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Should You Get a Lawyer for a Hit and Run?

If you have been injured in a hit and run accident, you need to know your rights. You may be facing high medical bills, pain and suffering, and time away from your job that you cannot afford. A car accident attorney can guide you through this difficult time, and help you pursue the full and fair compensation to which you may be entitled under the law.

At Studinski Law, LLC, our experienced car accident lawyers understand the challenges you may be facing after a hit and run accident. We are dedicated to doing everything possible to help locate the driver who fled the scene and hold those who caused your injuries accountable for their negligence.

What Are Wisconsin’s Hit and Run Laws?

After an accident in Wisconsin, drivers have a duty to stop their vehicles. If someone struck your vehicle and continued driving, or stopped momentarily then drove away without exchanging information or offering help, that driver could face criminal charges, as well as civil liability.

Wisconsin law is clear on hit and runs: When drivers are involved in collisions and know or have reason to believe that they caused property damage, injury, or death, they are obligated to stop their vehicles as close to the scene of the crash as is safely possible.

Once stopped, the driver must then:

• Call 911 or law enforcement to come to the scene
• Provide reasonable assistance to you and your passengers if necessary
• Show you his or her driver’s license
• Provide contact information, including name and address
• Provide his or her vehicle’s registration number

Criminal Liability For Hit and Run Drivers

If a driver causes a wreck and flees the scene of the accident, he or she can face criminal charges. The penalties for a hit and run vary depending on the circumstances of the crime. The driver may be charged with a misdemeanor if you only suffered minor injuries. A misdemeanor hit and run charge is punishable by up to nine months in jail, probation, and a fine of up to $10,000. If you sustained serious injuries in the crash, the driver who fled the scene may be charged with a felony. This means that the driver could face up to 15 years imprisonment, probation, and a fine of up to $50,000. If the accident resulted in death, the negligent driver could face a more serious felony charge which could result in up to 25 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help After a Hit and Run?

If you’ve been hurt in a hit and run collision, call the police right away. Police officers and emergency personnel will ensure you receive the immediate medical assistance you require and will work to locate the driver who caused your wreck. Once you’ve obtained any necessary medical care, contacting a car accident attorney should be your next priority.

Following a hit and run accident, a car accident attorney can help you by:

• Conducting an investigation: An experienced car accident attorney knows how to work with the police to identify the driver who caused your accident and is responsible for your injuries. Once the at-fault driver is found, your lawyer can begin building your personal injury claim.
• Calculating the value of your damages: If you’ve been severely injured in a crash, you may be facing a range of losses. You may have high medical bills, be unable to work, and endure chronic pain and suffering – to name just a few of your potential challenges. An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to calculate the full extent of your damages, accounting for both your immediate and future losses.
• Handling liability issues: Various factors can complicate questions of liability in car accident cases. Trucking accident cases, for example, may involve multiple at-fault parties. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the facts in your case and determine which party or parties may be responsible for your injuries.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies are well-prepared to defend accident claims. An adjuster may make a low settlement offer before you file a claim and while you are still recovering from your injuries. A car accident lawyer knows the tactics used by insurance adjusters to minimize or deny claims and will work diligently on your behalf to recover a fair settlement that covers the full extent of your losses.
• Take your case to court if necessary: If a fair settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company, your attorney may advise taking your case to trial. Your lawyer will handle every aspect of your case, including the initial filing, presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, and making arguments before a judge and jury for why you should be awarded the maximum compensation you deserve.

Potential Compensation in a Hit and Run Case

Depending on the extent of your injuries and the details of your case, you may be entitled to damages for your:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life 

Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Wisconsin

If you were hurt in a hit and run accident in Wisconsin, it is in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Studinski Law, LLC has built a reputation for excellence serving clients in a wide variety of motor vehicle accidents.  We understand the hardships you may be facing and we are committed to helping you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries.

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Call (715) 343-2850 today for a free consultation. Our car accident lawyers serve clients throughout the state, including Plover and Marshfield.