Experiencing a car accident can be a traumatic and overwhelming event, especially if you've been rear-ended. Understanding the proper steps to take after a rear-end collision is crucial. This guide will walk you through the essential actions you should consider, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional legal assistance from a Milwaukee car accident attorney to navigate the aftermath.

Ensure Safety First

Immediately after a rear-end collision, prioritize your safety and the safety of others involved. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, turn on hazard lights, and check for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call emergency services immediately.  

File an Accident Report

Contact the local police to report the accident and make sure an official report is filed. The accident report can serve as a crucial piece of evidence when dealing with insurance claims or legal matters.  Depending on the severity of the accident, law enforcement may or may not come to the scene.  If possible, it is preferred for law enforcement to respond to the scene to conduct an investigation of the accident.  If law enforcement does not come to the scene, then you should self-report the accident at the police station or online.  

Exchange Information

Exchange information with the other party involved in the accident. Get their name, contact details, and insurance information, and note the make, model and license plate of their vehicle. During this process, be sure to not admit to anything to the other party as that could be used against you later. Gathering contact information will be crucial when filing a claim with insurance or if legal action becomes necessary.

Document the Scene

Take pictures of the accident scene, including all vehicles involved, any visible damage, and the surrounding area. Note the weather conditions, traffic signals, and any relevant road signs. These details can serve as valuable evidence later on.  Also, obtain the name and contact information for any witnesses to the accident.  

Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to seek medical attention at the onset of injury. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not manifest symptoms until hours or days after the accident. Documenting your injuries will be important for both your health and any potential legal proceedings. Take photos of any bruising or visible injuries.  

Contact Natasha Misra Law Today

Navigating the legal complexities of a car accident case, especially if you've been rear-ended, can be challenging. A Milwaukee car accident attorney can help you by negotiating with insurance companies and getting you the compensation you deserve. 

Being rear-ended in Milwaukee can lead to a range of challenges, but taking the right steps immediately following the accident can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Natasha Misra Law is your ally in securing compensation for any damages and navigating the complexities of the legal process.

If you are injured on the job, you may wonder how to go about seeking compensation for your losses. Who is responsible for your injuries? What are the potential sources of recovery?

You may have heard of personal injury claims and workers comp lawsuits - both of which can reimburse an injured victim for damages sustained in work-related injuries. However, what many people don’t know is that these two types of claims are vastly different. In this blog post, we will break down the differences between them. 

What is the Difference between Workers Compensation and Personal Injury?

The most straightforward way to distinguish the two claims is the issue of fault. Personal injury claims are based on fault, while workers comp claims are not.

Accidents often happen when no one is at fault. However, in a personal injury claim, you must establish that someone acted negligently and this negligence caused your injuries. You establish negligence by showing that the at-fault party owed you a duty of reasonable care, breached that duty, and that breach was a substantial factor in causing your injuries.

In a workers comp claim, however, the traditional negligence analysis does not necessarily apply. Any employee injured on the job is entitled to some payout from the employer’s workers compensation policy. While exceptions do apply, workers compensation generally has nothing to do with fault. In other words, you need not prove that your employer did anything wrong in order to recover some payout.

If I Get Workers Compensation, Can I Still File A Personal Injury Claim?

Generally, not against your employer. Workers comp claims are designed to compensate injured employees while protecting employers from lawsuits against them. As such, if you file a workers comp claim, you generally forfeit your right to sue your employer for negligence. There are a few narrow exceptions to this rule, however, so be sure to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about your rights.

However, if the negligence of a another party caused your injuries, then you may be able to also bring a third party liability claim against that party.

What is A Third Party Liability Claim?

When you are injured on the job, you can bring a workers compensation claim without having to prove fault. However, in some cases you can also bring a third party liability claim. This refers to a bodily injury caused by a third party’s negligent or reckless conduct.

These situations may arise when a third party unrelated to your employer causes the accident. A common example is when someone driving in the course of their employment gets hit by another party.

If you bring a third party liability claim, you will need to prove the third party’s fault. This involves walking through the traditional negligence analysis, just as you would in a personal injury lawsuit.

Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney after A Work-Related Injury

To better understand your case and which course of action is the best for you, contact an experienced Milwaukee personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you pinpoint the best approach for your case, identify liable parties, gather evidence, and preserve your claim before vital evidence fades or the statute of limitations tolls. 

Contact Natasha Misra Law today to schedule a free consultation by calling our office at (414) 210-3834.

Natasha Misra

My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.