Client sustained life-threatening injuries after being hit by a driver who passed away at the scene. We obtained close to the policy limits with an additional claimant pre-suit and negotiated medical liens down over $250,000.
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Being hit by a driver who then flees the scene can leave you feeling shaken, confused, and unsure of what to do next. You’re dealing with real injuries, possible car damage, and a responsible party who simply disappeared. Fortunately, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone.
Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm has been standing up for Wisconsin accident victims for years, and our team brings over 90 years of combined experience and a deep knowledge of how Wisconsin’s hit-and-run laws work. From the moment you reach out, we focus on building your case and protecting your rights. As experienced personal injury lawyers in Fitchburg, we help injured victims pursue the compensation they deserve.
When a driver stays at the scene, it’s often clear who is responsible. When a driver flees, everything becomes more complicated. You may not have a name, license plate, or even a description of the vehicle. Law enforcement may still be searching for the driver. And all the while, medical bills keep coming.
Even when the other driver is unknown, there are legal paths forward. Wisconsin law requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage can step in when the at-fault driver cannot be found. It can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If the driver is later found, you may also have the right to pursue a claim directly against them. Our hit-and-run lawyers can help you understand which options apply to your situation. If you’d like to learn more about who pays in a Wisconsin hit-and-run, we’ve covered the insurance and legal process in greater detail.
Under Wisconsin law, drivers involved in a crash must stop, share their information, and offer reasonable aid. Leaving the scene is a crime. The severity of the charge depends on the harm caused, ranging from a misdemeanor for minor incidents to a felony if someone was seriously hurt or killed.
Time matters in hit-and-run cases. Generally, a lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of the accident under Wisconsin law. However, exceptions and nuances of your claim may change the applicable deadline.
Because of this, reaching out to a lawyer sooner rather than later gives your case the best chance. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and certain notice requirements may apply, especially if government vehicles or property were involved.
Our team at Pemberton Personal Injury works with clients across the Fitchburg area, helping them understand their deadlines and take the right steps from the start. We also serve clients involved in all types of car accidents, from rear-end crashes to intersection collisions.
Hit-and-run crashes can cause serious harm. Depending on your situation, you may be able to seek compensation for:
Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on the facts, your injuries, and what insurance coverage is available. Our lawyers take the time to assess every detail.
A growing body of research highlights just how serious these crashes are. According to a 2026 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study, hit-and-run crashes accounted for 15% of all police-reported crashes in 2023, the highest percentage ever recorded. Pedestrians and cyclists face particularly high risk, with roughly one in four pedestrian injuries or deaths occurring in a hit-and-run crash.
Insurance companies don’t make it easy to get a fair payout, even when you’re the victim. When a driver flees, the insurer may challenge whether the crash really happened, dispute the extent of your injuries, or argue that UM coverage doesn’t apply.
Our attorneys at Pemberton Personal Injury know these tactics well. Many on our team come from insurance defense backgrounds, which means we know how insurers think and how to counter their arguments. We’ve seen how adjusters approach these claims, and we use that knowledge to advocate for our clients.
Our firm has earned Super Lawyers recognition for 10 consecutive years, but what we’re most proud of is our commitment to clients. Whether you need help with a hit-and-run, a pedestrian accident claim, or a more complex personal injury case, we treat every case with the same dedication.
Moreover, we handle cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover for you. There are no upfront costs, and no fees if we don’t win. That’s what The Pemberton Promise is all about.
After a hit and run in Fitchburg, you need answers fast. What coverage do you have? Does it apply? What should you say to the insurance company? These questions have real consequences, and the wrong move early can hurt your case.
Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm is here to help. We offer a free case evaluation so you can get a clear picture of your options with no obligation. Reach out today through our contact form and take the first step toward getting the support you deserve.
Insurance companies profit when you lose. Every claim they deny, every settlement they lowball, every injured person they convince to accept less—that’s money in their pocket. And they’re very good at what they do.
At Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, we’ve made it our mission to take on the insurance companies that put profits over people. We know every underhanded tactic they’ll use to cheat you out of fair compensation, and we’re prepared to fight fire with fire. When insurance adjusters see us coming, they know they’re in for a real battle. You didn’t ask to be injured.
You didn’t ask to fight a billion-dollar corporation. But now that you’re here, you deserve lawyers who will go to war for you. We don’t settle for less than full compensation, we don’t back down from tough fights, and we don’t let insurance companies bully our clients. PERIOD.
Life following a serious injury can bring intense emotions and pain. Accident victims often hope to get their lives back on track, only to be held back by the demands involved with personal injury claims. This is especially the case for individuals who become hospitalized. Wherever you are in the process, we’d be glad to help.
Our injury lawyers in Wisconsin step up to represent you. At Pemberton, we provide this advocacy at every step in the injury claims process so you can be on your way to feeling like yourself again.
Contact our Wisconsin personal injury attorneys at (608) 448-6242 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys. We will create a plan together to help you protect your rights and get you back to your life.
$40M+ Won For Our Clients
Client sustained life-threatening injuries after being hit by a driver who passed away at the scene. We obtained close to the policy limits with an additional claimant pre-suit and negotiated medical liens down over $250,000.
In this car accident case, the client suffered catastrophic injuries in a head-on collision when the at-fault driver crossed the center line. Her injuries included multiple broken bones in the chest, ribs, wrist, and ankle, internal injuries requiring intestinal surgery, and a damaged artery in the spine. With medical expenses exceeding $4,000, we secured the at-fault driver’s full insurance coverage and pursued an additional $1,000,000 from the client’s own insurance policy. We also negotiated a reduction of more than $468,000 in outstanding medical costs to ensure the client received maximum financial recovery for her life-altering injuries and permanent impact on her ability to work.
The client’s loved one suffered a fatal injury in an auto collision that resulted in over $382,000 in medical bills. Acting as the family’s second attorney, we navigated difficult policy-limit issues and secured a $1,000,000 settlement. While the case had greater overall value and the family would have liked a higher recovery, they chose to settle to avoid prolonged litigation and move forward.
“If you ever need an attorney, he would be the first one I recommend”
“Focus on healing and we will take care of everything on the legal side”
“If you ever need an attorney, he would be the first one I recommend”