Why Are Police Reports Vital to Your Chicago Car Accident Claim?

After being involved in a car crash, your first thoughts are not likely to be whether or not you need a police report. But once you have had a moment or two to collect your thoughts and see who is injured, you should call police to the scene. Police bring a sense of calm and order after a car accident, and the report they take at the scene provides some valuable information you will need if you intend to seek compensation for your damages.

Below, we explain some of the reasons a police report is valuable to your legal claim, especially if you sustained serious injuries and face a lengthy medical recovery.

Do you need legal help after be struck by another vehicle? At Cooney & Conway, we help injured victims every day, including those injured in car crashes. Our Chicago-based car accident lawyers have a solid reputation for protecting the legal interests of our clients and securing favorable outcomes on their behalf.

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Why Do I Need a Police Report After a Chicago-Area Car Crash?

A police report contains key details about your car accident and the resulting observable damage. Because this information is documented by a trained and impartial third party, it carries significant weight with insurance companies.

First responders will get statements from witnesses, something that is harder for you to do if you are severely injured. Since the report contains both the date and approximate time of the crash, it helps to link the injuries you sustained to the crash.

What Details Get Documented in a Car Crash Police Report?

No two car crash reports are the same, but the type of information first responders gather and add to your police report are fairly consistent from one report to another.

Key details you can expect to see on your police report include:

• The date, location and approximate time that your Chicago car crash occurred
• Insurance details, contact information and names of all parties involved
• Diagrams showing where the vehicles involved came to rest after the impact
• Observed areas of vehicle damage
• Statements about how the crash occurred from the drivers involved
• Firsthand accounts from witnesses or passengers
• Whether any citations were issued at the scene

What If the Other Driver Caused the Crash But Lies to Police When Giving a Statement?

This situation happens more often than you might think. People may try to avoid taking the blame for a crash even if they are 100 percent at fault. There are different reasons this might happen. Maybe the at-fault driver is concerned about how being responsible for a crash will increase their insurance premiums. Regardless of why someone lies about their involvement in a crash, it is important to stay focused and calm.

• Wait for your opportunity to tell your side of the story
• When you speak, remain calm and do not shout or yell at the other driver
• Write down your own account of what happened – or record it on your cellphone – to help you remember as many details as possible

Remember that when you are honest about what happened, evidence will back you up. Throughout the legal process, you will need to repeat your account of what happened many times. Remembering the truth is always easier than remembering a lie.

Can My Police Report Be Used as Evidence for My Illinois Car Crash Case?

Police reports are generally considered hearsay, so they cannot be admitted in an Illinois court trial as evidence. This is interesting because in civil cases, the Illinois Rules of Evidence does make some exceptions for other public records that are considered hearsay. There is no exception for police reports, however.

Despite this law, the information within your police report is still valuable. For instance, even though you cannot submit the police report as evidence in a trial, the officer who attended the scene and wrote the report may be called upon to testify.

How Do I Get a Copy of My Car Crash Police Report in Chicago?

Getting your police report doesn’t need to be a hassle, and fortunately, at $6.00, it is also inexpensive. The Chicago Police Department provides more details on where and how to get your report. It is important to get a copy of this report as soon as it is available. When you get your report, be sure to review it right away to make sure there are no mistakes.

What If I Find Errors in My Police Report?

If you do find errors in your police report, you may be able to get them corrected, depending on the type of mistake you find. For simple factual errors, like the make and model of your vehicle, you can simply provide official documentation to get it corrected.

Sometimes, however, the errors may be more subjective, such as your account of how the crash occurred. If the officer did not document it correctly, it may be harder to get them to change the original report. Your attorney, however, can guide you on how to request police to add an addendum to the report with the accurate version of your statement.

Do I Always Need to Have a Police Report After a Car Accident in Illinois?

If you had a fender bender where no one was injured, you may not need a police report. However, if you sustained damage that will cost you out of your own pocket, you may want to create an accident report to cover the cost of getting your vehicle repaired.

In Illinois, you are legally required to call police to the scene if any of the following is true:

• There is $1,500 or more in property damage
• Individuals involved in the crash – or bystanders nearby – were injured
• Someone sustained fatal harm as a result of the crash

What If Chicago Police Do Not Come to the Scene of My Car Accident?

Chicago police may not respond to every accident, especially minor fender benders or crashes on busy streets where no injuries occur. When officers cannot come to the scene, you still have options to protect your claim and gather the documentation you need.

You can file a self-report with the Illinois Department of Transportation within 10 days if the accident involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500. Take photos immediately, exchange information with all drivers, and contact your insurance company right away. These steps help create the documentation trail that insurance companies and attorneys need to build your case.

Evidence That Will Help to Support Your Chicago Car Crash Claim

While police reports provide crucial documentation for your Chicago car accident claim, having additional evidence can further strengthen your case. When there is a difference in driver or witness statements about events leading up to the crash, evidence may also help to clarify what happened or fill in gaps that officers may have missed. The more evidence your case has, the more leverage your attorney has when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

Key evidence that can help your attorney to build a compelling case on your behalf includes:

• Photographic Evidence: Never put yourself or others in harm’s way to capture pictures or videos of the crash scene. Remember investigators will also be capturing images. If you can do so safely, capture images from your vehicle. Take pictures of vehicle damage, the accident scene, street signs, traffic lights, and any visible injuries you sustained.
• Medical Documentation: Seek immediate medical attention to protect your health and rule out serious injuries as quickly as possible. Keep consistent and accurate records of all treatments you received, including emergency room visits, diagnostic tests, treatment plans, and ongoing appointments – including physical therapy treatments. Your medical records help to link your injuries to the crash that caused them.
• Witness Information: Collect names and contact details from anyone who saw the accident happen, including passengers in other vehicles and pedestrians nearby. Responding officers typically gather this information as well.
• Traffic Camera Footage: Chicago has extensive camera coverage on major streets and intersections. If your collision was captured by one of these surveillance cameras, you attorney will need to request that evidence quickly to make sure it does not get overwritten or deleted.
• Insurance Communications: Document all phone calls, emails, and letters with insurance companies, including claim numbers and adjuster names. Your attorney can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, allowing you to focus more fully on your recovery.
• Employment Records: If injuries affect your ability to work, be sure to obtain documentation showing the amount of your lost wages and missed time from your employer.
• Vehicle Maintenance Records: Keep repair estimates, invoices, and rental car receipts to prove the full extent of property damage costs.

Need Legal Help After a Chicago Car Crash? Call Cooney & Conway Today

At Cooney & Conway, you will never feel like another number. Our firm will fight diligently on your behalf to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover the compensation you need and deserve.

When we represent you, we protect your best interests and help you avoid critical mistakes that could leave you paying out of pocket, such as by accepting the first settlement offer from the insurance company.

Not sure if you have a case? You can find out at no cost or risk to you. Call our law offices today or fill out our quick and easy confidential online form. We welcome your questions and are here to help you with no upfront costs or fees to pay.

Cooney & Conway. We get results for you! (800) 322-5573