Personal injury law grants individuals the opportunity to hold negligent parties financially accountable for any damages that their actions cause. Although this is a simple concept, the proceedings can be complicated. For example, if a settlement cannot be reached, the hurt party will have to take the case to trial to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. If you find yourself in this situation, turn to the accidents and personal injury team at Osborne, Tripp & Schmidt for strategic legal guidance every step of the way. Below, they share just a few factors to keep in mind before getting started.

A Guide to Accidents & Personal Injury Lawsuits

1. You Have a Tight Deadline

If you tried to reach a settlement outside of court but failed, it’s essential to file a lawsuit as soon as possible. Depending on how long the negotiations took, you could be running out of time to bring the case to court. In the state of Wisconsin, accident victims typically have three years from the date of the incident to file a suit against the liable party. 

2. You Must Prove Liability & Damages

The two main components of any successful personal injury claim are liability and damages. To secure compensation, you must prove that the opposing party owed you a duty of care and that a subsequent breach of this duty was directly responsible for the incident that caused your injuries. Then, you must prove that the harm you sustained resulted in quantifiable damages for which you are seeking financial reparation.

3. You Do Not Have to Go It Alone

Building a successful personal injury lawsuit is a considerable amount of work. Fortunately, a seasoned attorney can handle all the logistics of the case, so you can focus on recovering. This includes interviewing witnesses, gathering medical records, locating surveillance or dash cam footage of the scene, calculating damages, and reaching a fair settlement. Even if you take the case to trial, you will still have the opportunity to negotiate before the judge hands down a verdict.

If you want to learn more about accidents and personal injury law or are ready to file a lawsuit, turn to Osborne, Tripp & Schmidt. Located in Sparta, WI, the attorneys at this full-service firm help hurt parties secure the compensation they deserve. Their experienced legal team also practices criminal defense, as well as bankruptcy and family law. Visit their website or call (608) 269-2400 to schedule an initial consultation with an accidents and personal injury lawyer today.