, such as:
Economic Damages: Past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation and physical therapy costs, lost wages during recovery, reduced earning capacity if a long-term disability results, and property damage to the vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact the injury has had on personal relationships and daily routines. Wisconsin courts recognize these as real and compensable harm even without invoices to document them.
Understanding what can be recovered is the first step toward knowing what a claim may actually be worth.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Serving Wausau Today
After a crash, time matters. Evidence disappears, deadlines approach, and insurance companies move quickly to protect their own interests. At PKSD, we represent injured people across Wausau and pursue the compensation they deserve under Wisconsin law. Contact our Wausau car accident lawyer team today at (414) 333-3333to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options.
Mr. Pitman is a member of the Nursing Home Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice. Mr. Pitman was President of the Wisconsin Association for Justice in 2013 and is a current member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He lectures extensively on nursing home abuse and neglect and has authored numerous articles in the area of personal injury litigation.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below or call us at (414) 333-3333.
No obligation. Available 24/7
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin.
About Us
PKSD is a Milwaukee personal injury law firm dedicated to helping injured individuals. We take a hands-on, client-focused approach and work closely with the people we represent from start to finish. We are committed to providing responsive service and strong legal advocacy when it matters most.
Areas We Serve
PKSD proudly serves clients throughout the state of Wisconsin. We represent individuals and families in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire, Wausau, and surrounding areas. No matter where you are located, our team is ready to help.
We’re Available 24/7 to Schedule Your Free Consultation