Posted in Personal Injury
If you or a family member was struck by a driver who left the scene, understanding your legal options is an important early step. A Milwaukee pedestrian is now recovering from serious injuries after that type of crash, and the driver responsible has not been identified.
What Happened on Highland Boulevard
Milwaukee Police report that a 61-year-old pedestrian was crossing Highland Boulevard on a Friday evening, around 8:30 p.m., when a driver struck the person and then left the scene without stopping. The pedestrian was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. No arrests had been made at the time of the report.
Hit-and-run crashes create difficulties that go beyond the physical injuries themselves. The at-fault driver is unknown, the insurance picture is unclear, and medical bills continue to accumulate while the investigation proceeds. A Milwaukee personal injury lawyer at Hickey & Turim, S.C. can address those issues while law enforcement works to locate the driver.
Why Leaving the Scene Changes the Legal Picture
Drivers leave crash scenes for a variety of reasons, including fear of arrest or a lack of insurance coverage. Under Wisconsin law, none of those circumstances relieve a driver of responsibility, and none of them prevent an injured pedestrian from pursuing compensation.
Fleeing the scene is a criminal offense in Wisconsin. Criminal charges, if the driver is eventually located, remain separate from a civil claim for damages. Even when the driver is never identified, an injured pedestrian may still have avenues for recovery:
- Uninsured motorist coverage under a personal auto policy
- A direct claim against the driver, should law enforcement identify that individual later
- Coverage available through certain pedestrian-related policy provisions, depending on the insurer
Pedestrian crashes involving fleeing drivers are not unusual. Nationally, one in four pedestrian fatalities results from a hit-and-run crash, according to an analysis published by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Crash
Actions taken in the hours after a crash can affect an injury claim considerably. We generally advise the following:
- Contact 911 and remain at the scene if you are physically able to do so
- Record any detail about the vehicle, including color, make, or a partial license plate
- Ask nearby witnesses to remain and speak with responding officers
- Photograph the scene, your visible injuries, and any surrounding cameras
- Seek medical attention promptly, even if the injuries initially appear minor
How an Attorney Assists During an Open Investigation
Identifying a fleeing driver can take weeks or longer. That timeline does not have to leave an injured pedestrian without support. An attorney can begin work immediately by requesting medical records, reviewing all applicable insurance coverage, and preserving evidence before it becomes unavailable.
Wisconsin law may entitle an injured pedestrian to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, whether or not the driver is located.
If you or a loved one was injured in a hit-and-run, contact our Milwaukee, WI personal injury lawyer to discuss the circumstances of the crash and the options available to you.
