In this article, you will discover:
- The importance of accident reports in your personal injury case.
- How to request a copy of your accident report in Illinois.
- What to do if a witnesses’ statement contradicts your claim.
Why Are Police Reports Crucial For Personal Injury Cases?
In most Illinois jurisdictions, the police will respond to any car crash on a public roadway. However, in Chicago, the police generally do not respond unless the accident is significant or is stopping traffic.
When the police respond, they always create an accident report. If the police do not respond to your accident, you should go to the police department to file a report. This step is crucial because it’s your opportunity to get all the information about the other driver into the record, such as their address and insurance information.
The report also serves as a record of the accident and should include details about what everybody says, including witnesses, regarding how the accident occurred.
While the accident report is the best way to let the insurance company know that a crash took place and who was involved, it’s not dispositive or determinative of who was at fault. In fact, in Illinois courts, these records are almost never admissible in front of a jury.
Still, the report does give the insurance company:
- An idea about who may have been at fault
- Proof that there was a crash
- All the information needed to initiate a claim
How Can I Get A Copy Of The Accident Report?
Getting a copy of your accident report depends on where the crash took place and which police department conducted the report. Every police department has its way of responding to requests for traffic crash reports.
The Illinois State Police requires you to send them a request in writing, and it can take a while for a response. The Chicago Police Department has a dedicated website where, if you have the report number and the date of the crash, you can order a copy of the report for $6.00.
Many of the other police departments have online services where you can pay a small fee to get the report. Others, if you call them, will email the report to you. In any case, my law office can obtain the police report for you if you do not already have a copy.
Attorney Alexander Memmen is an experienced lawyer based in Chicago, IL, who has helped countless clients just like you navigate the intricacies of personal injury law. With almost two decades of experience, he is prepared to assist you in gathering evidence and building an airtight case in pursuit of your car accident insurance claim so that you are just compensated for your injuries.
Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact Sharks At Law today to schedule an initial consultation.
Can I Amend An Accident Report That Contains Errors?
You can not amend an accident report, but the police may add a supplemental page to the report to include any additional facts that come to light.
What Role Do Witness Statements Play In Winning A Case?
Witness statements, especially third-party witness statements about how the crash happened, can be highly important. If you had a friend or a family member riding in the car at the time of the accident, their testimony can be compelling, as well.
What Happens If Witness Statements Contradict My Version Of Events?
If your case includes a witness statement that contradicts your version of events, I will first consider the witness’s reason or motive to contradict. For example…
- Are they a friend or family member of the defendant?
- Do they know somebody involved?
- Do they have some sort of bias?
- Were they at a distance from the accident site, or were they looking in a different direction?
Determining what factors were involved can help me determine whether a contradictory witness statement has credibility issues, helping support your case.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
For more information on the importance of accident reports in your Cook County personal injury claim, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (312) 210-7229 today.
Attorney Alexander Memmen is an experienced lawyer based in Chicago, IL, who has helped countless clients just like you navigate the intricacies of personal injury law. With almost two decades of experience, he is prepared to assist you in gathering evidence and building an airtight case in pursuit of your car accident insurance claim so that you are just compensated for your injuries.
Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact Sharks At Law today to schedule an initial consultation.
