Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in Illinois?

You have to report a car accident in Illinois if certain conditions apply. Under Illinois law, you must report a crash to the police if someone is injured or killed or property damage from the accident exceeds $1,500 (or $500 if one of the drivers is uninsured).

Depending on where the crash happened, you should report it to the local police, the county sheriff, or the Illinois State Police. If the accident meets the reporting criteria, you must also file a report with the Illinois Department of Transportation within 10 days.  

If you have been in a crash, a Belleville car accident lawyer from our firm can help you get a copy of the police report. You can learn more during a free consultation.

When Should You Call the Police After a Car Accident in Illinois?

As the Illinois State Police advises, you should call the police immediately after a car accident in Illinois if anyone involved is injured or killed or suffers property damage exceeding $1,500 (or $500 if one of the drivers is uninsured).

You should get police assistance when the accident involves

• Unclear fault: If it isn’t unclear who is at fault or if there is a dispute between the parties involved, call the police to have an official report that can help clarify the situation later.
• Hit-and-run: If the other driver leaves the scene without exchanging information, you should contact the police immediately to report the hit-and-run.
• Driver impairment: If you suspect that an involved driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you should call for your safety. Getting law enforcement involved also ensures proper legal action is taken.

Calling the police in these situations ensures that a formal report is filed, which can be important for insurance claims you may need to file or legal actions you may need to take later. If you decide to pursue a case, a Belleville personal injury lawyer can handle it.

Steps to Take When Filing a Car Accident Report in Illinois

Filing a car accident report in Illinois involves several important steps to ensure you follow state law and protect your rights. Here’s what you need to do:

Assess the Situation

Immediately after the accident, check to see if anyone is injured and needs emergency medical help. Ensure everyone is safe and move to a secure location if possible.

Call the Police

To report the accident, contact the local police, county sheriff, or Illinois State Police. They will arrive at the scene, document the details, and provide you with a report number.

Gather Important Information

Collect the necessary information from all parties involved in the accident, including names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details. Also, take note of the make, model, and license plate numbers of the vehicles involved.

Obtain a Copy of the Police Report

After the police have documented the accident, you may request a copy of the police report from the law enforcement agency that handled the incident. This report is important for insurance claims and any legal matters that may follow.

The State No Longer Requires Filing an Illinois Motorist Report

Per the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois law no longer requires drivers to fill out and submit an Illinois Motorist Report after a car accident. The responsibility for reporting the accident lies primarily with the law enforcement agency that documents the scene.

Even though you don’t have to file an Illinois Motorist Report, you can still provide the same kind of details that you would on an accident form. You should include information about the location, time, and date of the crash, as well as descriptions of the events leading up to it. 

Report all known injuries and property damage.

What Happens if I don’t Report a Car Accident in Illinois?

If you don’t report a car accident in Illinois when you are required to, you could face several serious legal and financial consequences. These include state-imposed fines or other penalties.

Additionally, your driver’s license could be suspended for failing to report an accident, especially if the crash involved significant property damage, injuries, or fatalities.

Other consequences include:

• Affected insurance claims: Not reporting the accident might complicate or even void your insurance claim. Insurance companies typically require a police report to process claims, especially for significant damage or injuries.
• Legal liability: If you don’t report an accident and someone suffered significant injury or property damage, you might be held legally responsible for any damages or injuries. Not reporting the crash could be seen as an attempt to avoid liability.
• Increased liability in a hit-and-run situation: If you leave the scene without reporting the accident, law enforcement could consider it to be a hit-and-run, which can lead to more severe legal consequences, including criminal charges.

Can a Lawyer Help Me Get My Car Accident Report?

Yes, your lawyer can get a copy of the police report for you. Lawyers in Illinois can request police reports on behalf of their clients as part of their case investigation and preparation. 

To do so, the lawyer typically submits a formal request to the police department that handled the accident, often providing necessary details like the report number, date of the accident, and names of the parties involved.

When a lawyer obtains the report for you, they can review it to make sure it contains relevant information that can benefit your insurance claim or lawsuit should you file one later.

Have You Been in a Car Accident in Belleville, IL? Get Legal Help 

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident in Belleville, IL, that someone else’s negligence caused, you can pursue damages from the liable party. Reporting your Illinois car accident promptly and having a copy of the report is key in your fight to hold a negligent driver accountable for your damages.

You can call a lawyer immediately after a car accident for guidance on what to do. Morelli Law Firm’s car accident attorneys serving Belleville can handle the insurer for you and work to recover your accident-related losses. Call us today for a free consultation.