A car accident report, also called a crash report, in Illinois is the official document that police issue after investigating a crash. That report is submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and used by insurance companies, lawyers, and safety experts.
Understanding important facts about car accident reports in Illinois can help you protect your rights after a car accident in Peoria.
Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in Illinois?
Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-407), you must give immediate notice to police “by the fastest available means of communication” (usually 911) when:
- Anyone is injured or killed
- Property damage is more than $1,500 (or more than $500 if any driver is uninsured)
Police who investigate a reportable crash must file a crash report with IDOT within 10 days.
How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in Illinois?
In Illinois, you are required to notify the police by the fastest available means. If the crash resulted in personal injury or death, 625 ILCS 5/11‑401 requires you to report the crash within 30 minutes. That usually means calling 911 from the accident scene.
If the driver is too injured or unable to call, a passenger should call 911 immediately to report the incident. Generally, local police respond to accidents inside a city or village. If the accident is outside a municipality, the county sheriff or the Illinois State Police typically responds.
What Happens if You Don’t Report a Car Accident in Illinois?
Failing to report a car accident in Illinois can result in severe penalties, depending on the circumstances.
For crashes involving personal injury, leaving the scene without stopping and providing required information and aid is treated as a felony offense. It is commonly charged as a Class 4 felony when injury but not death occurs.
If you leave the scene of a crash involving personal injury or death and fail to report the accident within 30 minutes, the offense is elevated. When the victim survives, it is a Class 2 felony. When someone dies, the charge is a Class 1 felony.
For property‑damage‑only crashes, leaving the scene without stopping and giving information is a Class A misdemeanor.
Can You File a Police Report After the Fact in Illinois?
Reporting an accident to the police after the fact is allowed, but you should act quickly. Calling 911 from the scene is usually the safest way to meet your duty and create a strong record of what happened. If, for any reason, you left the scene, you should report the accident to the closest police station or sheriff’s office immediately.
In addition to penalties the state may impose for failing to report a car accident, delays in reporting crashes can weaken insurance claims and legal cases. The sooner you document the accident scene and the police gather evidence and speak to witnesses, the better for a personal injury case.
Do You Need to Report a Car Accident to Your Insurance Company?
Illinois law does not force you to report a crash to your insurance. But most insurance policies require “prompt notice” of any accident. If you wait too long, your company may deny coverage for breaking the contract. Drivers should notify their insurance company right away after a crash and cooperate with any investigation.
While you may be required by your insurance policy to report crashes promptly, you should be cautious when speaking with the insurance company without legal advice. Statements you make could hurt a future injury claim. Avoid discussing fault and liability until you speak with an attorney.
How Do I Get a Copy of an Illinois Car Accident Report?
If local police or a county sheriff handled the crash, contact that department’s records division or visit its website for accident‑report instructions (many cities list this under “Police Records” or “Crash Reports”).
If the Illinois State Police handled the crash, request a copy online through the ISP crash report portal or by mail.
Call the Peoria Car Accident Lawyer at Joel E. Brown, P.C. for a Free Consultation
Getting into a car wreck can be an overwhelming experience. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, you likely have many questions about your right to compensation, what steps you should take, and more. Call the Peoria car accident lawyer at Joel E. Brown, P.C. to schedule a free consultation to get all your questions about car accident reports answered.
To learn more, contact our skilled personal injury attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C to schedule a free consultation. We are conveniently located in Peoria and proudly serve Peoria County, IL, and the neighboring communities.
Joel E. Brown, P.C
416 Main Street Suite 1300, Peoria, IL 61602
(309) 673 4357
Available 24/7