Hit and run accidents create serious challenges for Wisconsin drivers. Not only do you face physical and financial losses, but the responsible party has disappeared, leaving you without the necessary information to secure compensation. However, Wisconsin law provides protections for hit and run victims and imposes serious consequences for drivers who flee the scene. Here’s what you need to know.
If you were injured a hit and run, you don’t have to handle the legal process alone. Contact our Milwaukee car accident attorneys today at
What Constitutes a Hit and Run Under Wisconsin Law?
Wisconsin law requires all drivers involved in an accident to stop immediately, regardless of who is at fault or how minor the collision appears. This applies whether the accident involves another vehicle, a bicycle, or a pedestrian.
Once stopped, you must provide your name, address, driver’s license, and vehicle registration information to the other driver and any passengers who request it. If anyone is injured, you have a legal duty to provide reasonable assistance, which may include calling for emergency medical help or transporting the injured person to a hospital.
Failing to fulfill these obligations constitutes a hit and run. This crime carries severe penalties, which range from up to three months in jail and fines between $300 and $1,000 for minor crashes, to 25 years in prison and fines up to $100,000 for fatal accidents.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Hit and Run Accident
Your actions in the moments and hours following a hit and run can impact your safety, your legal rights, and your ability to recover compensation. While the situation may feel chaotic, taking these steps will protect you:
Move to a safe location if you are able to do so.
Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance.
Document everything you can remember about the other vehicle, including the make, model, color, license plate number (even a partial number helps), and the direction the driver fled.
Take photographs of the accident scene, your vehicle damage, your injuries, and any debris or skid marks.
Speak with any witnesses who may have seen the accident and get their contact information.
Contact a Wisconsin car accident lawyer for assistance.
How to Recover Compensation After a Wisconsin Hit and Run
Wisconsin requires all drivers to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which protects you when you are hit by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver who can’t be found. This coverage is typically your first line of defense. You must carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage, though you may have purchased higher limits.
Your attorney may also work to identify the at-fault driver and bring them to justice. If the responsible party is located, you can pursue a direct claim against their insurance policy or file a personal injury lawsuit in court.
Cannon & Dunphy S.C. Can Help You Recover Call Us Today
After a hit and run, you are hurt, your vehicle is damaged, and the person responsible has vanished. But you still have legal options for recovery, even when the at-fault driver can’t be found.
Cannon & Dunphy S.C. helps hit and run victims explore every available avenue for compensation, including uninsured motorist coverage. We will work with law enforcement, investigate your policy coverage, and pursue the maximum compensation possible under Wisconsin law. Contact us at (262) 239-4124 for a free consultation with our hit and run accident lawyers.