Auto Accidents
You just got rear-ended at a stoplight in Madison. The other driver seems cooperative, and the damage doesn’t look too bad, so you both decide not to call the police. A few days later, your neck starts to hurt, your car needs more repairs than you thought — and now you’re wondering how to file a claim.
But then reality hits: there’s no accident report. Can you still file a car accident claim in Wisconsin?
The short answer is yes — but it can be more complicated. At Natasha Misra Law, we’ve helped drivers across Milwaukee, Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, and Hales Corners handle accident claims with and without accident reports. Here's what you need to know.
An accident report serves as an official, third-party record of your accident. It often includes:
Insurance companies often rely on accident reports when deciding how to handle a claim. Without one, the process can feel like your word against the other driver’s.
Yes. You can still file a car accident claim without an accident report — but your claim will likely need stronger supporting evidence.
That includes:
Without an accident report, it’s even more important to act quickly and stay organized. The insurance company may be more likely to challenge your version of events, delay your claim, or offer less than you deserve.
This is a common issue when there’s no report to back up what really happened. At the scene, the other driver may admit fault or apologize — but a week later, their insurance company says you were to blame.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to involve the police, even in minor crashes. In Wisconsin, you’re legally required to report the accident to police if:
If you’ve been injured in a crash and there’s no accident report, it’s a smart idea to speak with a personal injury attorney early on. At Natasha Misra Law, we help people who’ve been hurt in car accidents navigate claims, even when the case starts out messy or unclear.
We’ll help gather the evidence, build your case, and handle communication with the insurance companies — so you can focus on recovering. Our personal injury team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win.
We also offer multilingual support through a professional translation service, so if you or a loved one speaks Spanish, Burmese, Rohingya, or another language, we’re ready to help.
No accident report? Don’t panic — and don’t give up on your claim. Whether your accident happened in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Hales Corners, Madison, or Appleton, we’re here to help you figure out the next step and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Get a free consultation today. You deserve answers. You deserve to recover.
Seat belts are designed to keep us safe, but what happens if an accident leads to injuries caused by the very restraint that was supposed to protect us? If you were injured by your seat belt in an accident, you may have a claim. Here is a quick overview of what to expect if you have seat belt injuries following a car accident.
Seat belts are intended to keep you safe in the event of an accident. By restraining you securely in your seat, seat belts can prevent ejection and fatality. However, although proper seat belt use may save your life, it can also lead to serious bodily harm. To do its job, the seat belt must be tight and, in an accident, the force of the seat belt can result in injuries ranging from mild bruising to a severe and potentially life-threatening aortic injury.
Seat belts are designed to lock upon impact. Unlike when you are bending down to retrieve something under your seat or to toss something into the back, the seat belt will not move with you in an accident. Upon impact, this force can cause significant bruising, broken bones, abdominal contusions, shoulder injuries, soft tissue injuries, and even open wounds.
Bruised or fractured ribs are common seat belt injuries, but high impact accidents can also result in dislocated bones. These injuries and other chest or sternum bruising can make it difficult to breathe and may even affect your heart and other internal organs.
Additionally, the impact of the seat belt at the shoulder and abdomen can cause soft tissue injuries which may not be immediately apparent. Torn muscle fibers or tendons in the shoulder typically cause pain, discomfort, swelling, and bruising soon after the impact; however, injuries to the abdomen may not cause pain right away. Because soft tissue injuries like herniated or bulging discs can result in chronic pain and discomfort requiring long-term medical treatment and therapy, it is imperative to seek a medical evaluation after an accident even if you are not experiencing immediate pain or an obvious injury.
If you experienced bruising, contusions, or other injuries in an accident, you should take photos of your injuries. Photographs of bruising, for example, are important documentation when seeking compensation after an accident.
Less severe injuries like bruising and soreness can be treated with rest, ice compression, and OTC pain medicine. However, more severe injuries such as soft tissue or skeletal issues often require medical intervention which may include casting, splints, or other corrective measures. Physical therapy or chiropractic care may be adequate, long-term treatment options for soft tissue injuries, but it is not uncommon for surgical intervention to be required for more serious injuries.
Generally speaking, yes. You may be entitled to recover damages for your pain, suffering, and to reimburse you for associated medical expenses. A court will consider the severity of your injuries, impact on your life, and associated medical expenses in determining your damages award. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand the value of your case.
My law practice is dedicated to helping people who have suffered injuries in accidents which were not their fault. Born and raised in Milwaukee, I come from a family of medical professionals. My background and experience help me understand and represent individuals injured in accidents.
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