The law that applies to a car accident may depend on where the crash occurred and other facts. Wisconsin and Minnesota both use comparative-fault rules, but their insurance systems differ. Wisconsin generally uses an at-fault system. Minnesota has a no-fault automobile insurance system in which Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP, may pay certain medical expenses and income-loss benefits regardless of who caused the crash, subject to the policy and state law.
A claim against an at-fault driver in Minnesota may also be affected by legal thresholds governing when certain non-economic losses can be pursued. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, PIP benefits, liability insurance, and other policies should be reviewed before a claim is resolved.
Do not assume that an insurer’s initial decision about fault or coverage is final. An attorney can evaluate the evidence, applicable state law, and every potentially available policy.
Car Accident Attorneys Serving Wisconsin and Minnesota
A serious car accident can leave you facing painful injuries, medical appointments, missed work, vehicle damage, and pressure from insurance companies. Even when another driver appears to be clearly at fault, disagreements may arise over how the crash happened, the extent of your injuries, or which insurance coverage applies.
Bosshard Parke represents people and families affected by car accidents throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota. Attorney Howard J. Eglash investigates the collision, identifies the responsible parties and available insurance coverage, documents the full effect of the injuries, and pursues fair compensation under the law that applies to the claim.
You do not have to manage the insurance process alone. Fill out the form to request a free consultation about your car accident claim.
Schedule A Free Personal Injury Consultation
What to Do After a Car Accident
Your safety and medical needs should come first. Once immediate dangers have been addressed, these steps may help protect important evidence and your ability to pursue a claim.
- Report the crash and seek medical care. Call 911 and get evaluated by a medical professional, even if your injuries do not seem serious immediately. Local 24-hour emergency departments include Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse, Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse and Sparta, Vernon Health in Viroqua, and Winona Health in Minnesota. In an emergency, follow the direction of first responders or go to the nearest appropriate emergency department.
- Document the scene when it is safe. Photograph or record the vehicles, damage, roadway, traffic controls, debris, weather conditions, visible injuries, and anything else that may help show how the collision occurred.
- Exchange and collect information. Obtain the other driver’s name, contact information, license plate number, and insurance information. Gather contact information from witnesses.
- Preserve records and property. Keep medical records, bills, receipts, repair estimates, photographs, damaged personal items, and records showing missed work or other financial losses.
- Be cautious with insurance communications. Provide required information, but avoid guessing, minimizing your symptoms, signing a broad authorization, or accepting a settlement before you understand the injuries and coverage available.
- Contact personal injury attorney Howard J. Eglash promptly. He can evaluate the facts, help preserve evidence, review applicable deadlines, and communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Understanding Your Car Accident Claim
-
Car accidents often result from a driver failing to use reasonable care. Common causes and collision types include:
- Distracted driving, including texting or other phone use
- Speeding or driving too fast for weather and road conditions
- Failure to yield at intersections or while turning
- Following too closely and rear-end collisions
- Unsafe lane changes and sideswipe collisions
- Impaired driving
- Running stop signs or traffic signals
- Head-on collisions and wrong-way driving
- Multi-vehicle and chain-reaction crashes
- Crashes involving rideshare or delivery-app drivers
Poor visibility, snow, ice, construction zones, deer, and dangerous roadway conditions may complicate the investigation. Weather or road conditions do not automatically excuse unsafe driving. Drivers are generally expected to adjust their conduct to the conditions they encounter.
Car Accident Laws and Insurance Differ Between Wisconsin and Minnesota
How Bosshard Parke Builds Your Car Accident Case
A strong car accident claim requires more than submitting bills to an insurance company. Bosshard Parke works to understand how the crash occurred, how the injuries changed your daily life, and what care and financial support may be needed in the future.
Car Accident Claims We Handle
- Rear-end, intersection, and head-on collisions
- Distracted, impaired, and aggressive driving crashes
- Multi-vehicle and chain-reaction accidents
- Rideshare and work-related vehicle accidents
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
- Serious-injury and fatal car accidents
Our Car Accident Case Process
Car Accidents That Happen While You Are Working
A person injured while driving for work may have more than one potential claim. Workers’ compensation may provide benefits related to a job injury, while a separate personal injury claim may be available against an at-fault driver who is not the injured person’s employer or co-worker. The interaction between these claims can affect medical bills, wage-loss benefits, reimbursement rights, and the final recovery.
Bosshard Parke can evaluate the accident, the employment relationship, and the available insurance to determine which claims may apply.
Meet Our Personal Injury Attorney
Attorney Howard J. Eglash brings more than 35 years of trial and litigation experience to Bosshard Parke’s personal injury practice. He has represented individuals and families in cases involving motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and other serious injuries.
Howard is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and Minnesota and previously served as President of the La Crosse County Bar Association. Regardless of the size of the case, he believes every client deserves personal attention, clear guidance, and compassionate representation.
Why Choose Bosshard Parke for Your Car Accident Case?
- Decades of Injury and Trial Experience – Bosshard Parke brings extensive experience in negotiation, mediation, litigation, and trial preparation to car accident claims.
- Personal Attention From an Experienced Attorney – Clients receive direct guidance, practical answers, and representation tailored to their injuries and circumstances.
- Wisconsin and Minnesota Representation – Bosshard Parke represents injured people throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota, including the La Crosse, Sparta, La Crescent, and Winona areas.
- Complete Claim Management – We investigate the crash, document injuries and losses, identify available coverage, and handle communication with the insurance companies.
- Prepared to Negotiate or Litigate – We pursue a fair resolution through careful case-building and negotiation while remaining prepared to take the case to court when necessary.
- Free Personal Injury Case Evaluation – Initial injury case evaluations are free. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis, and the written fee agreement explains attorney fees and responsibility for case expenses.
Howard Eglash was my attorney at the firm and he has gone to great lengths in my situation. The firms attorneys are without a doubt the best in the La Crosse area as Mr. Eglash is the most professional I have seen.
Bosshard Parke Client
Car Accident Representation Across the Region
With offices in La Crosse and Sparta, Bosshard Parke represents people injured in car accidents throughout western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.
Office Locations
- La Crosse, WI
- Sparta, WI
Additional Areas We Serve
- Onalaska, WI
- West Salem, WI
- Black River Falls, WI
- Holmen, WI
- Tomah, WI
- Vernon County, WI
- La Crescent, MN
- Winona, MN
Don’t see your area listed above? Give us a call at 608-782-1469.
Car Accident FAQs
How much is my car accident claim worth?
There is no reliable formula that applies to every case. Value may depend on medical expenses, future care, lost income, lasting limitations, pain and suffering, property damage, available coverage, and whether fault or the injuries are disputed. Be cautious of anyone promising a specific result before reviewing the evidence.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
Wisconsin and Minnesota both allow recovery in some cases when an injured person shares fault, but compensation may be reduced and recovery may be barred depending on how fault is allocated. The standards and application can differ by state. Do not assume the insurer’s initial fault decision is correct before the evidence has been investigated.
What if the other driver is uninsured or does not have enough insurance?
Your own automobile policy may include uninsured motorist coverage when the responsible driver has no insurance and underinsured motorist coverage when that driver’s limits are insufficient. Other household, employer, rideshare, or vehicle policies may also need to be reviewed depending on the circumstances.
How does Minnesota no-fault insurance affect a car accident claim?
Minnesota automobile policies generally include Personal Injury Protection benefits that may pay certain medical expenses, replacement services, and income-loss benefits regardless of fault, subject to the law and policy terms. A separate liability claim against the at-fault driver may be available when legal requirements are met. Every applicable policy and the facts of the injury should be reviewed.
Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
You may be required to cooperate with your own insurer under the policy, but you should understand who is requesting the statement, why it is being requested, and how it may be used. Avoid guessing or minimizing symptoms. Consider speaking with an attorney before providing a recorded statement to another driver’s insurer or signing broad authorizations.
What if my injuries appeared after the accident?
Some symptoms develop or become more noticeable hours or days after a collision. Seek appropriate medical care, describe your symptoms accurately, follow treatment recommendations, and keep records. A delay may become an issue in the claim, but it does not automatically mean the injury is unrelated to the crash.
What if I was hurt while driving for work?
Workers’ compensation benefits may apply to an accident that occurred in the course of employment. A separate claim may also be possible against a negligent third-party driver. Because the claims can interact, both potential sources of recovery should be evaluated together.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
Deadlines depend on the state, the type of claim, who is involved, and other facts. In general, Wisconsin law provides a three-year limitations period for many motor vehicle personal injury claims, while Minnesota law generally provides six years for many negligence-based personal injury claims. Claims involving death, government entities, minors, or other circumstances may have different or earlier requirements. Speak with an attorney promptly rather than relying on a general deadline.
How much does it cost to hire Bosshard Parke?
Bosshard Parke offers a free injury case evaluation. Personal injury matters are handled on a contingency basis, meaning attorney fees are not owed unless compensation is recovered. The written fee agreement will explain the terms and responsibility for any case expenses.
Talk With a Car Accident Attorney Serving Wisconsin and Minnesota
After a car accident, you may have questions about medical bills, time away from work, vehicle damage, insurance coverage, fault, or filing deadlines. Bosshard Parke can review the circumstances, explain which state laws and policies may apply, and help you decide what to do next.
To schedule a free injury case evaluation, call 608-782-1469, or request a consultation below.