What MUST I Do if I Get Into a Traffic Accident in Illinois?

traffic accident in Illinois

Statistics show that you are more likely to get into a car crash than a plane crash.  You might say, “True, but you are more likely to walk away from a car crash.”  Fair enough.  Nevertheless, none of this changes the fact that traffic accidents are traumatizing experiences that happen everyday.  Therefore, there are rules you are expected to follow when you get into a traffic accident in Illinois.

Statistics show that you are more likely to get into a car crash than a plane crash.  You might say, “True, but you are more likely to walk away from a car crash.”  Fair enough.  Nevertheless, none of this changes the fact that traffic accidents are traumatizing experiences that happen everyday.  Therefore, there are rules you are expected to follow when you get into a traffic accident in Illinois.

1. What to do if you get into a traffic accident in Illinois that results in death or personal injury.

1. What to do if you get into a traffic accident in Illinois that results in death or personal injury.

This is serious.  Personal injury is any injury requiring immediate professional treatment in a medical facility or doctor’s office. Here is what you must do if your traffic accident in Illinois results in death or personal injury: 

Immediately stop your vehicle at the scene of the accident, or as close as possible.  Do not obstruct traffic more than necessary.  Remain there until your duties to give information and render aid have been fulfilled (see number 3, below).  Failure to comply is a Class 4 felony.

If you fail to stop at the scene of the accident (say, you were hospitalized), you must report the details of the accident ASAP.   Failure to comply is a Class 2 felony if the accident did not result in death, and a Class 1 felony if it did.  Your driver’s license will be revoked if you are convicted of violating these rules.

This is serious.  Personal injury is any injury requiring immediate professional treatment in a medical facility or doctor’s office. Here is what you must do if your traffic accident in Illinois results in death or personal injury: 

Immediately stop your vehicle at the scene of the accident, or as close as possible.  Do not obstruct traffic more than necessary.  Remain there until your duties to give information and render aid have been fulfilled (see number 3, below).  Failure to comply is a Class 4 felony.

If you fail to stop at the scene of the accident (say, you were hospitalized), you must report the details of the accident ASAP.   Failure to comply is a Class 2 felony if the accident did not result in death, and a Class 1 felony if it did.  Your driver’s license will be revoked if you are convicted of violating these rules.

2. What to do if you get into a traffic accident in Illinois that results in damage to a vehicle that somebody is sitting in.

2. What to do if you get into a traffic accident in Illinois that results in damage to a vehicle that somebody is sitting in.

When you get into a traffic accident in Illinois that only results in damage to another person’s vehicle, immediately stop the vehicle at the scene or as close as possible.  Remain there until your duties to give information and render aid have been fulfilled.  Failure to comply is a Class A misdemeanor.  

When you get into a traffic accident in Illinois that only results in damage to another person’s vehicle, immediately stop the vehicle at the scene or as close as possible.  Remain there until your duties to give information and render aid have been fulfilled.  Failure to comply is a Class A misdemeanor.  

3. You have a duty to give information and render aid when you get into a traffic accident in Illinois.

3. You have a duty to give information and render aid when you get into a traffic accident in Illinois.

If you are involved in a traffic accident in Illinois, you have a duty to give certain information to the driver or person(s) struck.  You must give them your name, address, registration number, and the vehicle owner’s name.  Upon request, you must show them your driver’s license.

You must also render reasonable assistance to any person injured.  This includes the carrying of the person(s) to a doctor, surgeon, or hospital, if necessary or requested by them.  Failure to comply is a Class A misdemeanor.

If you are involved in a traffic accident in Illinois, you have a duty to give certain information to the driver or person(s) struck.  You must give them your name, address, registration number, and the vehicle owner’s name.  Upon request, you must show them your driver’s license.

You must also render reasonable assistance to any person injured.  This includes the carrying of the person(s) to a doctor, surgeon, or hospital, if necessary or requested by them.  Failure to comply is a Class A misdemeanor.

4.What if I damage an unattended vehicle?

4.What if I damage an unattended vehicle?

Let’s say you hit a parked car.  You must stop immediately and try to locate the owner and give them the information mentioned in number 3, above.  If you can’t find the owner, leave a note on the car with your information on it.  Then, immediately notify the nearest police station and make a written report of the accident.

Let’s say you hit a parked car.  You must stop immediately and try to locate the owner and give them the information mentioned in number 3, above.  If you can’t find the owner, leave a note on the car with your information on it.  Then, immediately notify the nearest police station and make a written report of the accident.

5.You have a duty to report a traffic accident in Illinois.

5.You have a duty to report a traffic accident in Illinois.

You must report an accident, as soon as possible, under the following circumstances.  First, when the accident results in the injury or death of any person.  Second, when the damage to the property of any one person, including yourself, is more than $1,500.

You must report an accident, as soon as possible, under the following circumstances.  First, when the accident results in the injury or death of any person.  Second, when the damage to the property of any one person, including yourself, is more than $1,500.

6.If you are a police officer, you also have a duty to report a traffic accident in Illinois.

6.If you are a police officer, you also have a duty to report a traffic accident in Illinois.

Yes, police officers have responsibilities, too.  If a report is required, or the officer prepared a written report, he/she must report it within 10 days of investigating the accident.  The reports are not confidential.

Yes, police officers have responsibilities, too.  If a report is required, or the officer prepared a written report, he/she must report it within 10 days of investigating the accident.  The reports are not confidential.

7.What happens if I put false information on a motor vehicle accident report?

7.What happens if I put false information on a motor vehicle accident report?

If you get into a traffic accident in Illinois and put false information on a motor vehicle accident report, you are guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.  Spare us, and yourself, the aggravation.  Do not falsify reports.

If you get into a traffic accident in Illinois and put false information on a motor vehicle accident report, you are guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.  Spare us, and yourself, the aggravation.  Do not falsify reports.

8. What happens if I am incapable of reporting a traffic accident in Illinois?

8. What happens if I am incapable of reporting a traffic accident in Illinois?

If, God forbid, you are physically incapable of reporting a traffic accident in Illinois, another occupant of the vehicle, if any, could do it.  Otherwise, the owner of the vehicle must make a report as soon as practicable.

If, God forbid, you are physically incapable of reporting a traffic accident in Illinois, another occupant of the vehicle, if any, could do it.  Otherwise, the owner of the vehicle must make a report as soon as practicable.

9. If you are a coroner, you have a duty to report a death by way of traffic accident in Illinois .

9. If you are a coroner, you have a duty to report a death by way of traffic accident in Illinois .

Each month, coroners have to report the deaths of any people in their jurisdiction that died as a result of a traffic accident in Illinois.  They must give the time, place, and circumstances of the accident.

Each month, coroners have to report the deaths of any people in their jurisdiction that died as a result of a traffic accident in Illinois.  They must give the time, place, and circumstances of the accident.

10. Municipalities may require you to report a traffic accident in Illinois.

10. Municipalities may require you to report a traffic accident in Illinois.

Sometimes, municipalities require you to file traffic accident reports.  In that case, you must file a report with the municipality in addition to your normal duty to report.

Sometimes, municipalities require you to file traffic accident reports.  In that case, you must file a report with the municipality in addition to your normal duty to report.