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.

Wisconsin offers a wide range of water recreation options, including boating adventures. Unfortunately, most boating wrecks are caused by excessive speed, operator inexperience, improper lookout, and intoxication. Additionally, boating accidents can lead to injuries, both minor and severe. 

Knowing what to do in case of a boating accident can save you a lot of trouble and ensure the situation is under control. Here are important steps to take immediately after a boating accident in Wisconsin.

Ensure Safety

Ensuring everyone is safe after a boating crash should be your priority. If the boat is still afloat after an accident, do a headcount to see whether everyone is still onboard. If not, find the missing occupants and bring them back into the boat. Administer first aid to the injured occupants, if any. You should also consider calling emergency medical services if there are injuries or signs of an injury.

Call Law Enforcement

If your boat collided with another boat or other water vessel causing property damage or injury, there should be a record of the incident. The job of law enforcement is to assess the situation and file a report. This report will be mainly beneficial if you file a lawsuit against the negligent party.

Document the Event

Once you ensure everyone is safe, the next step is to document the events of the accident. Documentation should start as early as the day the wreck happened. The process of gathering information should include the following details:

  • Take pictures of the accident scene and the boat’s current condition.
  • Gather contact information of all those involved in the accident.
  • Document the boat’s registration details and information details.
  • Request a copy of the police statement.
  • Collect witness statements and other important details of the incident.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Another essential step is to let your insurer know about the accident. Your insurance company is responsible for reimbursing you for any damages caused on your vessel based on the terms and conditions of your boat insurance policy.

Seek Medical Attention

After being involved in a boating accident, it’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. While you might not think you’re hurt, you could have sustained injuries that won’t be noticeable until later, or when they’ve gotten considerably worse. More serious injuries that might not be noticeable right away can include: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries 
  • Broken bones 
  • Burns 
  • Accidental amputations 
  • Soft tissue damage 

Of course, not all boating accidents have to result in serious injury, but seeking medical treatment for things like minor cuts and scrapes can also prevent infection later, even if they seem minor at the moment. 

Get a Wisconsin Boating Accident Attorney

If you decide to file a lawsuit, an attorney can help investigate your accident and gather the necessary evidence to build a robust case against the at-fault party. A skilled attorney can make your legal recourse easier and more efficient.

Boating accident attorneys understand Wisconsin court systems and are aware of the rules that will apply to your case and will do everything possible to make your claim successful.

Contact Natasha Misra Law

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Wisconsin boating accident that resulted in serious injuries or damages, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve at Natasha Misra Law. We serve clients across Wisconsin, including Madison, Milwaukee, Appleton, Hales Corners, and Green Bay.

Contact us online or call us at (414) 210-3834 to schedule a free consultation with Natasha Misra, our lead Wisconsin boating accident attorney.

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.