Bicycle Injury Lawyer, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Hit and Run

Wisconsin Statutes provide the exact requirments for drivers after hitting vehicles, people, and othe objects. They should be referred to in addition to contacting a qualified attorney licensed in your state.  Below is some general informatin regarding hit and run, obviously not to be relied upon for legal advice-merely for informational purposes only. For specific information and help with questions regarding hit and run, contact an attorney.  Attorney Griessmeyer can be reached at 608 320-6710.  

 
WHAT IS THE DUTY OF A DRIVER WHO HITS A PERSON OR VEHICLE WITH A PERSON IN IT?
 
1. Immediately stop at the scene or as close as possible;
2. Give name, address and the registration number of the vehicle to all other parties;
3. Give operators license to other parties if requested;
4. Render reasonable assitance to anyone injured
 
 
WHAT IS THE DUTY OF A DRIVER WHO HITS AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE?
 
1. Immediately stop and locate and notify the operator or owner of the other vheicle of the name, address and owner of vehicle striking unattended vehicle or leave in a conspicuous place on struck vehicle a written notice giving name, address of operator and and owner. 
 
WHAT IS THE DUTY OF A DRIVER WHO HITS PROPERTY ON A HIGHWAY?
 
1. Take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner of the property and of operators name, address, registration number, and operator's license (if requested).
 

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUN IN WISCONSIN? If the accident did not involve any injury you will likely be charged with a misdemeanor and face fines and up to 6 months in jail. If the accident resulted in injury but not “great bodily harm”, the penalty is up to 9 months in jail and max fine $10,000. If someone in the accident was injured and suffered “great bodily harm”, you could be charged with a class E felony. Maximum 15 years in prison, if someone was killed, the maximum penalty is 25 years prison. A criminal conviction is a very bad thing and can affect future employment and other areas of life. There are various ways to attempt to avoid a criminal conviction. This is generally easier in lower level type hit and runs when there is no serious property damage and no injury. In these types of cases the prosecutor may be mostly concerned that the other driver gets his car damage paid for if there is any. In that type of case, the lawyer may be able to work out a plea deal that does not involve a criminal conviction. For example, Attorney Griessmeyer recently had a criminal hit and run amended to a civil forfeiture (fine only). This prevented the criminal defendant who had no prior criminal convictions from being labeled a criminal the rest of his life.