Eisenberg Law Offices, S.C. | July 2, 2025 | Car Accidents
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Wisconsin, a crash report is one of the first things you’ll hear about. But what exactly is it, why is it important, and how does it affect your personal injury claim?
A crash report (sometimes called a police accident report) is an official document prepared by law enforcement after investigating a motor vehicle collision. In Wisconsin, law enforcement officers are required to complete a Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Accident Report (MV4000) for qualifying crashes.
According to Wis. Stat. § 346.70, drivers must report accidents to law enforcement if they result in:
When an officer responds to the scene, they’ll typically interview drivers, passengers, and witnesses. They’ll record their observations, diagram the scene, and note contributing factors such as weather, road conditions, or suspected intoxication.
Crash reports serve as an official record of the accident. Insurance companies, attorneys, and courts often rely on them to understand what happened. While a crash report itself is generally not admissible as evidence of fault in a Wisconsin trial (because it can include hearsay and officer opinion), it is still highly influential during settlement negotiations and insurance evaluations.
Here’s why crash reports matter:
Having a crash report that supports your version of events can strengthen your personal injury case. Conversely, an inaccurate or biased report can complicate your claim.
If you were involved in a reportable crash in Wisconsin, you can usually obtain the police report through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Crash Records Unit.
To order a copy:
A report can take several days or weeks to become available. If you need it urgently for an insurance claim or lawsuit, your attorney can try to help expedite the request.
Wisconsin crash reports are fairly detailed and may include:
It’s essential to review your crash report carefully. Mistakes can happen, and an error could affect your ability to prove liability and recover damages.
Many people are surprised to find errors in their crash report. While you can’t force an officer to change their conclusions, you can often submit a supplemental statement or affidavit clarifying your side of the story.
If you’re working with an experienced Wisconsin personal injury lawyer, they can help you navigate this process and ensure your corrections are documented for insurance negotiations or litigation.
While Wisconsin courts generally consider crash reports inadmissible as direct evidence of fault, insurance companies heavily rely on them to assign fault and evaluate settlement offers.
This means the report can significantly influence:
Even if the report says you were partly at fault, you may still recover compensation if you were less than 51% responsible. However, your damages would be reduced proportionally.
Eisenberg Law Offices S.C. is a trusted car accident law firm in Madison, WI, dedicated to fighting for your deserved compensation. Our experienced attorneys will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and ensure your rights are protected. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Dane County, Jefferson County, Sauk County, Rock County, Columbia County, and their surrounding areas.
Eisenberg Law Offices S.C. – Madison
308 E Washington Ave
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-8356
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