When you've been injured in an accident in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, understanding the statute of limitations is crucial to protecting your legal rights and securing fair compensation. The Wisconsin statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically three years from the date of the accident, meaning victims have this limited timeframe to either settle their claim or file a lawsuit in court.

This critical deadline encompasses various types of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall incidents, product liability claims, and medical malpractice cases. Understanding the nuances of these time limits becomes particularly important when dealing with complex situations such as claims against government entities, which require written notice within 120 days, or cases involving the discovery rule where injuries may not manifest immediately. The full extent of some injuries may not be immediately apparent and may result in medical costs and other damages that you did not initially know about, such as traumatic brain injuries or conditions like mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to seek compensation, regardless of the severity of your injuries or the strength of your case.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin's statute of limitations laws range from two to six years depending on the type of case, with personal injury claims governed by Section 893.54 Wisconsin Statutes. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Wisconsin Statutes section 895.045, allowing victims to recover damages only when their level of responsibility for the accident is less than that of the other party. Key legal considerations include understanding that commencing an action means filing a lawsuit in court, not simply filing an insurance claim, and that special rules apply for minors and mentally incompetent individuals who may have extended timeframes.

Wisconsin's auto insurance laws require three specific types of coverage: liability, underinsured motorist, and uninsured motorist coverage, with minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 total for injuries. Wisconsin has specific damage caps, including $750,000 for noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases and $250,000 for claims against state employees. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and in severe cases, punitive damages. Wisconsin Statute 346.70 requires immediate reporting of accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding specific thresholds, and victims must be aware that government liability claims have significantly shorter notice requirements and damage caps. An experienced Fond du Lac County personal injury law firm will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

• Fond du Lac County car accident attorney;
• Fond du Lac County pedestrian accident attorney;
• Fond du Lac County motorcycle accident lawyer;
• Fond du Lac County truck accident lawyer;
• Fond du Lac County bicycle accident attorney;

Related Resources

Local Courts:

• Fond du Lac County Circuit Court: 160 S. Macy Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, Phone: (920) 929-3038
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (serves Fond du Lac County)

Support Services for Accident Victims:

• Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Crime Victim Services: Phone: 800-446-6564
• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Victim Services
• Wisconsin Crime Victim Compensation Program (up to $40,000 for medical, counseling, and other expenses)
• Victim-Witness Assistance Program: 1-888-415-9821 (toll free)

State Traffic Laws and Regulations:

• Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 346 "Rules of the Road"
• Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter TRANS 100 "Accident reporting and safety responsibility"
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Accident Reporting Requirements
• Wisconsin State Law Library Traffic Accidents Resources

Return to the Fond du Lac County injury law help page