Car accidents are unexpected and have the potential to cause serious injury. They can become even more overwhelming when the driver who hit your vehicle takes off. Under Wisconsin law, all drivers are required to report a car accident.
A hit and run accident is a violation of that statute and a hit and run driver can face criminal charges. However, you may wonder what you can do when you are injured by an at-fault driver who flees the scene.
Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP provides comprehensive legal services for injured victims of hit and run accidents and other motor vehicle accidents in Milwaukee. We have been helping accident victims restore their lives for over 35 years, recovering over $200 million for our clients.
Our passionate, award-winning attorneys believe in doing their best to help Milwaukee hit and run accident victims in need get the justice they deserve. With a successful track record and commitment to getting to know our clients, we provide the best legal representation, allowing you to comfortably count on us in hit and run cases. Contact our Milwaukee hit and run car accident attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim.
Call the Police Immediately
When you call the police, tell them that you’ve been in a hit and run accident. The officers will file a police report. You may not know the identity of the other driver, but the report will be needed when you contact your insurance company to inform them you’ve been in a hit and run accident.
Get Evidence for Your Insurance Claim
For the best chance at a positive outcome, it is crucial that you gather as much evidence as you can immediately. It is best to take photos and videos of the crash scene as soon as possible. This way, if the driver flees, you will have pictures of their vehicle that show its make, model, and color. You should always try to photograph the other car’s license plate when you are in an accident in case it becomes a hit and run accident.
Seek Prompt Medical Treatment
You may have noticeable injuries or you may not have any visible injuries at all. Even if your injuries are not visible on the outside, it is still important to seek medical care immediately as you may have internal or soft tissue injuries. Do not skip treatment out of fear of medical expenses. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the complexities of a hit and run accident to seek compensation for your medical bills as well as property damage and lost income.
Talk to a Law Firm with Experience in Hit and Run Cases
When the other driver flees the scene of a crash, you may feel like you have no means of recovery, which is often not the case. Talk to a hit and run accident lawyer to find out how you can pursue compensation.
Understanding the Role of Your Insurance Company in Hit and Run Cases
Some hit and run drivers leave the accident scene because they do not have a driver’s license or insurance coverage. It is a cowardly act to flee from someone who may be hurt for the sake of avoiding criminal and civil consequences.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it can help you in this situation. However, even with uninsured motorist coverage, you may still face issues with your insurer providing fair compensation for your damages. Due to these complexities, it helps to have an accident lawyer on your side to negotiate and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
The Legal Rights of Accident Victims in a Milwaukee Hit and Run
It’s hardly fair, but if you are the victim of a hit and run, you may struggle to recover for your financial losses. While insurance can help, sometimes insurance policy limits are insufficient to cover all of your damages.
Your other options are to find the at-fault driver and file a lawsuit (or sue their estate if they have passed away). This can be even more difficult if you wake up in a hospital room with a vague memory of what happened to you. When you contact an accident lawyer with Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP, we can dive into an investigation and use our resources to locate the hit and run driver. We can also assist in negotiations with your insurer to help you get compensation if the driver cannot be found.
What to Know About Wisconsin’s Statute of Limitations on Car Accidents with a Hit and Run Driver
The statute of limitations in Wisconsin allows for only three years to file personal injury claims. This may seem like plenty of time but it begins to run on the date of your accident. It is imperative that you take action as soon as possible, starting with calling the police and filing a claim through your insurer.
Our law firm can assist you in taking the necessary steps following a hit and run accident and help you navigate this stressful situation with ease.
Why It’s Important to Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer After a Hit and Run Accident
When you are the victim of a hit and run, you should not attempt to resolve the situation on your own. An attorney will have the experience and resources you need to help you fight for what is fair. Since insurers are notorious for offering low settlements even in cases where the other driver did not flee, you will have someone to negotiate on your behalf.
At Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, LLP, we can take the steps to investigate your hit and run accident. We can locate traffic cameras and surveillance cameras at nearby businesses and use other methods to locate the at-fault driver.
Most importantly, we have compassion for your situation and will do everything that we possibly can to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Contact our law offices today and schedule a free case evaluation where we can discuss your hit and run accident case.