When you’re injured in a car accident, everything changes in an instant - your health, your finances, and your peace of mind. Whether the crash happened in Appleton, Green Bay, or anywhere else in Northern WI, we want to help. At Natasha Misra Law, we understand what you’re going through and are committed to helping you get back on your feet—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Let’s take a look at something that can become a major roadblock to your recovery, the insurance companies, and how a car accident attorney can help you.
When you’ve been in a car accident, insurance companies may seem helpful at first, but their primary goal is to minimize what they pay out. Here are some common tactics they use to deny or reduce your claim:
Offering a Quick, Lowball Settlement: Insurance companies often push for a quick settlement, offering a sum far lower than what you may actually need. They hope you’ll accept before realizing the full extent of your injuries and financial losses. It may seem tempting, especially if you have medical bills piling up, but accepting this early offer can leave you short on funds later when more expenses arise.
Disputing Liability: Even if it’s clear that the other driver was at fault, insurance companies might still try to argue that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident. In Wisconsin, your compensation can be reduced if you're found partially at fault due to the comparative negligence rule. Their goal is to reduce their liability and, ultimately, your payout.
Downplaying Your Injuries: Insurance adjusters often question the severity of your injuries, suggesting that they aren’t as serious as you claim or that they were pre-existing. They may request access to your medical records, hoping to find something that weakens your claim.
Delaying the Process: By dragging out the claims process, insurers hope you’ll become frustrated and settle for less just to resolve the situation. The longer they wait, the more desperate accident victims can become, leading them to accept a lower offer than they deserve.
Pressuring You to Make Recorded Statements: Insurance companies may ask for a recorded statement soon after the accident, hoping you’ll say something they can use against you later. These statements can be taken out of context and used to downplay the severity of the accident or your injuries.
Understanding these tactics is key to protecting your rights and making sure you receive the compensation you deserve. At Natasha Misra Law, we know how to deal with these insurance company strategies, and we’re here to fight for your best interests every step of the way. Don’t let them push you into a settlement that doesn’t reflect your true losses, let us handle the negotiations for you.
Natasha Misra didn’t just become a personal injury attorney by chance. Helping people has always been her passion. She saw the devastating effects car, motorcycle, and truck accidents could have on individuals and their families. People are often left facing mounting medical bills, long-term disabilities, and the loss of essential things like their ability to work or their only vehicle. Natasha founded her firm to make a difference in these people’s lives by offering personalized attention and aggressive representation, and she can help you too.
We want to get you back on your feet and on the road as soon as possible. Our Milwaukee law firm represents all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay unless we win. Contact Natasha Misra Law today for a free consultation. Let us help you secure the compensation you deserve. Your recovery starts here.
The 2-second rule is a technique used to estimate a safe following distance between your vehicle and the traffic ahead. It is a general rule of thumb taught in every driving school across the United States. The premise is that by following behind traffic by two seconds, you will have the time and space to brake safely.
This rule requires that you maintain a safe following distance regardless of your driving speed. To estimate a safe distance, wait until the rear end of the vehicle you're following to pass a fixed object, such as an overhead road sign, a signpost, or a tree.
When the car in front passes the landmark, the front of your vehicle should pass the same fixed point within the allotted two seconds. If you take less than two seconds, you should increase the distance. Repeat this method until you're able to maintain a distance of at least two seconds.
The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation also recommends drivers to adjust their driving to accommodate various road conditions. The DOT suggests using 3 seconds at night, and 4 seconds during bad weather. In addition, drivers should be more cautious when approaching intersections, changing lanes, and braking for a stop light.
Practicing the 2-second rule is essential for many reasons. Here are reasons why you should use this rule.
Reduce the Risk of Collisions
Generally, it can take you a second to discover that a car ahead has stopped. This leaves you with only a second to either take evasive action or bring your vehicle to a complete stop to avoid a possible collision. The 2-second rule can also reduce the severity of injuries in case of a crash.
Create a Safety Buffer
Sometimes it isn't easy to estimate the appropriate following distance or stop times that are suggested for a given speed. The 2-second rule provides an easy, common-sense method to handle these problems and create a buffer, improving road safety.
Avoid Aggressive Drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Council (NHTSC), aggressive driving causes collisions, injuries, and even fatalities, and it should be avoided. So if the person ahead is driving aggressively or tailgating, you may want to provide enough space to prevent emergencies. Remember that if the car you're following ends up in a crash, it'll be even more challenging for you to avoid rear-ending them.
The 2-second rule is a tried and true rule of thumb that has helped millions of motorists safely navigate roadways for years. However accidents are inevitable, and when they occur, you want to find a qualified attorney to represent you.
Natasha Misra Law fights for your rights to receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. We work with clients from Milwaukee, Madison, Hales Corners, Appleton, and Green Bay. Please contact us today to consult with our professional attorneys about your car accident.
My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.