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.
The aftermath of a serious car accident can feel extremely overwhelming. From seeking the medical treatment you need to tracking down witnesses and attempting to get back on your feet financially, you have so much to do - and filing an insurance claim may be the last thing on your mind.
Fortunately, you don’t have to do this alone. An experienced Milwaukee auto accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need from the insurance companies to move forward. Your attorney can also explain the different types of claims available that you are able to file and can build a strong case to maximize your potential settlement.
Here, we will share a brief overview of the types of auto insurance claims you can file and how a skilled personal injury attorney can help you prepare one.
When you are involved in a car accident with a driver who carries liability insurance, you can file a claim against that driver’s policy. This is often called a “third-party” insurance claim, since you do not have a contract with the other driver’s insurer.
When you file a third-party claim, your auto accident lawyer will contact the other driver’s insurance company to initiate the claims process. When the claim is set up, your lawyer will provide the necessary documentation in effort to get the insurance company to accept insurance coverage and liability. This may include the following types of information and evidence:
When you finish treating for your injuries or when it has been determined that you have a permanent injury or require future medical treatment, then your attorney will also provide additional documentation to the insurance company such as medical records, medical bills, permanency reports, lost wages, etc. as it relates to your injuries. This process often involves a series of negotiations between your attorney and the claims adjuster. A skilled personal injury attorney will work hard to ensure you are not pressured into settling for less than you deserve.
Wisconsin law requires all motorists to purchase liability insurance. Nonetheless, there are many drivers out there who can’t afford - or don’t bother to apply for - auto insurance. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, you will likely have to turn to your own insurance to pay for your damages. This is referred to as a "first party" insurance claim as it is against your own insurance company.
The State requires all drivers to carry minimum uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for personal injuries. This coverage will pay for damages that you sustained when hit by an uninsured motorist.
However, this type of coverage does not pay for property damage to your vehicle. Property damage would be handled through the collision coverage portion of your policy.
Although Wisconsin law imposes minimum requirements for uninsured motorist coverage, it is not mandatory to purchase underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in our State.
UIM coverage provides an increased amount of coverage if you are injured in an accident caused by a motorist who was underinsured. UIM coverage increases the bodily injury protection if the limits of the at fault party are less than your UIM limits.
When you are injured in a car accident, you need diligent, high-quality representation - regardless if you file a third party insurance claim or a claim against your own insurance company.
Milwaukee car accident law firm Natasha Misra Law can help. With a history of helping accident victims recover the compensation they deserve, we stand ready to discuss your case with you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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.