If you’ve been in a car accident in Milwaukee, Appleton, Waukesha, or Oshkosh, you might be wondering: Should I contact an attorney now or wait until the accident report is ready? It’s tempting to hold off, especially when reports often take 7-14 days—or even longer—to finalize.
But here’s the truth: waiting can hurt your case. The car accident attorneys at Natasha Misra Law are here to let you know more about what you should do while the report is being created, and how legal support can make all the difference.
The accident report is a key document, and it’s important to know what it includes—and doesn’t include:
However, accident reports aren’t always perfect. Errors or missing details can occur, and if you don’t have an experienced attorney reviewing the report, these inaccuracies can hurt your claim. At Natasha Misra Law, we review accident reports carefully, flag any errors, and work to correct them quickly.
While the accident report is an important investigative tool, it’s far from the only evidence your case relies on. Waiting for it means losing valuable time to collect:
We’ll handle the accident report for you, and we’ll get to work preserving evidence and building the strongest possible case.
Insurance companies don’t wait for accident reports—they move fast to protect their interests. If an adjuster calls you soon after the accident, they may:
Here’s what you should do:
Accident reports are important, but they take time—and time isn’t on your side when it comes to building a strong case. By reaching out to us right away, you’re giving yourself the best chance to secure the compensation you deserve.
We focus on getting you back on your feet—physically, emotionally, and financially. From the moment you call, we’ll take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest. Don’t let delays cost you your claim. Contact Natasha Misra Law today and let us fight for you—because you deserve more than just another suit.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, most vehicles depreciate twenty-percent within the first year. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, auto insurance will likely cover the value of the vehicle at the time of the accident. But, what if the value is less than what you still owe on your auto loan?
Gap insurance covers what your standard auto policy does not. Rather than being left to make loan payments on a vehicle you cannot drive, gap insurance makes sure your auto loan is paid off.
So, what exactly is gap insurance, and do you need it? Here we explain how standard insurance policies handle totaled vehicles and how gap insurance works.
Yes, auto insurance will cover your totaled car, but coverage is based on the current value of the vehicle, not the remaining balance on your auto loan which includes interest. Generally, auto insurance providers total a vehicle if the cost of repairs exceeds the actual cash value of the vehicle. If you have an outstanding auto loan on the vehicle, the insurance reimbursement will go directly to your loan provider who is the lienholder of the vehicle.
Because cars depreciate over time, it is not uncommon for this to happen. Auto insurance will make a payment to the lender for the depreciated value of the vehicle. If this is less than the outstanding balance on the loan, you will be responsible for continuing payments out-of-pocket until the loan has been paid in full, unless you have gap insurance.
If your car is stolen or totaled in an accident and you owe more than the car’s value at the time of the loss, gap insurance covers the difference between the value of the car and the remaining balance on the auto loan. Gap insurance is intended to protect you from having to make payments on a car you can no longer use. Many dealerships offer gap insurance, but it is also available as an add-on through many insurance providers.
For example, gap insurance from Toyota Financial Services (TFS) will either waive or pay the deficiency balance, or the difference between what is owed on the vehicle and what the insurance company will pay if the vehicle is declared a total loss. So, if you owe $23,000 on your vehicle and receive $20,000 from the auto insurance company, you would be responsible for $3,000 out-of-pocket. However, gap coverage from TFS would cover this $3,000 balance.
Yes, a car accident attorney will make sure your gap insurance is appropriately applied to resolve any remaining balance on your auto loan. Save yourself the headache of the back-and-forth with your loan provider and insurance company and contact Milwaukee personal injury attorney Natasha Misra Law 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.