What if you witness a hit-and-run accident while driving?

Pull over

Hit and run accident injuries with "no insurance" are often covered by the fine print. If you witness a hit-and-run accident, we hope you’ll do the right thing and pull over. 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.

Don’t chase

Do NOT attempt to chase the hit and run driver. This will cause the fleeing driver to go even faster. Considering a hit-and-run driver’s questionable driving abilities, a chase will just endanger everyone else on the road.

Write down a vehicle description

While it’s fresh in your mind, 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.

Call for help

If someone is seriously injured, call 911. Unless you are a trained emergency medical provider, do not attempt to move an injured person or provide emergency medical care. You can 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.'

Hit and run bike accidents 

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. Even if you feel fine at the time, adrenaline can mask pain and you may not realize you’ve been injured. If you have a police report on file based on information is recorded in case you do need to submit an insurance claim later.

Injured in a hit-and-run bicycle accident?

Your initial reaction may be relief you weren’t more seriously injured or even killed. It’s fine to be thankful just remember to think clearly. Whether speaking to a police officer, witness or a medical professional, never minimize your injuries or admit any fault. Before you sign a check from any insurer, speak to a personal injury attorney experienced in helping hit and run accident victims to make sure you’re getting the compensation you deserve.

Victim of a hit & run motorcycle 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. Hit and run accidents involving motorcycle operators and passengers happen more easily when drivers are distracted by smartphones or driving under the influence.

Hit & run lawyers securing maximum compensation for injured bikers

Our Milwaukee hit and run attorneys 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, report the accident immediately and contact Warshafsky Law for a free consultation.

Wisconsin hit-and-run statistics

Milwaukee hit and run accident injury representation. There were almost 16,000 hit-and-run accidents in Wisconsin in 2013, including crashes in intersections, non-intersections, parking lots, and private property. Two thousand of these caused injuries, 18 were fatal, and 13,000 caused property damage.

Many hit-and-run drivers flee the scene because they are not licensed or not 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 car accident lawyers will ensure that doesn’t happen. You’ll get the maximum settlement or judgment with our experienced representation.

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

Absolutely, YES. 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. Warshafsky Law offers a free initial legal consultation to help prospective clients better understand what is involved in pursuing a personal injury claim. If you have grounds for a suit and choose to have us represent you, we will fully fund your case through trial or settlement. Warshafsky asks for no payment UNTIL you have been compensated.

What if you find your car has been damaged by a hit-and-run driver?

Look for witnesses

If the hit-and-run happened while you were parked outside a shop, ask the shop owner and employees if they saw anything. If they did, take notes of their description and get their contact info in case the police want to follow up with them.

Document the damage

Assuming you have a cell phone with a camera, take photos of your car before leaving the scene. Get a wide shot showing the car in the environment as well as close-up shots of the damage done to your car. If you can see any paint left behind on your car from the one that struck yours, try to get a close-up shot of this.

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.

Important information for hit & run 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.

"My case was tough in that neither an ambulance nor police officer showed up at the scene of the accident. They dealt with the pesky insurance adjustors to ensure my medical bills were paid for. I can’t give Warshafsky enough props for helping me close my case. If I had to do it over again, I would hire them 10/10 times."
Ty E. Warshafsky client

Wisconsin's toughest hit-and-run accident lawyers

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. Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation and find out if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Warshafsky Law is a no-win-no-fee Milwaukee personal injury law firm, prepared to fully fund every case through trial or settlement.

Injured? it is about the money®

 

Milwaukee Personal Injury Lawsuits 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 personal injury 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 personal injury attorney 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 personal injury attorney 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