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.

Why an Accident Report Matters

An accident report serves as an official, third-party record of your accident. It often includes:

  • The date, time, and location of the crash
  • Statements from the drivers and any witnesses
  • The officer’s observations and sometimes even a fault determination

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.

Can You Still File a Claim Without It?

Yes. You can still file a car accident claim without an accident report — but your claim will likely need stronger supporting evidence.

That includes:

  • Photos of the damage, scene, and injuries
  • Medical records showing your treatment
  • Witness statements
  • Repair estimates
  • Proof of missed work due to the accident

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.

What If the Other Driver Changes Their Story?

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:

  • Someone is injured
  • There’s $1,000 or more in property damage
  • A government-owned vehicle is involved
  • When in doubt, call.

When to Call an Accident Injury Lawyer in Wisconsin

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.

Contact Natasha Misra Law Today, and Get a Lawyer Who’s Not Just Another Suit

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.

Why Is An Accident Report Important?

An accident report is an important document that is used to support your personal injury claim after a car accident. When an accident is reported, the law enforcement officer responding to the scene will usually prepare an accident report. The accident report contains crucial information relating to the officer's investigation of the accident. This information includes the name of the parties involved in the accident along with insurance information.

What Is In An Accident Report?

An accident report will provide comprehensive details about the accident. The responding law enforcement officer will usually prepare an accident report to document the investigation of the accident. The accident report usually contains information about who caused the accident, where the accident took place, what time of day the accident happened and other conditions. It also contains the names of the parties involved in the accident along with insurance information. If there are witnesses to the accident, the officer will usually include such information in the report as well. All of this information can be used by personal injury attorneys and insurance companies in the investigation of the accident.

How To Get An Accident Report In Milwaukee

An accident report also known as the "Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Crash Report" is available online through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for a small fee.  Generally, a reportable accident may take up to 10 days and sometimes longer to appear on the government website. Non-reportable accidents, meaning accidents that do not involve injury, substantial property damage or damage to government property, are treated differently and will not be on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation portal and will usually require an in-person, mail or email request from the responding law enforcement agency.

If you were injured in a car accident in the City of Milwaukee, you can also search for your accident report using the Traffic Accident Lookup page on the Official Website of the City of Milwaukee. To request information about a non-reportable car accidents, you can send a mail or email request to the Milwaukee Police Department Open Records Section. If you cannot find your accident report after 10 business days, you can call the Milwaukee Police Department Open Records Section at (414) 935-7435 for further assistance.

Contact A Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney

When you are injured in an automobile accident, you require diligent representation that will fully investigate your case. Milwaukee Personal Injury Attorney Natasha Misra will help you obtain your accident report and use the accident report to support a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your injuries. Contact Natasha Misra Law today for a free consultation and speak with a Milwaukee car accident lawyer today.

Natasha Misra

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.