How Much is Your Claim Worth?
How Much is Your Claim Worth?
Learn about Wisconsin car accident laws so you can understand your legal duties and protect yourself after a crash.
If you live in Wisconsin, it’s important to know the state’s laws about car accidents. That way, you can be sure to comply with your legal obligations and avoid fines and other penalties.
We break down Wisconsin’s car accident laws so you’re prepared for whatever comes next on the road. You can also turn to Subchapter XI of the Wisconsin Rules of the Road for even more details about what to do.
As a Wisconsin driver, you are required by law to exchange information with the other people involved in a car crash. This means for any crash resulting in injury, death, or vehicle damage, you must provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You also must display your operator’s license upon request.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall reasonably investigate what was struck and if the accident resulted in injury or death or damage to a vehicle, the operator shall stop and remain at the scene of the accident until the operator has done all of the following:
After a car accident in Wisconsin, you have a legal obligation to provide “reasonable assistance “to the people who were hurt. This includes driving an injured person to a hospital or making arrangements for transportation if they need medical attention or they ask to go.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall render reasonable assistance to any person injured, including transporting, or making arrangements to transport the person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if requested by the injured person.
In Wisconsin, you must report certain car crashes to the local police right away. Reportable accidents include those involving injury, death, at least $200 of damage to government property, or at least $1,000 of damage to one person’s property.
The operator or occupant of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death, any damage to state or other government-owned property of $200 or more, or total damage to property owned by any one person of $1,000 or more shall immediately give notice to the police department, the sheriff’s department or the traffic department.
Failing to notify the police of a reportable car accident can result in a $200 to $500 fine for first-time offenders. For subsequent convictions in the same year, the fine assessed can range from $300 to $500.
Any operator of a vehicle, and any occupant of a vehicle who is at least 16 years of age, who violates s. 346.70 (1) may be required to forfeit not less than $200 nor more than $500 for the first offense and may be required to forfeit not less than $300 nor more than $500 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
If you are involved in a car crash in Wisconsin, the law requires you to investigate what you hit. When the collision results in damage to a vehicle, you must exchange information with the other parties involved. This is still true when there are no injuries.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall reasonably investigate what was struck, and if the accident resulted in damage to a vehicle, the operator shall stop and remain at the scene of the accident until the operator has done all of the following:
After hitting a parked car in Wisconsin, you must immediately stop your vehicle at the scene. Then, you must inform the owner of your name and address and the name and address of the owner of the car you were driving. You can do this by finding the owner and notifying them personally or leaving a note on the car you hit.
The operator of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the name and address of the operator and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle or leave a written notice.
Understanding your legal duties as a Wisconsin driver is essential if you want to stay out of trouble. You need to know what the law requires before an accident occurs so that you can follow the law if you do find yourself in a collision.
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