If you’ve been in a car accident in Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, Green Bay, or anywhere in Wisconsin, the moments afterward can shape your recovery — physically, emotionally, and financially. When no officer arrives to take an official accident report, you might feel like you’ve lost a key piece of your case. But you still have every right to protect yourself and pursue the compensation you deserve.

At Natasha Misra Law, we’ve built our practice on helping accident victims across Wisconsin through challenges just like this. We take the time to understand your situation, explain your options, and handle the details so you can focus on getting back on your feet. Here’s what to do next.

Step 1: Become Your Own Investigator

If law enforcement isn’t coming, you need to build the record yourself:

Take photos – Capture vehicle damage, license plates, injuries, debris, and the full accident scene from different angles.

Exchange information – Get names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plates, and insurance details from everyone involved.

Talk to witnesses – Politely ask for their contact information and a brief statement about what they saw.

Think of this as creating your own “mini report”; it can become vital evidence later.

Step 2: File a Crash Report with the State

Wisconsin law says you must file a Driver Report of Crash within 10 days if:

  • Anyone was injured or killed
  • There was $1,000 or more in damage to any one person’s property
  • There was $200 or more in damage to government property

You file this report with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) — not the DMV. You can do it online or request a paper form. It’s the state’s official record of your crash, and it can make or break an insurance claim.

Step 3: Let Your Insurance Company Know

Report the accident to your insurer as soon as you can. Stick to the facts you documented. Don’t admit fault or guess at details — just provide the evidence you’ve gathered.

Step 4: Get Checked Out

Not all injuries show up right away. A stiff neck today could be a serious soft tissue injury tomorrow. Seeing a doctor immediately protects your health and ties your injuries directly to the crash in the medical record.

Step 5: Call a Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyer

When there’s no police report, insurance companies often push back harder. Having the right lawyer means you’re not fighting alone. At Natasha Misra Law, we:

  • Have handled thousands of auto, truck, and motorcycle accident cases across Wisconsin
  • Include property damage help at no extra cost — we’ll deal with repairs, rentals, and towing so you don’t have to
  • Offer language access in Spanish in-house and nearly any language through on-demand interpretation, including Burmese and Rohingya
  • Keep you in the loop, so you always know what’s happening with your case

Don’t Let a Missing Accident Report Derail Your Claim

You only get one chance to get this right. Call (414) 210-3834 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll guide you through the reporting process, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Reach out now to get a lawyer who’s not just another suit.

If you’ve been injured and are thinking about hiring a Milwaukee personal injury attorney, you may have heard legal terms like “damages,” and you might be wondering what exactly this means. 

What are damages in a personal injury suit? How are they calculated, and what kind of damages can you get for your injuries? In this blog post, we discuss everything you need to know below. 

What Are Damages? Explaining The Basics

Generally, the term “damages” or “injury damages” refers to the monetary payments made to an injured person to compensate them for their injuries and losses. These damages vary, but usually include the following: 

  • Medical expenses, such as payments for hospital bills
  • Replacing or fixing damaged property like a totaled vehicle in a car accident
  • Lost wages or future lost earning capacity due to an inability to work
  • Compensatory damages for pain and suffering, both physical and mental
  • Punitive damages levied by a judge to punish the defendant and discourage them of such future behavior
  • Funeral costs and compensation for emotional distress if a person dies due to their injuries

It’s important to note that a defendant must be found liable for the injury for damages to be levied. In other words, the plaintiff must be able to prove that they were negligent and at fault before these damages can be recovered.

How Are Damages Calculated? 

There is no specific formula or method for calculating damages under Wisconsin law. This means that the amount of compensation can vary quite a bit. In general, though, the amount will be higher for more severe injuries.

So, as an example, experiencing multiple broken bones and head trauma in a car accident will usually result in higher compensation than if you were injured due to a slip and fall and broke your wrist.

However, the amount of damages you can actually recover may depend on the policy limits of your insurance or the insurance and personal assets of the person responsible for causing your injuries.

How Are Damages Proven In A Personal Injury Case?

There are a variety of different ways that a plaintiff may present evidence to prove that they deserve a certain amount of compensation. Among other things, a plaintiff may use:

  • Medical bills and medical records
  • Expert testimony, such as testimony or evaluations from a doctor
  • Their own testimony and that of loved ones and family members
  • Photo documentation of injuries and/or damage to property
  • Documentation of missed work for lost wage claims

The Responsibility Of An Injury Victim To Mitigate Damages With Medical Care 

Even if you have been injured due to the negligent or intentional actions of another person, you have the duty to minimize and mitigate damages. This means that you must take steps to reduce the effects of your injuries and losses. This duty requires you to act as an “ordinary and reasonable” person would. 

For example, you must seek medical help and continue to follow a medical treatment plan if you have been injured. Or, if you have lost your job due to an accident but are able to work, you may be expected to seek other employment.

If a plaintiff fails in this duty to mitigate damages, this will be taken into account at court, and their damages may be reduced accordingly. 

Get Help From A Milwaukee Personal Injury Attorney – Contact Natasha Misra Law!

If you need an experienced personal injury attorney in Milwaukee, Natasha Misra is here to help. Natasha and the team at Natasha Misra Law can help you document your injuries, collect evidence, and present the best possible case while pursuing a personal injury claim. 

We’re always here to help, so contact us online to get the assistance and legal advice you need as you pursue the damages you deserve in Milwaukee or anywhere else in Wisconsin.

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.