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How Do Hit and Run Accident Victims Hold Drivers Accountable?
Getting into a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and dealing with the resulting medical treatments, vehicle repairs, police reports, and insurance claims can be overwhelming in even the best cases. This process becomes even more difficult in the case of hit and run accidents, since victims will have difficulty determining the identity of the driver who was involved in an accident and holding him or her responsible for the damages caused.
Hit and Run Accidents Under Wisconsin Law
In Wisconsin, a driver who strikes a person or vehicle is required to stop his or her vehicle, investigate the scene of the accident, share his or her contact information and vehicle registration number with the other party, and provide any necessary medical assistance to anyone who was injured in the accident. Failure to do so is a felony.
Wisconsin law states that the owner or operator of a vehicle which was used to commit a hit and run can be held liable for the accident. Anyone who observes an accident must report it to the police within 24 hours, providing a description of what happened, the time and location of the incident, and descriptions of all vehicles involved, including the type, color, and license plate number.
Holding a Driver Accountable
If you are involved in a hit and run accident, it is important to gather information which could be used to identify the vehicle and driver who committed the hit and run and demonstrate his or her liability for your damages. This can include:
- Writing down any details about the vehicle, including its make, model, color, license plate number, and the direction it was traveling, as well as a description of the driver and any passengers;
- Taking photos of the accident, including details that identify the location of the damage that was caused;
- Speaking to witnesses who can provide helpful information, especially if they took any photos or video of the accident;
- Checking to see if nearby businesses captured the accident on their security cameras. This should be done as soon as possible, since footage is often only kept for a short period of time;
- Filing a police report and providing information which police officers can use to find the driver; and
- Seeking medical treatment and retaining medical records which show the extent of your injuries.
Contact a Milwaukee Hit and Run Accident Attorney
If you have been injured by a driver who committed a hit and run, the skilled, experienced attorneys of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP will thoroughly investigate the accident, using all of the resources at our disposal to identify the driver and hold him or her accountable for your damages to help ensure you will be able to receive the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced Milwaukee, WI car accident lawyers today at 414-271-1440.
Source:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346/XI/67
