A car accident can lead to confusion, chaos, and fear. Immediately after the accident, many people will struggle to know what to do next. They may neglect filing a police report, but this step should not be missed for a wide variety of reasons. In this article, McClintock Law will explain why it’s critical that drivers file a police report after an accident and how it can help them.
Should You File a Police Report If You Have Been In A Car Accident?
Yes, after an accident a driver should always try to fill out a police report, even if it’s for a minor accident. A police report can provide everyone in the accident with an additional level of support and documentation. This can be important when legal aid and insurance companies are trying to determine who was at fault for the accident. Furthermore, when an individual files a police report they are protecting their rights. It’s critical that drivers file police reports after an accident because it may help protect them and allow for financial compensation.
When Should You File a Police Report If You Have Been In A Car Accident?
The process of filing a police report should begin immediately. After an accident occurs a driver should call 911 to get police and emergency assistance. Once they have called the police, they will begin the process when they arrive at the scene. Even if an accident is minor with no serious injuries, police should be called via 911.
The police officers who arrive at the scene of the accident will begin the process of creating a report. To correctly file the report, the officers will ask the driver, anyone else involved, and the witnesses, questions about what happened. This allows them to get an accurate sense of the accident. Once the police officer has gathered statements, statements, and images, they will file the police report. The driver may gain access to the police report by going online and requesting a copy of it. Having a police report after an accident is an important step for drivers to take when talking to their insurance companies. It also helps determine who was at fault for the accident. The process of filing a police report should begin as soon as the police report to the scene.
What are the Benefits of Filing a Police Report?
There are many benefits to filing a police report. The primary benefit is that it helps to objectively determine who was responsible for the accident. Whether an individual is the at-fault driver or is looking for compensation from the other driver, they may want legal help to deal with the process. Once the driver begins looking for legal representation, the police report will provide critical information. This means that the police report is critical when it comes to ensuring that the injured party gets proper compensation and representation for the accident.
What if a Police Officer Doesn’t Report to the Scene Of A Car Accident?
If a police officer doesn’t report to the scene, either because they were never notified or they just didn’t arrive, it is still possible to make a police report. However, it is always recommended that the driver contact the police and wait until they arrive at the scene. If this is not possible, the driver must fill out a police report within the next ten days. To file a report successfully, there are several steps that the person must take:
- Pictures and videos of the accident. The photos should include the make, model, and license plates of all the cars involved in the accident, along with any damages to vehicles.
- Video recordings of witnesses discussing the accident. The driver should also get the contact information of the witnesses and everyone else involved in the accident.
- Surveillance videos should be gathered–they can show the actual accident.
With these materials, the driver, along with everyone else in the accident, should go to the police precinct and file a report together.
There are some instances when a police report may be filled out online as well, but certain criteria must be met. Illinois law states that online reports must be a single-vehicle, property-damage-only crash where no one was injured. Additionally, it must have occurred on either the Interstate or a U.S. or Illinois Route. This is the only time that an Illinois driver would be able to submit a police report online. While there should always be a police officer on the scene if there is an accident, if there is not, it is good to know that the driver still has options.
Are you Required to file a Police Report to Make an Insurance Claim?
No, in the state of Illinois, it is not necessary to file a police report to make an insurance claim after an accident. Yet, it is highly advisable that an individual file one if he/she plans on filing an insurance claim. That is because the IDOI (Illinois Department of Insurance) may reject a claim if a police report is not provided of the accident. This means that if the driver wants to get an insurance claim approved, a police report may be necessary.
Key Takeaways:
There are several steps that a driver needs to take to successfully file a police report after an accident.
- A driver should always file a police report after an accident, even if it is minor.
- As soon as police officers arrive on scene, the process of filing a report will have started.
- There are several benefits to filing a police report, including ensuring the driver will get proper compensation and make a successful insurance claim.
- If the police do not go to the scene, there are several steps a driver can take to file their own police report, and in some cases, they may be able to file it online.
- To make an insurance claim it is not necessary to have a police report, but it does help ensure that the claim gets approved.
At McClintock Law, we understand that the aftermath of a car accident can be confusing and stressful. If you’ve been in a car accident and are seeking legal representation, the lawyers at McClintock Law can help. We’ll be there for you. So the next time that you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our number is (309) 715-7181 or visit us at our website https://www.scottmcclintocklaw.com/.
