After a car accident in Milwaukee that seems minor, you may feel it is unnecessary to call police to the crash scene. It is much more convenient to simply exchange insurance information and move on with your day. But even fender benders and other “minor collisions” can quickly evolve into a complex legal and financial nightmare if not properly handled.
At PKSD, we have a highly qualified legal team that helps injured crash victims every day, and we are quite familiar with how small collisions cause more damage than the victims initially thought possible. When you hire our law firm, you benefit from having skilled legal representation protecting your rights and best interests from day one. We always seek the full compensation you deserve – not just what insurance companies are willing to offer.
After a car accident, don’t leave your injuries or your future to chance. Contact our experienced car accident lawyers in Milwaukee today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Request a FREE case review with a PKSD attorney today. 414-333-3333
Am I Legally Required to Call Police After Every Car Accident in Wisconsin?
No – in Wisconsin, there is no law that says you must call the police for every single car accident. That said Wisconsin Statute 346.70 does state some mandatory reasons that you MUST call police after a car crash. It is important to be familiar with this law because the threshold for mandatory reporting of a car accident is much lower than what many drivers realize.
In Wisconsin, the law requires you to immediately contact police if you are involved in a traffic incident that results in:
- Injury to any driver, vehicle occupant, or other individual, such as a pedestrian or cyclist, involved in a crash
- Property damage that totals $1,000 or more
- Any car accident that causes an individual fatal harm
It is a no-brainer that you should not hesitate to call the police if anyone gets hurt in a crash, no matter how minor it may seem. Given the high cost of most vehicle repairs today, even a minor sideswipe or fender bender could easily exceed property damage thresholds. In short, you would need to contact police after most Milwaukee car accidents.
What Happens If I Fail to Report a Car Accident to Police in Milwaukee?
The penalties for not reporting a car accident, especially if someone gets hurt, can be extremely serious. A basic failure to report a car accident could result in a traffic ticket with fines and points on your license. But drivers who fail to call the police or leave the scene when injuries are involved could face criminal charges. Those penalties are extremely severe, resulting in heavy fines, a suspended license, or jail time.
The bottom line? If you are ever in a situation where you are not sure whether to call, err on the side of caution. There is no downside to reporting an accident that is considered minor or technically does not require it.
How Do You Know at a Crash Scene if Your Damage Is $1,000 or More?
The honest answer? You probably can’t tell for sure. Even experienced mechanics and insurance adjusters often need to have a repair shop provide an accurate repair estimate.
It doesn’t help that many newer vehicles may hide damage to expensive technology even when the overall damage to the vehicle looks minor. That small dent near your rear bumper might have damaged $800 parking sensors. A tiny crack in your headlight could mean replacing an entire LED assembly that costs $1,200. Even a scratched door handle on a newer car can run $600 to fix properly. It may be best to err on the side of caution and assume that any damage to a newer vehicle meets that $1,000 threshold.
When Should You Always Call 911 After a Milwaukee Car Accident?
Certain situations require immediate police involvement, even if there seems to be little to no vehicle damage. These circumstances specifically involve safety, legal, or practical concerns where having official documentation is not only wise but often required.
Always call 911 after a car accident in Milwaukee in these situations:
- Someone Is Injured: Even minor complaints like neck stiffness or headaches can indicate serious trauma that adrenaline is masking
- Disagreement About Fault: Conflicting stories about what happened require neutral, official documentation
- Wrecked Vehicles Blocking Traffic: If the vehicles involved create a safety hazard for passing traffic, law enforcement can help to route traffic around the crash scene.
- A Driver Seems Impaired: Signs of drug or alcohol use by any driver involved.
- Insurance/License Missing: Anyone involved lacks proper documentation or valid insurance.
- Aggressive/Suspicious Behavior: Trust your gut if the other driver seems hostile, confused, or pressures you not to call police.
- Hit-and-Run Potential: If there is any chance the other party might leave before you can exchange information.
How Not Having a Police Report Could Affect Your Milwaukee Insurance Claim
Not calling the police after a car accident is a financial gamble, especially if your damages are greater than you expected. Insurance companies put considerable weight on official police reports when determining fault. First responders are objective third parties that have no interest in the outcome of a claim. Not having this documentation could make it much harder to get your claim approved or recover any amount of compensation.
Obstacles you may face include:
- Higher Scrutiny of Your Claim
- Delayed Claim Processing
- Disputed Fault
- Lower Settlement Offers
- Denied Claim
- Higher Burden of Proof
- Insurance Premium Increases
- Legal Vulnerability
- Reduced Credibility
What Steps Should You Take Immediately After Any Car Accident in Milwaukee?
Your priority is to remain calm, assess the situation, and to do what you can to protect yourselves and others from further harm.
After checking yourself and others for injuries, these are the next immediate steps to take at the scene:
- Lower Settlement Offers
- Higher Scrutiny of Your Claim
- Delayed Claim Processing
- Disputed Fault
- Denied Claim
- Higher Burden of Proof
- Insurance Premium Increases
- Legal Vulnerability
- Reduced Credibility
Why Even “Minor” Milwaukee Car Accidents Can Lead to Major Legal and Medical Issues
What seems like a harmless fender bender today can become a serious legal and financial problem weeks or months down the road. This is especially true if your injuries don’t show up immediately or when you discover that “minor” damage is more significant and costly than you thought.
Hidden consequences of “minor” accidents:
- Delayed Injuries: Soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, and spinal trauma may not fully manifest for days to weeks after the accident. What started as minor neck stiffness can lead to months of physical therapy, diagnostic tests, and specialist treatment
- Internal Vehicle Damage: Costly damage to internal high-tech safety systems, like airbag sensors, structural components, and computerized systems can result in severe damage, ongoing mechanical issues, and the diminished value of your vehicle.
- Escalating Medical Costs: What starts as minor neck stiffness can lead to months of physical therapy, diagnostic tests, and specialist treatments
- Lost Wages: Your “minor” injuries may prevent you from being able to work or perform basic daily activities.
Wisconsin gives you limited time to file injury claims, which is why getting a police report, seeking medical attention, and consulting with a lawyer is a good idea.
Injured in a Minor Car Accident? Call Our Trusted Law Firm Today
At PKSD, we have a deep commitment to helping victims injured by the negligence of others. Unlike the insurance company, our goals are aligned with yours. We always seek the maximum possible compensation for our clients, and we have the staff and resources to get to work on your behalf right away.
Worried about the costs of hiring a lawyer? Don’t be. We don’t charge you upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. Since we take injury cases on contingency, we only get paid if you do.
Call today: 414-333-3333 or complete our quick and easy online evaluation form.
