I was involved in a car accident/traffic crash in Chicago. What should I do?
Getting into a car accident can be overwhelming, but knowing the right steps to take can protect you legally and financially. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly what to do if you're involved in a traffic crash in Chicago.
Immediate Steps at the Accident Scene
While at the scene, do the following:
1. Ensure safety and check for injuries
Your first priority is safety. Check if anyone is injured – including yourself, your passengers, and other parties involved. If there are any injuries, call 911 immediately. Don't move injured persons unless they're in immediate danger.
2. Move the cars off the main roadway
If possible, move the cars off the main roadway to avoid further traffic congestion and potential secondary accidents.
3. Find witnesses
If you can, find any witnesses to the accident who are willing to offer their contact info. This can be crucial in proving your case, especially if there are disputes about the accident.
Did your car accident occur near commercial or industrial property? Are there cameras pointing in the direction of the accident? Take a note, because you may want to return later, as we discuss below.
4. Document everything
Thorough documentation is crucial. Here's what you need to collect:
- Pictures of the license plate, driver's license, and insurance card of the person driving the other car.
- The other driver's mobile number. Test it in front of them with a sample text message. In particular, do not let them simply enter their number into your phone without you confirming it. There are stories of people who make up a fake phone number, then drive away from the scene of the accident.
- Look to see if the other driver was driving for a company (i.e. pizza, Amazon, rideshare). If they were, get the info of that company as well.
- Take a video of the affected areas of both cars. These often provide better proof of damage than pictures.
Filing a Police Report with the Chicago Police Department
1. If the cars are drivable
Head to the nearest Chicago Police Department district/station and file an accident report. See Note #1 for why this is important.
2. If the cars are not drivable
Call the Chicago Police Department. Find the nearest Chicago Police Department district/station.
Call to have your car towed. If you are on the highway, you will need to call *999, as most tow trucks will not tow cars on the highway. If you are not on the highway, call a reputable towing company to tow your car. We currently recommend that you use Yelp to find a towing company that matches what you need.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company. They will need to know about the accident and may need to send an adjuster to the scene. They may also contact your witnesses, so be ready to provide their contact information.
Get Your Police Report
You will likely need your police report to file an insurance claim. If you need to take the next step and file a lawsuit, you will also need your police report.
The police report will contain the following information:
- The vehicles involved
- The drivers and passengers
- Details of the crash scene
- Any injuries sustained
We can help you get your Traffic Crash Report from the Chicago Police Department.
Need to request your police report from the Chicago Police Department? We're here to help!
Revisit the Scene
Did your car accident occur near commercial or industrial property? Are there cameras pointing in the direction of the accident? If the accident is disputed, you may want to visit those businesses to see if they can provide video that supports your case. Time is of the essence here, because most businesses will delete their video after a few days.
Notes
1. If you were not at-fault, you should try to file the police report first
If you were not at-fault, you want to ensure that the police report that is created reflects this, and that the other driver does not provide an inaccurate report stating you were the at-fault driver. Correcting a police report is difficult, so it is best to take the time to ensure it gets created correctly the first time. The person who appears in Unit 1 in a traffic accident report is often considered the "at-fault" vehicle (refer to Illinois Traffic Crash Report, SR 1050 C, Special Instructions, section F).
2. You have 10 days to file a police report in the City of Chicago
Don't wait! The sooner you do this, the more fresh the details will be in your mind. This will help you create a more accurate report.
Conclusion
Being prepared and knowing what to do after a car accident can make a stressful situation more manageable. Remember: safety first, document everything, and file your police report promptly. These steps will help protect your rights and simplify the insurance claims process.
Note: This information is based on current Chicago Police Department procedures and local regulations.