What Does "Damages" Mean In Personal Injury?

You did everything right—you followed the rules of the road, carried the right insurance, and drove responsibly. But when an uninsured driver crashes into you, suddenly, you are the one left dealing with the financial and emotional fallout. That’s not fair.

At Natasha Misra Law, we fight to make sure you don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence. If you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver in Fond du Lac, Appleton, Green Bay, or anywhere else in Wisconsin, you still have options—and we’re here to help.

What Happens When an At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?

Wisconsin law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone follows the rules. If an uninsured driver causes an accident, you may worry about who will pay for your medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. The good news is that you still have options to recover compensation.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage – This is included in every Wisconsin auto policy and helps cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the other driver is uninsured.
Collision coverage – If you have this optional coverage, your insurance can pay for repairs or replacement of your vehicle.
Legal action against the at-fault driver – While many uninsured drivers lack assets, an experienced attorney can explore whether pursuing a lawsuit is a viable option.

Insurance companies will try to minimize what they owe you, even under your own policy. That’s why having an experienced Milwaukee car accident lawyer on your side is crucial.

Steps to Take After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver

If you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver, taking the right steps can protect your claim and improve your chances of full compensation:

Call the police – A police report will document the accident and confirm that the other driver lacks insurance.
Get medical attention – As soon as there is the onset of injury, it is important to get checked out for your injuries.
Gather evidence – Take photos, collect witness statements, and document your injuries.
Notify your insurance company – You should notify your insurance company of an accident, but it is best to do so only after consulting an attorney.
Consult a car accident lawyer – Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. A skilled car wreck lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?

Even if the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can still pursue compensation for:

Medical expenses – Emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing treatments
Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working
Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
Vehicle repairs or replacement – Through your own collision coverage or legal action against the driver

Every car accident case is different, but at Natasha Misra Law, we work to maximize every dollar of compensation available under Wisconsin law.

How a Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Handling an uninsured driver accident alone can be overwhelming. Insurance companies may pressure you into settling for less than you deserve. Natasha Misra Law fights for accident victims across Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, and beyond.

We help make sure you receive full compensation under your uninsured motorist policy
We fight back against insurance companies that try to minimize your claim
We offer personalized legal representation so you know your rights and options
We work with translation services to serve clients in Spanish, Burmese, Rohingya, and more to ensure everyone gets the legal support they need

Injured by an Uninsured Driver? Get an Accident Attorney Who’s Not Just Another Suit

An uninsured driver’s mistake shouldn’t leave you struggling financially. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, we’re ready to fight for you. Contact Natasha Misra Law for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.

If you’ve been injured and are thinking about hiring a Milwaukee personal injury attorney, you may have heard legal terms like “damages,” and you might be wondering what exactly this means.

What are damages in a personal injury suit? How are they calculated, and what kind of damages can you get for your injuries? In this blog post, we discuss everything you need to know below.

What Are Damages? Explaining The Basics

Generally, the term “damages” or “injury damages” refers to the monetary payments made to an injured person to compensate them for their injuries and losses. These damages vary, but usually include the following:

Medical expenses, such as payments for hospital bills
Replacing or fixing damaged property like a totaled vehicle in a car accident
Lost wages or future lost earning capacity due to an inability to work
Compensatory damages for pain and suffering, both physical and mental
Punitive damages levied by a judge to punish the defendant and discourage them of such future behavior
Funeral costs and compensation for emotional distress if a person dies due to their injuries

It’s important to note that a defendant must be found liable for the injury for damages to be levied. In other words, the plaintiff must be able to prove that they were negligent and at fault before these damages can be recovered.

How Are Damages Calculated?

There is no specific formula or method for calculating damages under Wisconsin law. This means that the amount of compensation can vary quite a bit. In general, though, the amount will be higher for more severe injuries.

So, as an example, experiencing multiple broken bones and head trauma in a car accident will usually result in higher compensation than if you were injured due to a slip and fall and broke your wrist.

However, the amount of damages you can actually recover may depend on the policy limits of your insurance or the insurance and personal assets of the person responsible for causing your injuries.

How Are Damages Proven In A Personal Injury Case?

There are a variety of different ways that a plaintiff may present evidence to prove that they deserve a certain amount of compensation. Among other things, a plaintiff may use:

Medical bills and medical records
Expert testimony, such as testimony or evaluations from a doctor
Their own testimony and that of loved ones and family members
Photo documentation of injuries and/or damage to property
Documentation of missed work for lost wage claims

The Responsibility Of An Injury Victim To Mitigate Damages With Medical Care

Even if you have been injured due to the negligent or intentional actions of another person, you have the duty to minimize and mitigate damages. This means that you must take steps to reduce the effects of your injuries and losses. This duty requires you to act as an “ordinary and reasonable” person would.

For example, you must seek medical help and continue to follow a medical treatment plan if you have been injured. Or, if you have lost your job due to an accident but are able to work, you may be expected to seek other employment.

If a plaintiff fails in this duty to mitigate damages, this will be taken into account at court, and their damages may be reduced accordingly.

Get Help From A Milwaukee Personal Injury Attorney – Contact Natasha Misra Law!

If you need an experienced personal injury attorney in Milwaukee, Natasha Misra is here to help. Natasha and the team at Natasha Misra Law can help you document your injuries, collect evidence, and present the best possible case while pursuing a personal injury claim.

We’re always here to help, so contact us online to get the assistance and legal advice you need as you pursue the damages you deserve in Milwaukee or anywhere else in Wisconsin.

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.