After a car accident in Illinois, what you do in the minutes, days, and weeks that follow can affect your health, your financial recovery, and any future insurance or legal claim. Illinois law does not require that every crash turn into a lawsuit, but it does impose specific duties on drivers and creates timelines and evidentiary expectations that matter—especially if injuries are involved.
Quick Takeaways
Your first priority is safety and medical care, even if injuries seem minor.
Illinois law requires drivers to report accidents to law enforcement if someone is injured or killed, or if property damage exceeds a specific monetary threshold.
Insurance statements can affect your claim, even early, informal conversations.
Medical documentation and timelines matter for proving injury-related damages.
- Local practice in McLean County affects how claims are documented, evaluated, and resolved.
Step One: Ensure Safety and Call for Help
Illinois law requires drivers involved in an accident to stop at the scene, render reasonable assistance, and move vehicles out of traffic when it is safe to do so. People v. Campos-Gutierrez, 2023 IL App (3d) 220117-U.
This includes:
Stopping immediately at or near the scene
Checking for injuries
Calling 911 when injuries are present or vehicles cannot be safely moved
Even when injuries appear minor, requesting medical assistance creates an objective record. Symptoms such as whiplash, concussions, or soft-tissue injuries often worsen hours or days later.
Step Two: Report the Accident as Required by Illinois Law
Illinois law requires drivers to report an accident (on a public roadway) to law enforcement within 10 days if:
Someone is injured or killed, or
Property damage appears to exceed $1,500, or $500 if a driver is uninsured
These reporting obligations are reinforced by Illinois case law, including Bond Kildeer Marketplace, LLC v. CBS Outdoor, Inc., 2012 IL App (2d) 111292, and Topps v. Unicorn Ins. Co., 271 Ill. App. 3d 111.
Failure to comply with reporting requirements can complicate insurance claims and later disputes regarding fault or damages.
Step Three: Document the Scene, Exchange Information, and What to Say at the Scene
If you are physically able, gather and preserve information at the scene:
Names, addresses, and insurance information of all drivers
License plate numbers
Photos of vehicle damage, roadway conditions, and traffic signs
Contact information for witnesses
As you gather information at the scene, knowing what to say (and not say) to the other driver can help you avoid unintentionally jeopardizing your insurance claim.
Statements made at the scene—however well-intended—may later be interpreted as admissions. So whether you are talking to the other driver or the police officer, avoid speculating about fault or apologizing. Instead, clearly and concisely tell the officer the essential facts and refrain from oversharing.
Step Four: Obtain Reporting Information
Before leaving the scene, make sure you have the information needed to obtain the police report later. In Illinois, this often means asking the responding officer for the Driver Information Exchange, which identifies the parties involved and the agency responsible for preparing the official report.
McLean County Documentation Tip to Avoid Delays
In McLean County, car accident reports may be handled by the Bloomington Police Department, Normal Police Department, McLean County Sheriff’s Office, or Illinois State Police, depending on where the crash occurs. Before leaving, confirm which agency is responding and ask when and how the report will be available. Many delays happen because drivers request records from the wrong department or too early.
If the officer does not provide a Driver Information Exchange, ask for:
The responding agency’s name
The officer’s name
The report or case number
Accidents on interstates, county roads, or in smaller towns may involve different responding and reporting agencies than crashes inside Bloomington or Normal.
If you want a closer look at how reports are issued and obtained locally, see McLean County Car Accident Report Process: What to Expect.
Step Five: Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation
Medical treatment is not only about healing—it also establishes causation, which is a required element of any Illinois personal injury claim.
Many people mistakenly tell responding officers or medical personnel that they are “fine” and decline going to the hospital immediately after a car accident. From an injury claim perspective, the problem with this is that your adrenalin might cloud your actual injuries and many strained muscles and other soft tissue injuries don’t become noticeable until hours, days, or even weeks later.
Delays in treatment are commonly used by insurers to argue that injuries were unrelated or less serious. It’s best to get evaluated at the hospital and throughout your claim go to urgent care or have primary care visits to help document your symptoms and timelines.
While these steps address what to do immediately after a crash, there are many other issues that can affect an Illinois car accident claim — including insurance disputes, injury documentation, and compensation timelines. Our Illinois car accident claim guide provides a high-level overview of the entire claims process.
Why Consulting an Illinois Attorney Can Help
After an accident, important decisions — such as how you report injuries, track treatment, and communicate with insurers — can affect how your claim moves forward. An experienced Illinois personal injury attorney can help ensure you complete critical steps correctly and avoid avoidable mistakes that may weaken your claim.
Talk With a McLean County Personal Injury Attorney
To learn more about your options after a car accident, contact Koth Gregory & Nieminski.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call the police after every car accident in Illinois?
Police reports are required when injuries occur or when property damage exceeds statutory thresholds. Even when not required, reports often help document fault and damages.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
No, recorded statements can be used against you. First, meet with a personal injury lawyer. You may need to cooperate with your own insurer, but let your lawyer decide the extent of your communications with insurance companies.
What if I was partially at fault?
Illinois allows recovery if you are 50% or less at fault, with damages reduced proportionally.
Is an early settlement offer usually fair?
Early offers often do not account for future medical needs or long-term effects. Understanding the full scope of a claim matters.
Article Information
Published: January 12, 2026
Last Updated: January 15, 2026
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws may change, and outcomes depend on specific facts. Do not provide confidential information through this website.