Wisconsin's Impaired-Driving Problem
Wisconsin consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of drunk driving, and OWI (operating while intoxicated) crashes cause hundreds of deaths and serious injuries each year. A civil injury claim is separate from any criminal OWI prosecution — you can pursue compensation regardless of whether the driver is convicted.
Civil Claims and Punitive Damages
Beyond compensatory damages for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, Wisconsin law allows punitive damages under Wis. Stat. § 895.043 when a driver acted with intentional disregard for the rights of others. Driving drunk is frequently the kind of conduct that supports a punitive award, which is meant to punish and deter.
Wisconsin's Dram Shop and Social Host Rules
Wisconsin's dram shop law is narrow: commercial establishments generally are not liable for serving an intoxicated adult, but liability can attach for knowingly serving alcohol to a minor who then causes a crash. Identifying every potential source of recovery — the driver, their insurer, and in limited cases a provider who served a minor — is part of building a strong case.
Why Act Quickly
Evidence in an OWI crash — blood-alcohol results, bar receipts, surveillance video, and witness memories — can disappear fast. Acting quickly lets your attorney preserve this evidence, coordinate with the criminal case, and build the strongest possible civil claim. Wisconsin's three-year statute of limitations applies.
Injured in Wisconsin? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A civil injury claim is separate and can proceed regardless of the criminal case outcome.
Extra damages meant to punish reckless conduct like drunk driving, available under Wis. Stat. § 895.043 in appropriate cases.
Usually not for serving an intoxicated adult, but possibly if they served a minor who then caused the crash.
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.