This checklist covers what to do after a car accident in Illinois: get safe, call 911 if anyone may be hurt, exchange information, take photos, get medical care the same day or next day, notify your own insurer, and think before you give a recorded statement or accept an offer. Print it, save it to your phone, or keep a copy in your glove box. Most Illinois injury lawsuits must be filed within two years, with exceptions. Need help? Call Stavros Law Offices at (847) 520-4810 for a free consultation.

General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed: October 2026.

At the Scene: First 10 Minutes

• ☐ Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
• ☐ Call 911 if anyone may be hurt, if there is a fire or a hazard, or if the roadway is blocked.
• ☐ Turn on hazard lights. If the crash is minor and the vehicles can be driven, move out of traffic.
• ☐ Stay at the scene until information is exchanged and police say you may go.
• ☐ Do not argue, and do not guess about who caused the crash. Stick to facts.
• ☐ Do not apologize in a way that could be read as admitting fault.

In Illinois, you must give immediate notice to police if no officer is present and the crash causes injury or death or property damage over $1,500 (625 ILCS 5/11-407). The amount is $500 if a vehicle is uninsured. A police response is a good idea even when it is not required.

Exchange Information

Illinois law requires drivers to share their name, address and vehicle registration and to render reasonable aid to anyone hurt (625 ILCS 5/11-403). Get these items from every driver:

• ☐ Name, address and phone number
• ☐ Driver's license number
• ☐ License plate number and the make, model and color of the vehicle
• ☐ Insurance company and policy number (photograph the card)
• ☐ Names and phone numbers of passengers and witnesses
• ☐ Responding officer's name, badge number, agency and report number

Evidence to Gather

• ☐ Photos of all vehicles from several angles, plates, and close-ups of damage
• ☐ Photos or video of the road, signs, signals, skid marks, debris, weather and lighting
• ☐ Photos of visible injuries, repeated as bruising or swelling changes
• ☐ Witness names and a short note on what each saw
• ☐ The location, date and time, written down while you remember it
• ☐ A list of nearby cameras (stores, homes, buses) because video may be recorded over quickly
• ☐ Your vehicle, left unrepaired until photos and any needed inspection are done

Get Medical Care

• ☐ See a provider the same day or the next day, even if you feel fine. Some injuries do not show symptoms right away.
• ☐ Tell the provider about the crash and every symptom, even minor ones.
• ☐ Ask for written discharge and follow-up instructions.
• ☐ Keep every record, bill, prescription receipt and appointment summary in one folder.
• ☐ Follow the treatment plan and attend follow-up visits. Gaps in treatment can lead an insurer to question your injuries.
• ☐ Start a short symptom journal: pain level, sleep, missed work, and activities you could not do.

Notify Insurers

• ☐ Tell your own insurer about the crash promptly. Policies often require prompt notice, and the deadline varies by policy, so read yours.
• ☐ Give basic facts only: date, place, who was involved and the police report number.
• ☐ If the other driver's insurer calls, you may give your name and contact information. Think carefully before you give a recorded statement.
• ☐ Do not sign a broad medical authorization or a release until you understand what it covers.
• ☐ Do not accept an early offer before you know the full extent of your injuries and losses.
• ☐ Check your own policy for medical payments coverage and for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Illinois minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage (625 ILCS 5/7-203). Uninsured motorist coverage is required to be part of auto liability policies (215 ILCS 5/143a). For more on insurance steps, see dealing with insurance after a crash and uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.

What Not to Say or Post

• ☐ Do not post photos, videos or comments about the crash, your injuries or your activities on social media. Insurers may review public posts.
• ☐ Do not tell anyone you are “fine” or “not hurt” at the scene. Say you are not sure yet.
• ☐ Do not discuss fault with the other driver, their family or their insurer.
• ☐ Do not delete texts, photos or app data from around the time of the crash.

The First Week

• ☐ Request the police report from the agency that responded. Agencies differ in how and when a report is available. You do not need to file a driver crash report: the old 10-day driver report was repealed in 2021.
• ☐ Read the report and note any errors.
• ☐ Get repair estimates or a total-loss valuation. See our guide on a totaled car after an Illinois accident.
• ☐ Keep a log of missed work, rental car costs, mileage to appointments and other expenses.
• ☐ Keep all letters, emails and claim numbers in one place.
• ☐ Write down your filing deadline. Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202), but exceptions exist, such as shorter limits for some claims against government bodies. Read Illinois personal injury deadlines.
• ☐ Talk with a lawyer before you give a recorded statement, sign a release, or accept a settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Illinois?

You must give immediate notice to police if no officer is present and the crash causes injury or death or property damage over $1,500 (625 ILCS 5/11-407). The amount is $500 if a vehicle is uninsured. Even when it is not required, calling police creates a record of the crash.

Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?

You can give your name and contact information, but think carefully before giving a recorded statement or signing a broad medical authorization. You may not yet know the full extent of your injuries. Talk with a lawyer first if you are unsure.

Should I see a doctor if I feel fine?

Yes, we recommend getting evaluated the same day or the next day. Some injuries do not show symptoms right away, and an early medical record helps document what happened.

Do I need to file a driver crash report within 10 days?

No. The old 10-day driver crash report requirement was repealed in 2021. Ask the police agency that responded how to request its report.

How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit?

Most Illinois personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202), with exceptions. Some claims against government bodies have shorter limits, so ask an attorney about your deadline as soon as you can.

More Help

This checklist is the short version. Our full Car Accident Resource Center explains each step in detail, and our guide on comparative fault in Illinois explains how your share of fault affects a claim. If you were injured, you can also read about our Wheeling car accident services.

Talk to Our Team

Stavros Law Offices is one team handling criminal defense and DUI, personal injury and civil litigation. Call (847) 520-4810 or request a free consultation online. Our bilingual staff can assist. Se habla español.

Stavros Law Offices
433 N. Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 520-4810
Monday–Friday 9–5; closed Saturday
Serving clients in Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane and DuPage Counties.

General information, not legal advice; no attorney-client relationship until engaged; past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Laws and deadlines change and every case is different. Last reviewed: October 2026.