Milwaukee hit & run accident lawyers: how to sue when the perp flees

Name: Warshafsky Review
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Author: Jimi M

Milwaukee/Car Accident Lawyers/Hit and Run

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Get compensated for your hit and run injuries Warshafsky investigates all sources of liability. There could be insurance policies you're not considering.

Have you been involved in a hit and run accident? Under Wisconsin statute 346.67, you must remain at the scene until you’ve fulfilled all state-mandated obligations such as reporting the accident to the police and providing your contact information. If you leave the scene, you could be charged. If you were hit and the driver left the scene, you’ll want to call a personal injury lawyer to recover damages.

Warshafsky's Milwaukee hit and run lawyers have won record settlements for accident victims. Our law firm includes a certified accident investigator who has recovered evidence used in lawsuits where police could not find a liable perpetrator. Let us help you get the compensation you’re owed. You don’t pay unless we win.

What to do after a hit & run accident

If you were involved in or witnessed a hit and run accident, there are a few things you should do:

Pull over. Don’t Chase. - Too many times, we hear of incidents where a hit and run driver flees the scene, and all the drivers nearby who witnessed the accident just drive on by as if nothing happened. Stop at the scene whether you were involved or only witnessed it. Do NOT attempt to chase the hit and run driver, which may endanger everyone else on the road.
Call for help - If someone is injured, call 911. Unless you are a trained medical provider, do not attempt to move an injured person or provide emergency medical care. Help by directing traffic around the scene of the accident or by giving the police any information you can on the vehicle that fled the scene.
Provide your information - Give your name, address, driver’s license and vehicle registration to the police when asked.
Take note of the vehicle description & witnesses’ contact information - Write down what the fleeing vehicle looks like—color, make and model. If you were able to get part of the license number, jot it down. Also, get contact information from any witnesses.
Document the damage - Assuming you have a cell phone with a camera, take photos of your car before leaving the scene. Photos of your injuries, vehicle/property damage, and the scene of the collision will help while filing your personal injury case.
File a report - If you want to file a claim with your insurance company for the damage done to your vehicle, you’ll need to have a police report of the incident. For damage estimated to be under $1,000, they’ll advise you to file a Wisconsin Driver Report of Accident.
Call a hit and run accident attorney - To receive maximum compensation for your injuries, you’ll want a ruthless lawyer on your side. The Milwaukee car accident attorneys of Warshafsky Law can help you recover damages for medical care expenses, automobile repair/replacement and lost time from work.

Should you call the police to file a hit-and-run report?

If the accident involved serious harm to persons or property, you absolutely need to call the police. They will come to the scene of the accident, get your account of what happened and interview any witnesses.

In all hit and run cases, it’s important to have a report of the accident on file for insurance purposes. Having documentation that you contacted the police on the day you discovered damage to your vehicle allays any suspicions your insurance company might have over fraud. Some people cause their own accidents, then try to get their insurance company to cover the repair under fraudulent pretext. Don’t be that driver.

How do you file a hit and run report?

Call the police department and request to report a hit and run. If the incident is serious enough, the police will send an officer to investigate. If not, they’ll file an informational report, making note of your call to report the accident. You will also be advised to file a Wisconsin Driver Report of Accident with the DMV.

Why and when do you file a hit and run report?

Primarily, to have a written record of the accident when you file a claim with your insurance and to assist the police in ticketing the at-fault driver if caught. You should file as soon as possible after the incident happens. Then contact an experienced hit and run law firm. Wisconsin’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years.

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Hit-and-run insurance claims

Many hit-and-run drivers flee the scene because they are not licensed or insured. If you have proper insurance, it should include uninsured motorist coverage to protect you in cases like these. However, your insurance company may try to offer you the lowest amount and make you pay the rest yourself. Our Milwaukee hit-and-run accident lawyers will ensure that doesn’t happen. You’ll get the maximum settlement or judgment with our experienced representation.

In most cases, uninsured motorist coverage from your own car insurance covers damages from hit and run accidents. You may be able to make a claim on your own insurance policy under:

UMBI – Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage for medical expenses
UMPD – Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage for car repairs

Our Milwaukee hit and run attorneys help injured victims prove their case to insurance companies like Geico, State Farm or Progressive and get the compensation they deserve.

Wisconsin hit-and-run statistics

Hit and run related accidents have been on the rise in the state of Wisconsin since 2015. In 2020 there were 18,480 hit-and-run related crashes. 2,588 of those crashes resulted in injuries and 27 resulted in fatalities. 16% of all Wisconsin car accidents are reported as hit and runs.

Injured in a hit-and-run motorcycle or bicycle accident?

If you’re hit by a car on your bike or sideswiped while on your motorcycle and the driver takes off, always report the accident. Motorcycles are less visible and more vulnerable than cars or trucks, making serious injury more likely in a crash, even when you wear the right protective gear. Even if you feel fine at the time, adrenaline can mask pain and you may not realize you’ve been injured.

Whether speaking to a police officer, witness or medical professional, never minimize your injuries or admit fault. Before you sign a check from an insurer, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney. Our Milwaukee hit and run law firm fight to get bikers injured in hit and run accidents the settlement they deserve. Pursuing compensation for a crash when the responsible driver disappeared can be complex and frustrating. If you’ve been hurt by a hit and run driver while on your motorcycle or bike, report the accident immediately, and contact Warshafsky Law for a free consultation.

Do you need an attorney for a hit-and-run accident?

Absolutely, YES. If you've sustained injuries in a hit-and-run accident you need a dedicated legal team to investigate, collect evidence and fight for the compensation you deserve. Warshafsky Law is a no-win-no-fee Milwaukee personal injury law firm, prepared to fully fund every case through trial or settlement. Call 414-276-4970 or contact our law firm online for a free case evaluation, and find out if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

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Milwaukee hit and run frequently asked questions

What should I do after a hit and run?

Call 911 if someone is injured or if you were in a vehicle. 2. Determine if there are any witnesses and be sure to write down their contact info if there were. 3. Snap some photos of injuries, vehicle damage and the scene of the collision. 4. Report the hit and run to the police within 24 hours. 5. Call a hit and run attorney and request a free consultation to make sure you receive maximum compensation.

What are the penalties for hit-and-run perpetrators in Wisconsin?

There are four tiers of penalties depending on the victim’s physical condition after the collision: 1. No physical injuries to the victim: the perpetrator is usually charged with a misdemeanor resulting in a fine of $300 - $1000 and/or up-to 6 months in jail. 2. Injuries but no great bodily harm: the perpetrator will likely face a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $10,000 and 9 months in jail. 3. Great bodily harm: the perpetrator will likely face a Class E felony resulting in 15 years in prison and fines up to $50,000. 4. Death: If your loved one died from a hit-and-run incident, the perpetrator will likely face a Class D felony and receive 25 years in prison for manslaughter and a fine of up to $100,000. If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run it’s important to contact an experienced Milwaukee hit and run accident law firm to make sure you receive maximum compensation for your physical and mental wellbeing.

Should I call the police for a hit and run?

Yes, you should report the hit-and-run incident to the local police department within the first 24 hours.

How hard is it to prove a hit and run in Wisconsin?

It can be difficult without witnesses or photo evidence of the aftermath of the hit-and-run. You will need an experienced hit and run lawyer that’s well-versed in hit-and-run cases and will put your best interests first. Warshafsky Law has a career-long accident investigators that knows how to find the evidence you need to win the case

Why do hit and runs occur?

Hit and run accidents happen more easily when drivers are distracted by smartphones or driving under the influence. People tend to flee the scene when they don't have insurance coverage or a license and registration for their vehicle.