10 Things to Know
After a Car Accident
Getting hit catches you off guard. What you do in the next few hours matters more than most people realize. Work through this list before you need it, so when something happens you already know the steps.
Your first priorities after any accident are safety, documentation, and protecting your legal rights. Call 911, check for injuries, photograph the scene, and never admit fault. Under Wisconsin law, you have the right to choose your own repair shop. Your insurance company cannot require you to use theirs.
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Do this first
Call 911 immediately
Wisconsin requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Don't skip the police report. You'll need that report number for your insurance claim, and it protects you legally. Even if the other driver wants to handle it quietly, get the report. Once everyone leaves the scene, that record is the only objective account of what happened.
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Move to safety if you can
If your car is drivable and no one is seriously hurt, move to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights. Staying in a live traffic lane creates a real second-accident risk. That said, if airbags deployed or the vehicle doesn't feel right, stay put and wait for emergency services to arrive.
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Do not skip this
Check for injuries before anything else
Adrenaline is real. You can be seriously hurt and not feel it for hours. Check yourself and every passenger in your vehicle before you do anything else. If there's any doubt at all, stay still and wait for emergency services. Don't let anyone wave off a check until they've actually been looked at.
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Document the scene before anything moves
Take photos and video immediately. Get shots of every vehicle from multiple angles, road conditions, skid marks, street signs, and traffic signals. A 60-second video walkthrough of the scene covers more than a dozen static photos. Time-stamped photos carry real weight with adjusters. Don't rely on memory -- it fades fast after a stressful event.
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Exchange information -- all of it
Get the other driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, insurance company, policy number, and license plate. Take a photo of their insurance card and their license. Also note the make, model, year, and color of their vehicle. If there are witnesses nearby, ask for their contact information too. You may need them later.
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Wisconsin law applies here
Do not admit fault. Not even casually.
"I'm sorry" sounds polite. To an insurance adjuster, it reads as an admission. Wisconsin uses comparative negligence law -- how fault is divided determines what each party can recover. Let the investigators make that call. At the scene, describe what happened. State the facts. Don't speculate on who caused what.
Wisconsin comparative negligence (Statute 895.045): If you're found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages from the other driver. What you say at the scene can affect that determination. Factual. Not apologetic.
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Notify your insurance company the same day
Most policies require prompt reporting, often within 24 to 72 hours. Call your agent or carrier as soon as you're safe. Give them the facts of what happened. Keep it straightforward. This is not the time to speculate on fault, estimate damage totals, or downplay what occurred. Just report what you know.
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Do not wait on this
See a doctor within 24 hours
Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and concussions often don't show up until a day or two after the accident. If you wait too long to get checked, the insurance company may argue your injuries weren't caused by the crash. Get in to see a doctor. Get it documented. This protects your health and your claim at the same time.
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Know your rights
You get to choose your own repair shop
Wisconsin Statute 632.38 gives you the legal right to choose any licensed auto body repair shop, regardless of your insurer's preferred vendor list. Your insurance company cannot require you to use their shop or network as a condition of coverage. Choose a shop that backs their work with a written warranty and communicates directly with your adjuster.
Wisconsin Statute 632.38: "No insurer may require, as a condition of payment, that repairs be made by a particular contractor or vendor." That's the law. You have this right. If your insurer is pushing a specific shop, you're allowed to push back.
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Get a written estimate and understand what's covered
A trustworthy shop walks you through the estimate line by line. Know your deductible before you authorize anything. Ask whether the shop uses OEM or aftermarket parts, and what that difference means for your specific vehicle. Confirm the repair warranty in writing. At Wheelers Auto Body, we handle the insurance paperwork and communicate directly with your adjuster -- so you're not stuck in the middle.
Ready to get your vehicle fixed?
Wheelers Auto Body has handled accident repairs across Central Wisconsin for over 50 years. We work directly with all major insurance carriers and back every repair with a written lifetime warranty on our workmanship.
Get a Free Estimate Our Collision ServicesCommon Questions After an Accident
Do I have to use the repair shop my insurance company recommends?
No. Under Wisconsin Statute 632.38, you have the legal right to choose any licensed auto body shop you want. Your insurer cannot make their preferred shop a condition of your coverage. If you're being pushed toward a specific shop, you're allowed to decline.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires filing an accident report with the Wisconsin DOT within 10 days when the crash involved injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Your insurance policy likely has its own reporting requirement, typically 24 to 72 hours. Check your policy and report promptly.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
Your uninsured motorist coverage handles this situation. Wisconsin requires all auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage unless you specifically waived it in writing. File the claim with your own insurer and tell them the other driver was uninsured.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer on my vehicle?
Get a written repair estimate from a reputable shop before agreeing to any vehicle damage settlement. Initial offers often come in under actual repair costs, especially on newer vehicles or anything with structural damage. You have the right to negotiate.
What is the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts?
OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts come directly from your vehicle's manufacturer. Aftermarket parts come from third-party suppliers and typically cost less. Some policies default to aftermarket to cut costs. Ask your shop which parts they're using and check whether your policy covers OEM replacements.