In Wisconsin, hit-and-run accidents present unique challenges when determining liability and seeking compensation through personal injury claims. Comparative negligence laws play a crucial role in these cases, particularly when multiple parties share responsibility for the accident. When a driver flees the scene in Green Bay, victims may face complex legal scenarios involving both criminal and civil proceedings. The situation becomes more nuanced when considering factors such as uninsured motorist coverage, the potential involvement of multiple vehicles, and the impact of Wisconsin's modified comparative negligence system. Understanding how these elements interact is essential for accident victims pursuing compensation, especially when dealing with insurance companies who may attempt to assign a higher percentage of fault to the injured party to reduce their financial responsibility.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence system under Wisconsin Statute § 895.045, which allows injured parties to recover damages as long as they are not more than 51% at fault for the accident. In hit-and-run cases, victims typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Insurance considerations include mandatory liability coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident, along with uninsured motorist coverage which becomes crucial in hit-and-run scenarios. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Additionally, Wisconsin's statutes impose criminal penalties on hit-and-run drivers, which can strengthen a civil case for damages.

Comparative negligence can be a factor in all kinds of injury accidents. Click the links below to get information from an experienced attorney for accidents and injuries including:

• Wisconsin car accident attorney;
• Wisconsin pedestrian accident attorney;
• Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyer;
• Wisconsin  truck accident lawyer;
• Wisconsin bicycle accident attorney;
• Wisconsin brain injury lawyer;
• Wisconsin spine injury attorney;
• Wisconsin fatal accident lawyer.

Related Resources

Local Courts:

• Brown County Circuit Court
• Green Bay Municipal Court
• Wisconsin Court of Appeals - District III

Support Services:

• Wisconsin Crime Victim Services
• Brown County Victim/Witness Assistance Program
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Support

Legal References:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Accident Reports
• Wisconsin State Legislature Chapter 346 (Rules of the Road)
• Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Consumer Guide

Return to the Green Bay hit-and-run accident information page