Drunk Driving Accident

Hit by a drunk driver? The Steve Caya personal injury team can help.

Every drunk driving crash impacts not only the people involved but their families and communities as well. If you were injured in an accident because of a drunk driver, it’s critical for you to contact an experienced attorney like myself to defend your claim.

Wisconsin has one of the highest drunk driving rates in the nation, and I fight for these accident victims frequently. I leverage my knowledge and experience garnered from over 33 years of personal injury law experience. I have established strong networks over the years, which include accident reconstruction experts, to determine how negligence played a part in your accident.

I understand the harm drunk driving accidents cause to individual lives and families. With true compassion for my clients, I fiercely fight for victims the compensation they need and deserve.

Frequently Asked Drunk Driving Accident Questions

What should I do after an accident with a drunk driver?

When a drunk driver is involved, the first step is always to call the police. Make sure to mention that the other driver is intoxicated and request an ambulance if necessary.

The second step, if you are able, is to gather as much information as you can – and document everything. Take notes and photos/videos of the vehicles, sustained injuries and the scene itself. If there are any eyewitnesses, talk to them and record their contact information.

The third step is to contact an attorney like myself. I can help guide you through the process of filing a claim while deflecting the insurance company from making absurdly low settlement offers or trying or playing hardball with you.

Should I sue a drunk driver?

If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk driver and the drunk driver was over 50% responsible for the accident, then yes – absolutely. You deserve support and compensation for your physical and emotional injuries as well as for all of the additional costs that come with being the victim of a drunk driving accident like:

Loss of income
Medical expenses
Property damage

When the insurance company is trying to deny your claim or if the drunk driver was also uninsured, it is especially important to have a strong legal team to help you navigate the process.

DUI charges can lead to a conviction and harsh penalties under state laws, but in order to negotiate a settlement in a civil lawsuit, your case must prove the drunk driver’s negligence was the cause of the crash. There are several Wisconsin car accident laws affecting how a claim is filed and the amount of compensation you may be able to recover.

How long do I have to file my claim?

In Wisconsin you have three years (starting from when you were injured) to file a personal injury claim. Your case doesn’t have to resolve within three years, just get filed. It’s in your own best interest to get started as soon as possible, as the longer you wait, the harder it is to gather evidence supporting your claim. Also, the longer you wait, the less bargaining power you have in settlement negotiations. When the time’s up and you no longer have the right to file a lawsuit, you’ll be stuck with whatever the insurance company is willing to offer.

You deserve financial support while you pick up the pieces after a horrific and life-changing accident. The sooner I can help you file, the better.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

The first thing my team and I will do is help you determine if you have a case. Personal Injury Claims require 3 things:

The party at fault for the accident was negligent.
When the law is involved, negligence means a failure to behave with a reasonable amount of care.
Their negligence directly caused your injury.
Here we prove that your injury directly correlates to the other party’s negligence.
There is proof that your injuries caused you harm.
Medical bills, missed work, headaches and any emotional distress (such as insomnia, or anxiety when driving) would all have to be proven.

How does “fault” affect my settlement?

Proving fault in Wisconsin is required if you want to successfully claim compensation for your injuries. The amount of damages available to the victim is reduced by the percentage of blame they share. Under comparative negligence law, you can only file a personal injury claim if you’re 50% or less at fault for the accident. It’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side to make sure you’re not unfairly found at fault.

How long will it take to get my settlement?

It actually takes hardly any time at all, if you’re willing to settle for less than you deserve. Don’t get too hung up plugging in the specifics of your case into an online ‘calculator’ to see potential settlement amounts. Settlement mills and insurance companies rely on your vulnerability to rush your case, settle ASAP, and take their cut without a care for YOUR compensation. I hear stories all the time of victims who are “sold” a promise for a quick settlement from a “sign-and-settle” lawyer who doesn’t have your best interest at heart.

While most personal injury lawyers will charge up to $500 per hour to provide their legal services, I understand that this isn’t feasible for most people when you already have medical bills piling up, likely offset by time off work. That’s why I operate under a No-win, No-fee policy.

If you don’t win compensation in your case, you don’t owe me anything.

We take winning personally.

Let’s get you EVERYTHING you’re owed.

Let’s Make Them Pay

2 1/2 Years ago my life was turned upside-down. I called lawyer after lawyer that never cared to call me back until I called Steven Caya's office and they got back to me right away. When he said he would take my case it was such a sigh of relief. Steven and his team were there for me every step of the way after my accident and I never felt left out. They always kept me so informed! I'm hoping I will never need them again but if I did I would 100% go back! Thank you all so much for your care and support during such a rough time!!

Andrea Perrault