Most people expect that after a car accident, the police will show up, write everything down, and file a report. That report becomes the official record of what happened. It will contain who was there, what the scene looked like, what witnesses said, and sometimes even who was at fault.
But what if that report never exists? Whether it’s because someone just forgot to call 911 or for some other reason, a car accident without a police report does not mean you are out of luck. But it does mean you need to find strong evidence to prove the liability of the negligent party.
Why Do Some Car Accidents Not Have a Police Report?
There are a few reasons why, in some accident claims, no report at the local police station is filed.
- Minor damage: Maybe it was just a fender bender in a parking lot, and no one seemed injured.
- No one called: In the confusion after a crash, it’s surprisingly easy for both drivers to assume someone else called the police.
- Police didn’t respond: In some areas, officers might not come to the scene if there are no injuries and the vehicles are drivable.
- Delayed injuries: You might have thought you were fine at the scene, only to realize hours or days later that something is not right.
In Wisconsin, drivers are legally required to report a crash if it involves injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more (or $200 or more if the damage is to government property). But even when a crash should be reported, that doesn’t always happen. And filing claims without police documentation can lead to challenges down the road.
How Important Is a Police Report?
An official police report can be incredibly useful when it comes to proving what happened in a crash. It may include:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- Observations about road and weather conditions
- Diagrams of the accident scene
- Details about citations or suspected fault
In many cases, the other driver’s insurance company will rely on these reports as a starting point when determining who was at fault in the auto accident. If that report doesn’t exist, you or your personal injury lawyer will need to find alternative ways to prove your side of the story.
What If You Already Left the Crash Site?
Even if you left the crash site without calling the police, it’s still not too late to pursue a car accident claim with your insurance provider.
File a Driver’s Report of Accident
In Wisconsin, you can fill out a Driver Report of Accident (MV4002) through the DMV. This form becomes your official account of what happened. While it doesn’t carry the same weight as a police report, it’s still useful documentation. The form asks for:
- Driver and vehicle information
- Description of the accident
- Details about injuries or damage
If you or your car accident lawyers submit these items within 10 days of the crash, it helps show that you took the situation seriously and tried to follow the proper procedures.
How Does the Lack of a Police Report Affect Your Insurance Claim?
Here’s where things get tricky. Insurance companies love documentation. The more official, the better. So if there was no police immediately on the scene and there is no accident report, they might be skeptical if the other driver has a conflicting version of who caused the motor vehicle accident. The insurance company might:
- Question whether the crash even happened
- Deny or delay your claim
- Blame you for the accident
- Push for a lower settlement, citing lack of evidence
But this doesn’t mean you are stuck with adverse legal consequences. You can still file a claim for major or minor accidents to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
What Can You Use Instead of a Police Report?
Just because the police didn’t document your crash doesn’t mean you can’t. There are many other ways to support your version of events.
Photos and Videos
If you took pictures at the scene of the vehicles, damage, license plates, skid marks, injuries, weather, traffic signs, those can be valuable evidence. Dashcam or surveillance footage is even better if you have it. If you get legal representation quickly, your car accident attorney can swiftly obtain all possible evidence to build a strong case for damages.
Witness Statements
Did anyone stop to help or see what happened? If so, their statements (or even contact details) could help confirm your story later. Independent witnesses carry a lot of weight in personal injury cases. Your lawyer may also use sources or surveillance footage to identify witnesses and interview them if you contact them soon after the accident.
Medical Records
When you visit a doctor right after the crash, it can help establish a timeline. If your injuries are consistent with a crash, that supports your claim even without a report filed by a police officer under state law.
Vehicle Repair Records
You should also get your car inspected to prove damage and accident-related wear. The mechanic’s report may back up the extent and cause of the impact.
Your Own Written Statement
Be prepared to write down exactly what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind. This can help keep your story straight, even if weeks or months pass before it becomes relevant again.
The Other Driver Tries to Change Their Story
One of the biggest risks in crashes without police reports is that the other driver could suddenly deny responsibility or even claim you were at fault. Maybe they were apologetic at the scene, and you exchanged insurance information and agreed to just “handle it through insurance.” But then their adjuster calls and says you rear-ended them.
That’s where the evidence your attorney collects will matter most. Without that evidence, it becomes your word against theirs. Negligent parties do not want to face legal consequences, and insurers don’t want to pay injury claims, whether it is a minor fender bender or a catastrophic accident.
More Power. More Fight. The Most Heart.
At Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, we fight for injured victims even in cases where the evidence wasn’t picture-perfect. Our team digs deeper, asks smarter questions, and refuses to let missing paperwork become the reason for claim denial. With a proven track record of more than $200 million recovered, we are strongly positioned to represent you. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 855-954-1186 or contact us online.
