Hit-and-RunUpdated March 2026

Victim of a Hit-and-Run in Madison?

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Key Takeaways

  • Call 911 immediately and give the dispatcher every detail you remember about the fleeing vehicle — the sooner police begin searching, the more likely they are to identify the driver.
  • Under Wis. Stat. § 893.54, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but you should notify your own insurance company promptly because your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may be your primary compensation source if the driver is never found.
  • Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence rule (Wis. Stat. § 895.045) applies if the driver is found — you can recover as long as your fault is less than 51%.
  • Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a Class H felony under Wis. Stat. § 346.67 (up to 6 years in prison), escalating to a Class D felony carrying up to 25 years if someone died — Madison Police, the Dane County Sheriff, and the State Patrol actively investigate these cases.
  • Wisconsin insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist (UM) coverage under Wis. Stat. § 632.32, which pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits — but treat your own insurer’s claims process with caution and keep statements brief and factual.
  • Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency with free consultations and can navigate the parallel UM claim, criminal investigation, and potential civil claim if the driver is later identified.
1

Call 911 immediately

If a driver struck you or your vehicle and fled, call 911 right away. You need medical attention assessed, and you need police searching for the fleeing driver while the trail is fresh.

Give the dispatcher everything you remember: the direction the vehicle fled, any description (color, make, model, size), any partial license plate, and any driver description. The sooner police begin searching, the more likely they are to find the vehicle.

Under Wis. Stat. § 346.67, leaving the scene of an injury accident is a felony in Wisconsin. If the accident caused death, it’s a Class D felony with up to 25 years in prison. Police take these cases seriously.

2

Get medical attention

Even if you feel okay, get evaluated. Hit-and-run victims often experience adrenaline masking injuries, compounded by the shock of being struck and abandoned.

For serious injuries, go to UW Hospital and Clinics (Level I Trauma Center) or SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital (Level II Trauma Center at 700 S. Brooks Street). For less severe injuries, UnityPoint Health-Meriter or Dane County urgent care clinics can help.

Prompt treatment creates documentation for your claim — whether against the driver (if found) or through your own insurance.

3

Document everything you can remember

While details are fresh, write down everything about the fleeing vehicle: color, make, model, body style, approximate year, damage, direction of travel, distinguishing features (stickers, markings, custom parts), and any partial plate.

Check for nearby surveillance cameras — businesses along East Washington Avenue, the Capitol Square, State Street, and near UW-Madison campus often have cameras. Ask nearby businesses about dashcam or parking lot footage.

Get witness names and phone numbers. Photograph the scene: your vehicle damage, road conditions, intersection, skid marks, debris, and injuries.

4

File a police report — this is essential

If police responded, they’ll create a report. If not, file one at the Madison Police Department: non-emergency line (608) 255-2345, main office at 211 S. Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703.

The report initiates the investigation, documents the incident for insurance, and creates the official record you need. Follow up with the investigating officer regularly and provide any additional information.

5

Notify your own insurance company

This is critical. Your own policy may be your primary compensation source if the driver isn’t found.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is designed for exactly this situation — when the at-fault driver is uninsured or can’t be identified. Wisconsin insurers are required to offer UM coverage (Wis. Stat. § 632.32), though policyholders can decline it in writing. UM coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.

Contact your insurer promptly with the police report number. Don’t accept a quick settlement without understanding the full extent of your injuries. Collision coverage can help with vehicle damage minus your deductible.

6

Understand your legal options

If the driver is found: You pursue a personal injury claim against them, just like any other at-fault accident. They also face criminal charges.

If the driver is not found: Your UM coverage is your primary remedy. An attorney can help maximize your claim against your own UM policy.

Statute of limitations: Under Wis. Stat. § 893.54, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence rule (Wis. Stat. § 895.045) applies if the driver is found.

7

Help police find the driver

Actively assist the investigation: check the area for surveillance cameras (businesses, traffic cameras, ATMs), post on local community forums asking if anyone witnessed it (without discussing your injuries or legal claim publicly), ask nearby businesses about footage, and check with WisDOT for traffic camera footage near the Beltline, I-90/94, or other state highways.

Vehicle debris at the scene (broken headlight, mirror, paint transfer) can help investigators identify the make and model.

8

Consult a personal injury attorney

Hit-and-run cases involve claims against your own insurer, parallel criminal investigations, and the possibility the driver surfaces later. An experienced attorney can navigate your UM claim, coordinate with law enforcement, pursue the driver if identified, and maximize compensation from all available sources.

Most work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they recover for you.

Madison Hit-and-Run Facts

Felony offense

Leaving the scene of an injury accident in Wisconsin

Wis. Stat. § 346.67

3 Years

statute of limitations for personal injury claims

Wis. Stat. § 893.54

UM Coverage

Wisconsin insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage — your safety net

Wis. Stat. § 632.32

Hit-and-run is a serious crime in Wisconsin

Under Wis. Stat. § 346.67, any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death is required to immediately stop, provide their information, and render reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a Class H felony punishable by up to 6 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. If the hit-and-run results in death, the charge escalates to a Class D felony carrying up to 25 years in prison. Even for accidents involving only property damage, leaving the scene is a criminal misdemeanor. Wisconsin law enforcement agencies actively investigate hit-and-run cases. Madison Police, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Patrol all have resources dedicated to identifying fleeing drivers, including surveillance camera review, vehicle part analysis, and coordination with area body shops.

Why uninsured motorist coverage matters

If the hit-and-run driver is never identified, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage becomes your primary source of compensation. UM coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages up to your policy limits — essentially stepping into the shoes of the missing driver’s insurance. Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 632.32) requires insurance companies to offer UM coverage to all policyholders. While you can decline it in writing, financial experts and attorneys strongly recommend carrying it. UM coverage typically costs only a small amount per month relative to the protection it provides — and in a hit-and-run scenario, it can be the difference between receiving compensation and receiving nothing. When filing a UM claim with your own insurer, be aware that your insurance company’s goal is still to minimize what they pay. Treat the UM claims process with the same caution you would when dealing with any other insurance company — keep your statements factual and brief, and consider consulting an attorney before accepting a settlement.

Common hit-and-run scenarios in Madison

Hit-and-runs in the Madison area commonly involve several patterns. Vehicles striking pedestrians or cyclists — especially near UW-Madison campus, State Street, and East Washington Avenue where foot and bike traffic is heavy — then fleeing the scene. Parking lot collisions where the at-fault driver leaves without providing information. Drivers fleeing after crashes on the Beltline or I-90/94, sometimes because they are impaired, unlicensed, or driving a stolen vehicle. And incidents involving stolen vehicles that are abandoned after the crash. Madison’s isthmus geography means many hit-and-runs occur on the limited corridors connecting the east and west sides of the city, where traffic cameras and business surveillance may help identify the fleeing vehicle. The UW-Madison campus area sees particular risk during evening hours and on weekends when nightlife, events, and alcohol are involved.

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Hit-and-Run FAQ — Madison & Wisconsin

Call 911 immediately. Give every detail about the fleeing vehicle. Get medical attention. Document everything and file a police report.

Yes — through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

Three years under Wis. Stat. § 893.54. Notify your insurance company promptly.

Yes, if there was an injury. Class H felony, up to 6 years prison. If someone died, Class D felony, up to 25 years.

Generally, no. UM claims are not at-fault claims.

You can pursue a full personal injury claim against them. The criminal case and civil claim are separate.

You may have a UM claim on your own auto policy, or may pursue other avenues. Consult an attorney.

Check for surveillance cameras, post in local community groups for witnesses, look for vehicle debris at the scene, and follow up with the investigating officer regularly.

Related Guides in Madison

Car Accident in Madison
Pedestrian Accident in Madison
Drunk Driving Accident in Madison
View all injury guides for Madison, WI →

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InjuryNextSteps.com provides general informational content and is not a law firm. The information on this page does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every accident is different. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. The legal information on this page references Wisconsin statutes and is current as of 2025 but may change. Always verify with a qualified attorney.

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