Have you encountered a car crash in Chicago and don’t have any idea about the next step? If yes, you are in the right place. Whether you are the victim of reckless or drunk driving, you deserve fair compensation. But the first step begins with filing a police report.
In this guide, we have covered all the information about filing a police report after an auto accident. We will also discuss when filing a police complaint is essential as per the state rules and regulations. Let’s dive right into the details!
When Do You Have To File A Report For A Car Accident?
If you are involved in an accident that caused body injury, property damage of more than 1500$, or death, then you have to file a report. The 1500-dollar limit is applicable when all the drivers in the accident are insured. In case the driver is not insured, then the threshold limit is reduced to 500 dollars. Also, you have to file the report within the first 10 days of the accident if no police officer comes to the scene of the accident.
What Are The Two Ways To File A Report In Case Of A Car Accident?
In Chicago, you cannot file a report for a car accident through the online mode. There are only two ways to file a report, which are mentioned below.
- Report the accident to the police officer who arrives at the scene.
- Report the file for the accident to the Chicago Police Department within the first 10 days.
How Can You File A Police Report In Case There Is A Car Accident?
The after-effects of an accident are scary, nerve-wracking, and sometimes pretty intimidating. There is a sudden inflow of emotions, and anyone can become overwhelmed with the series of events occurring quickly. Moreover, people are confused as they don’t know about the first step that they have to take in case of an accident.
Here, we will discuss the details of all the steps that you have to follow to file a report for the car accident with the Chicago police department.
Connect With 911 Immediately
You have to know that timing plays a critical role when it comes to filing a police report with the department. The first thing that you have to do after the car accident is to call 911.
Once you tell the dispatcher about the events of the car accident, the authorities will send a responding officer to the scene of the accident.
Always remember you should not leave the scene of the accident without connecting and speaking with the responding police officer.
In case you suffer some injuries due to the car accident, then you must have the police report as evidence for further use.
Give Answers To All The Questions
When the responding police officer arrives at the scene of the accident, he/she will examine the whole accident. The officer will ask several questions to all the parties involved in the car accident and collect other relevant pieces of information.
He/She will take the driver’s statements, create a whole diagram of the scene of the accident, note injuries to the parties that were involved in the accident, examine vehicle damage, and record the on-site witness statements.
Once the officer collects all the information, he/she will file a report. You don’t have to go through any unnecessary hassle to file the report.
Get Professional Help
You can contact your lawyer to handle the stress of getting a copy of the police report from the department. So, it is beneficial to have a reliable Chicago Car Accident Lawyer so that you can get full assistance in case of unfortunate accidents. Always perform comprehensive research before teaming up with any law firm to pin down the correct option.
Some Last Words
There will always be a chance of an auto accident even when you take care of all safety measures. So, it is essential to get help from a car accident lawyer when filing a police report. It will help in avoiding any unnecessary issues later since state laws work strictly to define the fine or jail time.
