You’re heading down Milton Avenue, on your way to work when a distracted driver runs a red light at Court Street. In seconds, your car’s totaled and you’re in severe pain from a fractured arm and ribcage. Because your injuries are so serious, you spend days at Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center and incur high medical bills as a result.

At Nowlan Personal Injury Law, we help Janesville residents like you hold reckless drivers and insurance companies accountable after a preventable crash. We know how local claims adjusters think, which evidence is most compelling in a car accident claim, and what it takes to get real results for Janesville drivers.

Why Hire Us for Your Car Accident Claim in Janesville?

Getting rear-ended near the Pontiac Convention Center or T-boned leaving the Walmart lot is traumatic enough. Don’t let the aftermath get worse by hiring a firm that rushes your case or avoids the courtroom. At Nowlan Personal Injury Law, we’re not here to settle fast. We’re here to win strong. Here’s why Janesville clients trust us with their car accident claims:

• We Get Results: We’ve recovered over $74 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients. That includes car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and more. Few personal injury teams in Southern Wisconsin have such a solid track record.
• Real Access to Real Attorneys: You won’t get passed off to a case manager or stuck in voicemail loops. When you hire us, you speak directly with your Janesville car accident lawyer. We believe in one-on-one communication because it leads to better outcomes and stronger trust.
• We’ve Been on the Inside: Our personal injury attorneys began their careers defending insurance companies. We know their strategies, delay tactics, and playbooks and use that knowledge to benefit our clients.
• We Don’t Settle Just to Settle: Plenty of personal injury law firms take the first offer and move on. Not us. We’re known in Rock County courts for being tough negotiators and even tougher litigators. If your case belongs in a courtroom, we’ll take it there and fight to maximize your compensation.
• No Fees Unless You Win: You don’t pay us anything upfront. We only get paid if you recover money. That means our goals are fully aligned with yours. We focus on winning your case for every dollar it’s worth.

How a Janesville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Claim

You may be wondering whether you even need a personal injury lawyer for your insurance claim. If the damage looks minor or the other driver admits fault, can’t you handle it yourself and save money on attorney fees?

Legally, yes. But unless the auto accident only involved minor vehicle damage, it’s not a good idea. A Janesville car accident lawyer protects your rights, builds a stronger case, and makes sure you don’t get shortchanged. Here’s how a local attorney adds value to your case:

• Handles the Insurance Carriers: Insurance companies have teams trained to protect their bottom line. Your lawyer levels the field by assigning a fair value to your personal injury claim and deterring any tactic to reduce your payout.
• Proves Fault and Builds Evidence:  Fault isn’t always obvious, and insurance companies will use any doubt to delay or deny liability. An experienced lawyer collects accident reports, medical records, accident scene photos, and expert input to prove the at-fault driver’s responsibility.
• Calculates the Full Value of Your Claim: Beyond medical bills, you may be owed for missed work, future care, and pain that affects your daily life. A lawyer knows how to put a number on what the motor vehicle accident truly cost you.
• Meets Legal Deadlines: The Wisconsin statute of limitations indicates how long you have to file. A lawyer makes sure your claim is filed correctly and on time, avoiding delays that can derail your case.
• Represents You in Court if Needed: If the insurance company won’t settle fairly, your lawyer is prepared to take your case to trial. That pressure alone often leads to better settlement offers.

Car Accident Cases We Handle in Janesville

Some car accidents happen at a red light near Menards. Others involve a totaled vehicle and life-altering injuries on Highway 11. A local car accident lawyer knows how to approach each type of claim for the strongest result. Here’s an overview of the most common auto accident cases we handle  in Janesville:

• Rear-End Collisions: Usually caused by distracted driving or tailgating, rear-end accidents may seem minor at first, but they can lead to long-term neck and back injuries that aren’t always obvious right away. A lawyer helps link those injuries to the crash and makes sure they aren’t dismissed by insurers.
• Intersection Accidents: Janesville intersections like Five Points and Court Street are hot spots for side-impact collisions. These incidents often involve disputes over traffic signals, right of way, or failure to yield. Proving fault can be tricky without video or eyewitnesses, but a car accident attorney gathers police reports, crash reconstructions, and traffic patterns to make the case stick.
• Head-On Collisions: Crashes on county roads outside Janesville or wrong-way drivers near the I-90 ramps can cause devastating injuries. Head-on collisions usually mean totaled vehicles and long-term medical care. These cases often bring higher damages but also more aggressive pushback from insurance companies. An experienced lawyer knows how to document your financial losses and fight for full compensation.
• Drunk or Distracted Driving Accidents: Whether someone was texting at the wheel or driving impaired after a night out, these crashes are entirely preventable. Cases involving drugs, alcohol, or distracted driving often incur punitive damages and criminal charges. A lawyer makes sure all evidence is preserved and used to your advantage.
• Multi-Vehicle Collisions:  Pileups on I-90 or chain-reaction crashes on East Racine Street raises questions about who hit whom and when. More than one driver may be at fault, and multiple insurance policies may apply. A lawyer untangles the confusion, assigns clear liability, and makes sure you don’t get blamed for someone else’s mistake.
• Hit-and-Run or Uninsured Driver Claims: If the driver fled the scene or had no coverage, you may still have options through your own uninsured motorist policy. But strict notice deadlines and policy rules apply. A lawyer makes sure your claim is filed correctly, on time, and includes all available benefits.

If your accident happened in Janesville or anywhere in Rock County, the type of crash will shape your entire claim. Knowing how to handle each situation the right way is where a Janesville car accident lawyer makes the biggest impact.

What to Do After a Car Accident

The minutes after a crash are overwhelming. You’re shaken, confused, and unsure of what to do next. But the steps you take right after the accident can impact your claim, so staying focused can help protect your well-being and your legal rights. Here’s what to do after a car accident in Janesville:

• Call 911 Immediately:  Always report the accident. The police will come to document the scene and create an official report. This report becomes key evidence when filing a claim or proving fault.
• Get Medical Attention: Even if you feel okay, get checked out by a medical professional, as some injuries take hours or days to show up. Visiting a doctor also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the crash.
• Take Photos and Videos: Use your phone to capture damage, skid marks, traffic signs, injuries, and vehicle positions. Visual evidence helps show how the crash happened and how serious it was.
• Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance info. Also, collect names and numbers of any witnesses to the motor vehicle collision.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Stay calm and polite, but do not say anything that sounds like an apology or admission. Even a casual “I didn’t see you” can be used against you later.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Let your insurer know about the accident as soon as possible. Just stick to the facts and avoid giving recorded statements until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
• Talk to a Lawyer Before Accepting a Settlement: Insurance companies often rush to offer a low payout. Once you accept, you can’t ask for more later. A car accident lawyer helps you understand what your case is worth and protects you from being underpaid.

Following these steps gives you a stronger foundation for any claim that comes next. The goal is to protect your health first, then your financial recovery.

What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Janesville?

There’s no one-size-fits-all number, but most car accident settlements in Janesville fall between $15,000 and $100,000. Minor injury claims may land on the lower end, while cases involving surgery, long-term care, or permanent damage can exceed six figures. Some settlements in Rock County have reached over $1 million, depending on severity and liability.

The final amount depends on several factors:

• Severity of Injuries: The more serious the bodily injury, the higher the settlement potential. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or anything requiring surgery increases your case value. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash may result in lower payouts unless complications arise.
• Medical Treatment: Emergency care, physical therapy, hospital stays, medication, follow-up visits, and long-term rehabilitation all impact your claim. Insurance companies look closely at how much treatment you received, who provided it, and how closely it’s tied to the crash.
• Lost Wages: If you miss work, even for a few days, you may be entitled to recover that lost income. In more serious cases, if the accident limits your ability to work or forces you into a lower-paying job, your settlement can reflect that long-term loss.
• Fault and Liability: Wisconsin follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover financial compensation. If your degree of fault is less than 50%, your recovery is reduced accordingly.
• Insurance Coverage: The at-fault driver’s policy sets a cap on how much their insurer will pay. If they carry minimum coverage, and your damages exceed it, you may need to turn to your own underinsured motorist policy. A lawyer can help identify all available sources of coverage.

While averages can give a general idea, your specific case is based on the details. One bodily injury on Center Avenue might settle for $20,000, while a similar crash near I-90 could bring in ten times that, depending on the evidence and injury severity. Your Janesville car accident lawyer can give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of fair compensation.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Janesville Car Accident Lawyer?

Most car accident lawyers in Janesville work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket while your case is in progress. The lawyer only gets paid if they win your case or secure a settlement. If there’s no recovery, you don’t owe attorney fees. Here’s how it typically works:

• Contingency Fee Percentage: The standard fee is usually a percentage of the total settlement or court award. The exact amount may depend on the case details or whether it goes to trial. This fee structure aligns your lawyer’s interests with yours, as they only get paid when you do.
• Case Expenses:  In addition to legal fees, there are costs related to building your case. They may include expert witness fees, medical records, filing fees, accident reconstruction, and court costs. Some law firms cover these expenses upfront and deduct them from your settlement. Others may ask you to cover certain costs as they come up. Always ask about this during your consultation.
• Free Consultations: Nearly every personal injury lawyer in Janesville offers a free initial consultation. This is your chance to ask questions, understand your options, and decide whether the lawyer is a good fit. There’s no obligation to move forward.

A reputable lawyer will be clear about fees, percentages, and what you can expect to pay. You should receive a written agreement outlining everything before they begin work on your case.

Get a Free Consultation From a Janesville Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can change your life. Medical bills, missed work, and pain make it hard to move forward, especially when insurance companies are working against you. At Nowlan Personal Injury Law, we’re ready to stand up for you. With over $74 million recovered for injured clients and deep roots in Janesville, we know how to handle tough cases and win fair results. We don’t charge anything upfront, and we don’t get paid unless you do. Schedule your free initial consultation now by calling (866) 211-2126.