After getting in a car accident in Wisconsin, you may have many questions. How will you afford your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs? Who could be liable for your injuries? And how will the accident affect your insurance rate?
When a driver gets into a car accident, it gets recorded on their driving record, which can impact their insurance and, in some cases, their employment. Understanding how long an accident stays on your record is an essential part of preparing for your insurance claim.
What Does a Wisconsin Driving Record Contain?
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), a driving record contains information such as your name, address, and physical description. It also includes any crashes you’ve been involved in and tickets you’ve received in the past five years.
In the section detailing the crashes you were involved in, the record may indicate whether you were found at fault in the accident, and any notes the police officer who responded to the scene included in the incident report.
How Long Do Accidents Stay on Your Driving Record?
WisDOT typically retains information from the past five years within your driving record. However, certain information may be retained longer. For example, if you have a conviction for driving under the influence, that may remain on your record permanently.
Law enforcement, courts, insurance companies, and sometimes, potential employers can access the information found in your record by submitting a request online. While most employers may not require you to provide a copy of your record, if you work as a truck or school bus driver, your employer may ask for it.
What Are the Insurance Implications of Having an Accident on Your Record?
The insurance implication of having an accident on your record is that your premium may increase. Typically, premium increases follow accidents for which you were found to be at fault. However, your insurance company may raise your rate even if you were not at fault for the collision.
In most cases, the rate increase only lasts for a few years, and potentially for as long as the accident is on your driving record.
Can You Remove an Accident From Your Record?
Under most circumstances, you cannot remove an accident from your record. However, you may be able to update your driving record if there are errors, such as if it states that you were at fault for an accident in which you were found not to be at fault.
A lawyer can help you request a correction and gather the evidence you may need to provide when doing so, such as a police report or insurance claim.
How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were in a Wisconsin car accident and sustained injuries, our lawyers can help. We’ll investigate the accident to determine who was at fault, gather supporting evidence, and calculate the value of your case.
Our team will also deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and negotiate with them to seek a fair settlement. And we’ll take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer enough compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more.
Contact Our Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyers
For dedicated, experienced representation after a car accident, contact Atterbury, Kammer & Haag, S.C. We’re a low-volume, high-quality law firm based in Madison, WI, and pride ourselves on peer acclaim and satisfied clients rather than relying on flashy advertising. Our lawyers handle each case personally from start to finish and make a point to get to know you and the struggles you’re facing because of your car accident injuries.