Car accidents happen every day in Wisconsin, and Stevens Point is no exception. From busy intersections near Division Street and Highway 10 East, to slick roads along I-39 in the winter, residents face real risks when heading out on local streets and highways.
A Stevens Point, Wisconsin car accident lawyer at Anderson O’Brien, LLP knows how quickly a routine drive can turn into months of medical bills, vehicle repairs, and missed work.
For more than 135 years, our firm has helped injury victims across Central Wisconsin recover the compensation they need to move forward after someone else’s careless or reckless driving caused harm.
Our team has a strong track record of helping clients through every step of the personal injury claims process. We focus on what matters most—securing the financial support you need to handle the damage from the crash and get back to your life.
Having a local attorney makes a difference. We know the roads, the courts, the insurance adjusters, and the community. If you’ve been in a crash someone else caused, contact Anderson O’Brien,LLP today for a free consultation. You won’t owe us anything unless we recover money for you.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin Car Accident Guide
- What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Stevens Point?
- Common Types of Car Accidents in Stevens Point
- How Can a Stevens Point Car Accident Attorney Help My Case?
- Wisconsin Car Accident Laws You Need to Know
- What Compensation Can I Recover After a Stevens Point Car Accident?
- The Insurance Claim Process for Wisconsin Car Accidents
- Why Choose a Local Stevens Point Attorney for Your Car Accident Case?
- How Long Will My Stevens Point Car Accident Case Take?
- Contact Our Skilled Stevens Point Car Crash Attorneys Now
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Stevens Point?
After a crash, what you do next can affect your health and your ability to recover money for your losses. Staying calm and focused helps you make the right decisions.
Document the Accident Scene Thoroughly
Use your phone to take pictures of everything: your vehicle, the other vehicles involved, skid marks, road conditions, and nearby signs or landmarks. In Stevens Point, accidents often happen near intersections like Main and Division, the interstate, and Highway 10 East. Photos and videos from these scenes can help show what happened and who’s responsible.
Seek Medical Attention Even for Minor Injuries
Even if you feel fine, get checked out. Some injuries—like concussions or soft tissue damage—don’t show symptoms right away. Letting a doctor look you over protects your health and creates a record linking your injuries to the crash.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Your insurer needs to know about the crash. Be honest, but stick to the facts. Don’t guess, speculate, or admit fault. A simple statement like “The other driver ran the red light on Clark Street and hit me” is better than saying “I think I might’ve been going too fast.”
Avoid Making Statements That Could Affect Your Claim
After a crash, you might feel tempted to apologize—even when you didn’t do anything wrong. But statements like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you” can be used against you later. Talk to your lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company, even your own.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Stevens Point
Not all crashes happen the same way, but certain patterns show up again and again across the Stevens Point area.
Intersection Collisions at Busy Stevens Point Crossroads
Spots like Division Street, Main Street, Clark Street, Michigan Avenue, and Highway 10 East see frequent traffic. When drivers run red lights or roll through stop signs, crashes often happen. These collisions usually involve serious injuries due to side impacts.
Winter Weather-Related Accidents in Central Wisconsin
Snow and ice increase stopping distances and reduce control. Even careful drivers can slide on slippery roads along the interstate or in town. But when someone drives too fast for conditions, that choice puts others in danger.
Highway Crashes on I-39 and Highway 10
These major roads carry high-speed traffic and heavy vehicles. Merging problems, distracted driving, and tailgating often lead to rear-end or sideswipe accidents. Crashes at highway speeds usually cause more damage and severe injuries.
Rear-End Collisions and Their Common Causes
Inattention, texting while driving, or following too closely are the top causes of rear-end accidents. These crashes happen often near school zones, traffic lights, or in stop-and-go traffic on streets like Church Street or Michigan Street.
How Can a Stevens Point Car Accident Attorney Help My Case?
A car crash leaves you with a pile of problems—injuries, bills, insurance calls, and legal questions. A lawyer handles the legal side so you can focus on healing.
Conducting a Thorough Investigation of Your Accident
Anderson O’Brien, LLP gathers evidence, speaks with witnesses, and reviews police reports to build a clear timeline. No matter where in Central Wisconsin the accident occured, we know how to find the facts.
Managing All Communication with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies look for ways to limit payouts. Our team handles all phone calls, paperwork, and negotiations so you don’t have to stress over what to say—or what not to say. You can focus on healing and we will take care of the rest.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Current and Future Damages
We work with doctors, financial experts, and life care planners to put a real number on what you’ve lost—and what you’ll need to cover treatment, missed work, and more in the months or years ahead.
Building a Compelling Case Based on Wisconsin Law
Our attorneys know what it takes to hold the other driver and their insurer accountable under state law. From comparative fault to liability rules, we apply Wisconsin statutes to support your case.
Wisconsin Car Accident Laws You Need to Know
Wisconsin has specific rules for car accident claims. These laws affect how much money you can recover and how long you have to take legal action.
Wisconsin's Comparative Negligence Rules
If more than one person shares blame for the crash, Wisconsin uses a modified comparative fault system. You can still recover money if you’re less than 51% at fault—but your compensation will be reduced by your share of blame.
Statute of Limitations for Filing Car Accident Claims
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Miss this deadline, and you could lose your right to pursue compensation, even if your injuries are serious.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin
All drivers must carry minimum liability insurance:
- $25,000 for injuries or death to one person
- $50,000 for injuries or death to multiple people
- $10,000 for property damage
These amounts often don’t come close to covering the full cost of serious injuries.
How Policy Limits Affect Your Recovery
The at-fault driver’s policy sets a ceiling on how much their insurer will pay. If your losses go beyond that limit, you may need to pursue other sources of compensation—like your own underinsured motorist coverage or a personal injury lawsuit.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Stevens Point Car Accident?
A car accident causes more than just a dented fender. The law allows you to seek compensation for both the visible and hidden losses that follow a serious crash.
Medical Expenses and Ongoing Treatment Costs
Ambulance rides, emergency room visits, surgery, physical therapy—those bills add up fast. If your injuries require long-term care or follow-up treatment, those costs should be included in your claim too.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
If your injuries kept you out of work—or will affect your ability to do your job in the future—you can seek compensation for income you've already missed and what you’ll lose going forward.
Pain and Suffering Damages in Wisconsin Cases
While harder to measure than a hospital bill, the physical pain and emotional distress after a crash deserve fair consideration. Wisconsin law allows injured drivers to recover damages for these personal hardships.
Property Damage and Vehicle Replacement
You’re entitled to payment for car repairs or the full value of a totaled vehicle. Keep records of towing costs, rental car fees, and repair estimates to strengthen your claim.
The Insurance Claim Process for Wisconsin Car Accidents
Getting compensation after a crash usually starts with an insurance claim—but the process rarely runs smoothly.
Initial Filing and Documentation Requirements
You’ll need to notify your insurer and the at-fault driver’s insurer, submit medical records, repair estimates, and other proof of loss. Missing paperwork or delays can hold up your claim.
Common Insurance Company Tactics to Reduce Payouts
Insurance adjusters may downplay your injuries, shift blame, or ask for a recorded statement to use against you. Some might push a quick lowball offer in hopes you’ll take less than your claim’s full value.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement Amount
Our attorneys review all offers, counter with real numbers backed by evidence, and push for a full and fair payout. When insurers won’t cooperate, we make it clear they’ll need to explain their actions in court.
When Litigation Becomes Necessary
Sometimes the only way to get justice is by filing a lawsuit. When an insurer refuses to take responsibility or the at-fault party tries to dodge liability, our team prepares your case for trial and fights for your rights.
Why Choose a Local Stevens Point Attorney for Your Car Accident Case?
Not all law firms know what it’s like to drive these streets or work with these judges. Choosing a local attorney makes a big difference in how your case moves forward.
Knowledge of Local Roads, Traffic Patterns, and Common Accident Sites
From the sharp curves on Highway HH to school zones near SPASH, we know where crashes happen and why. That insight helps us understand the circumstances of your case right away.
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Established Relationships with Local Courts and Insurance Companies
We’ve worked in many Central Wisconsin county courts and dealt with the insurance reps who handle claims in Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Waupaca, Plover, Waushara County. That experience helps your case move faster and smoother.
Accessibility for In-Person Consultations and Updates
When you want to sit down face-to-face, we’re here. You don’t have to explain your story over a Zoom call to someone three cities away. We’re in your community, ready to meet and talk through the details.
Understanding of Central Wisconsin Community Needs
Anderson O’Brien, LLP has served Central Wisconsin for over 135 years. We know what matters to local families and what it takes to help them recover after a serious accident.
How Long Will My Stevens Point Car Accident Case Take?
Every case runs on its own timeline, depending on several factors. But we always aim to resolve things efficiently without cutting corners.
Factors That Determine Timeline for Resolution
The length of your case depends on how badly you were injured, how much treatment you need, and whether the insurance company disputes responsibility or damages.
Simple vs. Complex Case Expectations
If liability is clear and your injuries are fully documented, your case may settle in a few months. But more serious cases—or those involving multiple parties—can take longer to resolve.
Settlement Negotiations vs. Trial Timeframes
Most car accident cases settle outside of court. But when a lawsuit becomes necessary, it adds months (or more) to the timeline due to court schedules and legal procedures.
How Our Firm Works to Expedite Your Case
Anderson O’Brien, LLP keeps your case moving by staying on top of paperwork, pushing for timely responses, and preparing every case as if it may go to trial. That pressure often leads to faster and better settlements.
Contact Our Skilled Stevens Point Car Crash Attorneys Now
If someone else's poor decisions caused your injuries, don't wait to get help. The law limits how long you have to file a claim, and delays could affect your ability to recover compensation.
Anderson O’Brien, LLP offers free consultations to help you understand your options and what steps to take next. We work on a contingency fee basis—if we don’t recover money for you, you don’t pay us.
Call (715) 344-0890 today or fill out our contact form. Our team is ready to help car crash victims across Stevens Point protect their rights and secure what they need to move forward.