Whether you were involved in a major crash in Chicagoland or a minor fender-bender in rural Illinois, you should always call an officer to the scene to record an official Illinois Traffic Crash Report. In this extensive document, the investigator will record all pertinent information about your accident. It will prove incredibly useful should you decide to file a claim with the insurance company.
The first page is split into two sections where the officer records the most basic information about the crash. The officer documents all of the following in the first section:
The second section is where the officer can record details about any passengers or witnesses to the crash. They can also document information needed to determine fault and causation for the crash and any arrests or citations issued as a result.
The second page of your Illinois Traffic Crash Report is where the officer creates a diagram and narrative of your accident. The diagram is a pictorial narrative of everything the officer observes at the scene, such as:
The narrative portion of the accident report is where the officer records as much information as possible regarding the circumstances leading up to the crash. They also detail other contributing factors, including:
You must report an accident to the local police department within ten days if an officer is not called to the scene. Regardless, it’s imperative to contact law enforcement immediately after an accident in order to have an official report created by an unbiased officer at the scene.
Failure to report a collision in the state of Illinois could result in significant financial penalties, license suspension, or jail time.
Providing the following information will help us recover your crash report promptly:
Obtaining a copy of your crash report through the Illinois State Police requires you to pay an initial fee of $5, plus an additional charge if you use a credit card. We believe you should never have to pay for legal documentation that’s rightfully yours. That’s why we will recover your crash report quickly and at absolutely no cost to you.
Contacting the police after any accident, no matter how serious, can protect you in many ways. The responding officer will ensure that everyone at the scene is safe and out of harm’s way. They’ll also complete an official crash report that could be a vital piece of evidence if you decide to seek compensation later.