A hit-and-run accident can leave you hurt, angry, and unsure what to do next. One moment, you are dealing with a crash. Next, the other driver is gone, and you are left with injuries, vehicle damage, medical bills, and a lot of unanswered questions.
At Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, we help people in Eau Claire and throughout Wisconsin after serious car accidents, including hit-and-run crashes. If the driver who hit you fled the scene, you may still have options for recovery. We are here to help you understand them and carry the burden so you can focus on healing.
What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run accident happens when a driver is involved in a crash and leaves without stopping to give information or help an injured person. Wisconsin law requires drivers involved in certain accidents to stop, provide identifying information, and fulfill other duties at the scene.
Hit-and-run accidents can involve:
- Two moving vehicles
- A parked car
- A pedestrian
- A bicyclist
- A motorcycle
No matter how it happens, the result is often the same: the injured person is left trying to recover without the information they need.
What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
The steps you take after a hit-and-run crash can make a big difference.
Call 911 and Get Medical Care
Your health comes first. Get medical help right away, even if your injuries do not seem serious at first. Some injuries take time to fully show up.
Report What You Remember
Try to remember anything you can about the other vehicle, including:
- Color
- Make or model
- Part of the license plate
- Damage to the vehicle
- The direction the driver went
Even small details can help law enforcement and your attorney.
Take Photos and Look for Witnesses
If you can, take pictures of the scene, your vehicle, debris, skid marks, and visible injuries. If anyone saw what happened, get their name and contact information.
Nearby security cameras or dash cameras may also matter, but that footage can disappear quickly.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should report the crash to your insurer, but be careful with recorded statements or quick assumptions about what happened. A hit-and-run claim can become more complicated than people expect.
How Wisconsin Law Can Help After a Hit-and-Run
Even if the driver is never found, you may still have a way to pursue compensation.
Wisconsin requires uninsured motorist coverage in auto policies, with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. That coverage can be important in hit-and-run cases because the at-fault driver is often unknown or cannot be located.
If the driver is later identified, a claim may also be made against that driver’s liability insurance.
That means a hit-and-run case is not always over just because the other driver left the scene.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A hit-and-run accident claim may include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Future treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Vehicle damage
- Other out-of-pocket losses related to the crash
The value of a claim depends on the facts, including the seriousness of the injuries and how they affect your daily life.
Why These Cases Can Be More Difficult
Hit-and-run claims often require faster action than people expect. Witness memories fade. Camera footage can be erased. Vehicle debris can disappear. Insurance companies may also question how the crash happened or whether a claimed injury is related to the accident.
That is why it is important to start gathering evidence as early as possible.
How a Hit-and-Run Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer can help by:
- Investigating the crash
- Finding witnesses and video evidence
- Handling communication with insurance companies
- Reviewing available uninsured motorist coverage
- Identifying other possible sources of recovery
- Building a claim that reflects the full impact of the accident
These cases are stressful because there are so many unknowns. Having someone on your side can help bring clarity and direction.
Why Choose Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm?
At Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, we take a straightforward approach. We investigate the facts, explain your options clearly, and deal with the insurance companies so you do not have to carry that stress alone.
We prepare every case as if it is going to trial because insurance companies know which firms are ready to fight. We do not get paid unless you do.
Contact an Eau Claire Hit-and-Run Lawyer Today
A hit-and-run accident can leave you with injuries, expenses, and a lot of uncertainty. You should not have to deal with that alone.
If you were hurt in a hit-and-run crash in Eau Claire or the surrounding area, Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
