La Crosse
Fighting For Injury Victims in Wisconsin & Minnesota
Our La Crosse personal injury lawyers at Bye, Goff & Rohde are skilled trial attorneys with over 180 years of combined experience. We know that an injury can throw your life into disarray. Our attorneys are ready to be your advocates throughout the legal process of filing a claim or lawsuit.
Our approach is centered around understanding the unique aspects of each case. We take the time to listen to every detail from our clients, ensuring that we have a comprehensive grasp of their case. This allows us to tailor our legal strategies effectively.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our La Crosse personal injury attorneys.
Wisconsin and Minnesota Personal Injury Law
Wisconsin and Minnesota law specifies that contributory negligence can impact a case if the injured party is found to be more responsible for the accident than the defendant. This means that the accurate determination of negligence is crucial. We believe the people of Wisconsin and Minnesota deserve quality legal representation by personal injury attorneys willing to take the time to listen and understand their situations. Our attorneys have the experience and the courage to fight for you all the way to trial.
What Is Personal Injury?
“Personal injury” is a legal term that refers to physical or psychological harm caused by another person or entity’s negligence. It is an area of law that covers all types of accidents, injuries, and damages incurred due to negligent or intentional acts. Personal injury laws protect victims from bearing the financial burden and consequences of their injury or loss.
Injuries can range from minor bruises and contusions to severe physical or mental trauma that can result in permanent disability or death. Personal injuries can include emotional distress, mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and other psychological ailments. Medical costs associated with personal injuries are often high. They may consist of expenses for hospitalization, doctor visits, rehabilitation services, lost wages due to missed work days, damage to property, and other related costs.
Our La Crosse personal injury lawyers have helped countless clients recover the compensation they deserve for their losses since we opened our doors in 1974. Our firm has decades of experience successfully representing clients in all types of personal injury cases, including auto accidents, defective product liability claims, and premises liability claims like slip-and-fall incidents. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness in La Crosse, contact us today to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Negligence can lead to numerous possible injuries, so we offer representation in a wide variety of personal injury cases. We understand that when you need to file a claim or lawsuit, you need help as soon as possible and don’t have time to research attorneys, so we cover as many bases as possible.
Our areas of practice include:
This is not an exhaustive list, so if you have suffered an injury due to another party’s negligence, please schedule a free consultation to discuss your individual circumstances—our lawyers are prepared to assist you.
How Much Is My Injury Case Worth?
The amount you can receive in compensation for a personal injury claim depends on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys will carefully review all aspects of your situation and work to maximize the potential for recovery to help you get through this difficult time.
We will evaluate numerous factors, such as:
- The nature and extent of damages sustained
- Official documents, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Financial losses, such as past and future medical expenses, and lost wages from missed work due to injuries or disability
- Pain and suffering endured by the victim due to their injuries
- Any long-term physical or mental impairments resulting from the incident
Our attorneys are dedicated to pursuing fair compensation. We have decades of experience representing clients in various personal injury scenarios throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota, giving us unique insight into what constitutes full and fair compensation.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Win My Case?
Hiring a personal injury attorney is crucial to both the potential success of your claim and the amount of damages you stand to collect. The other party and their insurer will do what they can to pay out as little as possible. Without a skilled and experienced negotiator, you may be pressured to accept a lower settlement than that to which you are entitled. We are experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and other parties responsible for compensating you for your losses. We can refuse to accept any offer that does not fully cover your losses and take your claim to trial if necessary.
We provide experienced counsel and reliable legal advice. We understand the complexities and nuances of personal injury law and can help ensure your rights are respected.
Our team will ensure that all evidence is properly gathered, including medical records, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and photographs. We will work closely with expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf.
We can also identify additional liable parties to maximize your potential compensation.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Claim?
The types of damages you can claim depend on the specifics of your case but, generally, they will fall into one of two categories – special damages (often referred to as “economic damages”) and general damages (often referred to as “non-economic damages”).
Special damages usually include things like medical expenses and lost wages due to being unable to work. General damages are those associated with pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of companionship or consortium.
Special damages could include:
- Medical expenses (including hospital bills, doctor visits, and medication costs)
- Lost wages
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries (such as transportation costs)
In other words, special damages cover tangible losses that are easily quantifiable—losses with an associated price tag.
General damages typically awarded in a Wisconsin and Minnesota personal injury case include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish caused by the accident/injury
- Loss of enjoyment of life resulting from an inability to participate in activities previously enjoyed before being injured
General losses are typically more abstract and are therefore measured using a multiplier system.
In some instances, victims may also be entitled to punitive damages that are not intended to compensate but rather punish wrongdoers for particularly egregious conduct. However, punitive damages are rarely awarded in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Local Resources & Impact of Weather on Personal Injuries
La Crosse is known for its scenic beauty, yet its seasonal weather, particularly snowy and icy conditions, can contribute to accidents. Local highways, such as Interstate 90 and US Highway 53, frequently experience heavy traffic, increasing the risk of vehicular accidents during winter months. Understanding local weather patterns and how they impact driving conditions is crucial for building strong personal injury claims.
In addition to road conditions, various local resources are available to assist residents, such as the local police and fire departments, which provide essential accident response and management. Local hospitals, including Gundersen and Mayo Clinic Health System, offer comprehensive care for injury victims. Our familiarity with these local entities allows us to coordinate elements of your claim, ensuring robust advocacy effectively.
Contact Bye, Goff & Rohde today to get started with our La Crosse personal injury attorneys.