What Should I Do If I’ve Been Involved In A Hit and Run Accident in Wisconsin?
A typical car accident involves both parties sharing information and working together with their insurance providers to settle the accident. A hit and run accident is a different matter. You may be dealing with personal injuries or property damage; in the meantime, the guilty party is nowhere to be found.
The good news is that even when the responsible party is unknown, you do have legal options after a hit and run accident in Wisconsin.
What Qualifies As A Hit And Run In Wisconsin?
Although Wisconsin requires drivers to stop after any accident that involves injury or property damage, sometimes drivers leave the scene to avoid responsibility. As soon as a driver leaves the scene of an accident without exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver, they have committed a hit and run. The repercussions of this action depend on the severity of the accident. Once found, the guilty party could face misdemeanor or felony charges and the related fines and penalties.
What Should I Do If I Am A Victim Of A Hit And Run?
If you are involved in a hit and run accident in Wisconsin, you will handle the situation much like an accident where both parties remain on the scene:
- Stay Calm. You’ll likely be very frustrated and even angry that the other driver fled the scene, but remain calm so you can provide care to injured people and provide a complete report to the police.
- Help Those with Injuries. If anyone is injured, provide what medical attention you can.
- Call 911. Call 911 for police and ambulance support. ALWAYS CALL THE POLICE.
- Gather Evidence. While waiting, take pictures of the scene and the damage, write down what you can remember of the other car and the accident, and move your car out of the flow of traffic if possible. If there are witnesses to the accident, get their contact information, and ask if they are willing to make a statement to the police.
- Don’t Overshare Information. It is very tempting to share your experience with friends and family on social media platforms, but this is risky. If you end up having a legal case, anything that you previously posted online could be used against you. This can affect the outcome of your case or the amount of compensation you receive for the accident.
Uninsured Drivers
One fact that may make you feel better is that Wisconsin requires all drivers to carry uninsured driver coverage on their auto insurance policy. This means that you can file a claim against your own policy, and this coverage will cover your expenses in a hit and run accident. In fact, a lack of insurance coverage is the primary reason why drivers commit a hit and run; they cause an accident and then flee because they know they do not have the required insurance coverage.
Seek Legal Advice After Hit And Run
If you have been involved in a car accident, even a hit and run accident, you should speak with an attorney. The auto accident attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices help drivers navigate the insurance claims process and explore all of their legal options so they can better recover from car accidents.
Learn about your options and get help filing your claim by contacting Eisenberg Law Offices at 608-256-8356 or by sending us an email Info@eisenberglaw.org to arrange a free consultation.
