Learn your legal duties after a car accident in Illinois, including exchanging information and reporting the accident to the police.
It is vital to know your legal duties when you get into a car crash in Illinois. Failing to comply with your responsibilities could result in penalties, such as fines or even jail time.
Keep reading to learn more about your legal obligations after a car accident. You can also find more details in Chapter 11, Article IV of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
1. Illinois Driver Exchange of Information Law
If you get into a motor vehicle accident, Illinois law requires you to stop at the scene and stay there until you fulfill all of your responsibilities. This includes exchanging information with the other driver, such as your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also show your own driver’s license if requested.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop at the scene and shall remain at the scene of the accident until the requirements of Section 11-403 have been fulfilled. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle shall give the driver’s name, address, registration number and owner of the vehicle and shall upon request and if available exhibit such driver’s license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of any vehicle collided with.
2. Illinois Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
Illinois law requires drivers to render aid to anyone who gets hurt in a car accident. This includes providing “reasonable assistance” to the injured party and, if necessary or requested, transporting or arranging transportation to a hospital for medical treatment.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance, including the carrying or the making of arrangements for the carrying of such person to a hospital for medical treatment, if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if requested by the injured person.
3. Illinois Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
According to Illinois law, any driver who is involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or damage to any property that exceeds $1,500 must give notice of the accident to the local police department, if no police officer is present at the scene. You must report the accident by the fastest means available.
If the driver is incapacitated and cannot give notice, another occupant of the vehicle must do so.
The driver of a vehicle which is involved in an accident shall, if no police officer is present, give notice of the accident by the fastest available means of communication to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality or otherwise to the nearest office of the county sheriff or nearest headquarters of the Illinois State Police.
Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving immediate notice of an accident and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident capable of doing so, that occupant must give notice.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Illinois?
In Illinois, if you fail to report an accident as the law requires, you can be charged with a petty offense. A petty offense is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 but cannot result in jail time.
It is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared with respect to particular offenses, it is a petty offense for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this Chapter.
4. Illinois Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
If you are involved in a car accident in Illinois that results in only damage to a vehicle, you are legally required to stop at the scene and remain there until you have exchanged information with the other driver. You must also attempt to move your vehicle if it is blocking lanes of traffic.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene and shall remain at the scene of such motor vehicle accident until the requirements of Section 11-403 have been fulfilled.
Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. If a damaged vehicle is obstructing traffic lanes, the driver of the vehicle must make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved so as not to block the traffic lanes.
The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle shall give the driver’s name, address, registration number and owner of the vehicle and shall upon request and if available exhibit such driver’s license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of any vehicle collided with.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, if you hit a parked car, you must find the vehicle’s owner and give them your name, address, and registration number. If you can’t locate the owner, you must leave a note containing this information and notify the closest police department of the accident.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended resulting in damage to such other vehicle shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the driver’s name, address, registration number and owner of the vehicle or shall attach securely in a conspicuous place on or in the vehicle a written notice and shall without unnecessary delay notify the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority.
Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. If a damaged vehicle is obstructing traffic lanes, the driver of the vehicle must make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved so as not to block the traffic lanes.
It is essential to know Illinois car accident laws and your responsibilities if you are involved in a crash. By understanding these requirements, you can help protect yourself, your passengers, and your property. You can also avoid legal problems and the potential consequences of violating the law.
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