The seconds after a car crash can feel disorienting and overwhelming. You are unsure what is damaged or injured, other drivers are pulling over, and you do not know what to do first. What you do in those initial moments, and in the days that follow, can meaningfully affect your health and any legal claim that results.
At Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, our Wisconsin car accident lawyers help injured people throughout the state navigate the aftermath of crashes. Here is what to do at every stage.
Prioritize Safety First
If you can move the vehicles, pull to the shoulder or a nearby safe location. This protects everyone from secondary accidents and clears the path for emergency responders. If vehicles cannot be moved, turn on your hazard lights. Call 911 immediately and request police and medical assistance, even if injuries appear minor at first.
File a Police Report
Wisconsin law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to law enforcement. Even when reporting is not legally required, always call the police. The official accident report provides an impartial record including who was involved, the location, time, and witness accounts. This report is critical for insurance claims and any legal proceedings that may follow.
Document the Scene
Gather as much documentation as possible while the scene is intact. Use your phone to photograph all vehicles and their positions, debris, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Exchange insurance cards and driver’s licenses with every driver involved. If a driver cannot provide an insurance card, photograph their vehicle registration instead.
Speak with any witnesses who saw the crash. Record their account and collect their contact information. Write down your own recollection of events as soon as you can, but share that account only with your attorney, not with any insurance company.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you feel fine, see a medical professional after any car accident. Not all injuries present symptoms immediately. Conditions like whiplash, soft tissue damage, and traumatic brain injuries can take hours or days to fully manifest. Prompt evaluation creates a documented record connecting your injuries to the accident, which insurance companies and courts rely on heavily. Delayed treatment gives insurers an argument that your injuries were not caused by the crash.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company within 24 to 48 hours of the accident. Many policies require prompt notification as a condition of coverage. Provide accurate and complete information about the accident, the parties involved, and any injuries you have sustained. Be measured in what you say. Providing more detail than necessary, or speculating about fault, can be used against your claim later.
Talk to a Wisconsin Car Accident Attorney
If another driver was at fault, if your injuries are serious, or if the insurance company is pressing you toward a quick settlement, consult with a personal injury attorney before agreeing to anything. Wisconsin law gives personal injury plaintiffs three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, but building a strong claim takes time, and starting early protects your rights.
An attorney assesses liability, identifies the full value of your damages, and handles all communications with insurers on your behalf. They know how adjusters attempt to minimize payouts and how to counter those tactics effectively.
Contact Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm
If you or a family member was hurt in a Wisconsin car accident, Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm is ready to help. William Pemberton has been recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer for 12 consecutive years and holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating. He and his team have built their practice around fighting for injured Wisconsin residents.
With offices in Baraboo, Madison, Eau Claire, and Sun Prairie, we serve clients throughout the state. Fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.
