Short answer: yes. In almost every case, you should call the police after a car accident in Chicago.
Stephen D. Phillips: Safety comes first
Transcript: “The first thing to remember is your safety. A lot of people think you shouldn’t move the car, but if you can, get the cars off the roadway. Don’t get out and start exchanging driver’s license information in the middle of the expressway, the way we see people do. Don’t fight about the property, and don’t put yourself at risk just to get insurance information. Get off onto the shoulder of the road first. Then, if someone is hurt, call the police, call 911, and make sure the proper people are notified to come take care of the injured person.”
Illinois law requires it any time someone is hurt or killed, or when there’s serious damage. And even when a crash looks minor, the police report often turns into the most important piece of evidence you have once the insurance company starts pushing back.
We put this question to three of our attorneys. Stephen D. Phillips answered above. Here are the other two, in their own words.
More Answers From Our Attorneys
Stephen J. Phillips: It depends on the circumstances
Transcript: “Whether or not to call the police is a decision you’ll have to make based on the circumstances. If there is any injury, you’re in pain, or you feel you need to go to a doctor or be hospitalized, then yes, it’s advisable to call the police so they can author a police report. If it’s only property damage, or a minor fender bender where you don’t feel you need medical attention, you may not need to. It depends on your level of comfort and what you feel comfortable doing.”
Michael J. Phillips: Document that it happened
Transcript: “You should contact the police to document the fact that the accident happened in the first place. The involvement of the police can also develop information you’ll need to make a claim, the name of the other driver, the owner of the other vehicle, and their insurance information. And finally, the police investigation may lead to a citation against the other driver, which you can use to help prove your claim.”
What a Police Report Actually Captures
The report is more than paperwork. It’s a neutral account of the crash, written by someone with no stake in your claim.
A typical Illinois crash report includes:
- The date, time, and exact location
- Names, contact details, and insurance for every driver
- Witness names and what they saw
- The officer’s own observations and a diagram of the scene
- Any tickets issued on the spot
- The officer’s read on how it happened
That last one carries real weight. A citation against the other driver can do a lot of the work of proving your case for you. Our guide on how to get your police report after a car accident explains how to request a copy.
What Illinois Law Requires
This isn’t entirely your call to make.
Under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-401 and the sections that follow), drivers in a crash that causes injury, death, or property damage have to stop and report it. If no officer investigates at the scene, you may still have to file a written crash report yourself (the SR-1 Motorist Report, filed with the Illinois Secretary of State) within 10 days. That applies to any crash with an injury or death, or with property damage above $1,500, or above $500 when one of the vehicles was uninsured (625 ILCS 5/11-406).
Skip a report you were required to file, and the Secretary of State can suspend your license.
What If the Police Don’t Show Up?
It happens. Officers in Chicago are stretched thin and won’t always come out for a fender bender.
If no one responds, do the documenting yourself:
- Trade information with the other driver
- Photograph both vehicles and the whole scene
- Get names and numbers from any witnesses
Then file the report at the nearest station or online. Do it quickly, witnesses scatter and memories fade.
How the Report Helps Your Injury Claim
An adjuster trusts the police report more than they’ll ever trust your word. That’s just how the process works.
It names the other driver, lists any citations, and spells out the officer’s view of who caused the crash. Every one of those becomes leverage when you file. Our Chicago car accident lawyers use that report as the backbone of the claim.
Related Guides
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your fault
- Hit-and-run accidents in Illinois: what to do and your legal rights
- What to do if the at-fault driver has no insurance in Illinois
- Illinois car accident laws: what you need to know
Talk to a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
Hurt in a crash? We’ll pull the police report, take the insurance company off your hands, and go after what you’re owed.
Call (312) 346-4262. The first consultation is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in Illinois?
Not always. No injuries and only light damage? You may not be required to call them to the scene. But an official report still protects you if a claim comes up later.
What if I didn’t call the police at the scene?
You can still file a written report afterward. Save everything you have, photos, witness details, the other driver’s information, and file as soon as you can.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Illinois?
When police didn’t investigate at the scene, the driver’s written report (SR-1) generally has to be filed within 10 days for any crash involving injury, death, or damage above the legal threshold.
