After a car accident in Wisconsin, one document often becomes essential to protecting your rights: the police report. This official record captures critical details about your accident, but many Wisconsin drivers do not know how to access it. Whether you are dealing with an insurance claim or considering a lawsuit, knowing how to obtain and use your police report can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Contact our Milwaukee personal injury lawyers today for help with an accident in Wisconsin.
Why Police Reports Are Critical After a Wisconsin Car Accident
A police report serves as an official, third-party account of what happened during your accident. Insurance companies, attorneys, and courts rely heavily on these reports when determining fault. The report documents the investigating officer’s observations, statements from drivers and witnesses, and their professional assessment of how the accident occurred.
Without this documentation, your claim can become a matter of “he said, she said,” making it harder to prove the other driver’s negligence. Having a police report strengthens your position and provides concrete evidence that supports your version of events.
How to Request Your Report from the Investigating Agency
If you want to get a police report in Wisconsin, you have several options:
- Use the Report Retrieval Number: The officer who responded to your accident should have provided you with a report retrieval number at the scene. You can contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) with this number to request a copy of your car accident police report. You can mail your request to P.O. Box 7919, Madison, WI 53707-7919, call the DOT at (608) 266-8753, or visit the DOT website.
- Use Your Driver’s License Number: You can also visit the DOT website and enter your driver’s license number along with the date the crash occurred. This method allows you to access your police report directly online, even if you lost your report retrieval number.
- Contact the Non-Emergency Number: If you only remember the name of the responding officer or limited details about the incident, call the non-emergency number for the police agency that investigated your accident. Have the details of the accident ready, including the accident date, location, and your vehicle identification number.
What Information Is Included in a Police Report?
A Wisconsin police report contains comprehensive details about your accident that become invaluable when building your case. Here’s what you will typically find:
- Names and contact information for all drivers involved
- Date, time, and exact location of the accident
- Weather and road conditions at the time of the crash
- Descriptions of vehicle damage and positions after impact
- Statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- The officer’s diagram of the accident scene
- Citations or violations issued
- The officer’s determination of fault or contributing factors
How an Wisconsin Attorney Uses a Police Report to Build Your Case
Obtaining your police report is an important first step, but navigating a car accident claim involves much more. Insurance companies will use every piece of information including details in the police report to minimize what they pay you. This is why you need a Wisconsin car accident attorney on your side.
A lawyer will thoroughly review your police report, identify any inaccuracies or omissions, and gather additional evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. They will leverage the information contained in this document to prove the other driver’s liability and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact a Milwaukee car accident attorney for a consultation and learn how they can help you maximize your recovery.