When you’re injured in a car accident, everything changes in an instant - your health, your finances, and your peace of mind. Whether the crash happened in Appleton, Green Bay, or anywhere else in Northern WI, we want to help. At Natasha Misra Law, we understand what you’re going through and are committed to helping you get back on your feet—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Let’s take a look at something that can become a major roadblock to your recovery, the insurance companies, and how a car accident attorney can help you.
When you’ve been in a car accident, insurance companies may seem helpful at first, but their primary goal is to minimize what they pay out. Here are some common tactics they use to deny or reduce your claim:
Offering a Quick, Lowball Settlement: Insurance companies often push for a quick settlement, offering a sum far lower than what you may actually need. They hope you’ll accept before realizing the full extent of your injuries and financial losses. It may seem tempting, especially if you have medical bills piling up, but accepting this early offer can leave you short on funds later when more expenses arise.
Disputing Liability: Even if it’s clear that the other driver was at fault, insurance companies might still try to argue that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident. In Wisconsin, your compensation can be reduced if you're found partially at fault due to the comparative negligence rule. Their goal is to reduce their liability and, ultimately, your payout.
Downplaying Your Injuries: Insurance adjusters often question the severity of your injuries, suggesting that they aren’t as serious as you claim or that they were pre-existing. They may request access to your medical records, hoping to find something that weakens your claim.
Delaying the Process: By dragging out the claims process, insurers hope you’ll become frustrated and settle for less just to resolve the situation. The longer they wait, the more desperate accident victims can become, leading them to accept a lower offer than they deserve.
Pressuring You to Make Recorded Statements: Insurance companies may ask for a recorded statement soon after the accident, hoping you’ll say something they can use against you later. These statements can be taken out of context and used to downplay the severity of the accident or your injuries.
Understanding these tactics is key to protecting your rights and making sure you receive the compensation you deserve. At Natasha Misra Law, we know how to deal with these insurance company strategies, and we’re here to fight for your best interests every step of the way. Don’t let them push you into a settlement that doesn’t reflect your true losses, let us handle the negotiations for you.
Natasha Misra didn’t just become a personal injury attorney by chance. Helping people has always been her passion. She saw the devastating effects car, motorcycle, and truck accidents could have on individuals and their families. People are often left facing mounting medical bills, long-term disabilities, and the loss of essential things like their ability to work or their only vehicle. Natasha founded her firm to make a difference in these people’s lives by offering personalized attention and aggressive representation, and she can help you too.
We want to get you back on your feet and on the road as soon as possible. Our Milwaukee law firm represents all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay unless we win. Contact Natasha Misra Law today for a free consultation. Let us help you secure the compensation you deserve. Your recovery starts here.
Wisconsin drivers are required to report motor vehicle accidents that involve:
Those involved in the accident are required to report the accident to the police department, the sheriff’s department, the traffic department or the Wisconsin State Patrol. If a law enforcement officer responds to the accident, they have 10 days to file a report with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, or WisDOT.
In some cases, however, law enforcement may not respond to a car accident. In those situations, the individuals involved in the accident are required to report the crash to WisDOT. Drivers may get a letter from WisDOT requesting them to complete a report. If you receive this request from WisDOT, then you are required to complete the report. If you do not file a report or complete a report sent to you by WisDOT, then you may be fined for your failure to comply.
If law enforcement does not respond to your accident, then you will need to submit an accident report to WisDOT. To do this, you will need to complete an online form titled “Wisconsin Driver Report of Crash DT4002.” You can find this form online HERE.
Before you begin filling out the online form, however, you should gather the information that you will need to complete the report. WisDOT will request the following information:
WisDOT will also request information about the accident. Specifically, the department will ask you to describe the accident and who was involved. For example, you will need to indicate whether the accident involved a motor vehicle, an animal, a bicyclist, a pedestrian, a parked vehicle or unoccupied vehicle, a fixed object or a non-fixed object.
In addition, you will be asked to discuss any injuries that occurred as a result of the car accident. The report will ask you to indicate whether you have suspected serious injuries (including deep lacerations, broken bones, paralysis, unconsciousness or significant loss of blood), suspected minor injuries (like minor cuts), or possible injuries (such as whiplash, limping or nausea).
Completing the online accident report form should take less than an hour to complete. Not only will reporting the accident help you avoid any potential fines, but you will also be able to use the accident report when seeking damages for your injuries.
After an accident, your insurance company will likely request a copy of the accident report. In fact, before an insurance claim can be paid, the driver responsible for causing the accident must be identified. The driver at fault for the accident will then be responsible for compensating the other driver for his or her injuries and property damage.
Often, the accident report will be used to determine who was at fault for a car accident. In the event that there is a dispute regarding who is responsible for causing the accident, the official accident report will serve as the basis for an investigation into how the accident occurred.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Wisconsin, it is important that either a law enforcement official or you file an accident report with the WisDOT. The report will help identify the at fault party who caused the accident and ultimately help you recover compensation for your injuries.
When injured in a crash, you should also consult an experienced Milwaukee personal injury attorney - Natasha Misra Law. Our law office can help you with the accident reporting process and assist you in obtaining a copy of the accident report. Call our office at (414) 635-2858 for a free consultation and speak with a Milwaukee car accident lawyer today.
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.
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