The police are typically required to investigate any car accident occurring in Springfield. After investigating your crash, they will write up a report containing the pertinent details of your incident.
However, you might not get a copy on the scene and do not know how to get one for your legal claim. That is where our lawyers can put our skills to work for you by determining the police department that investigated your collision and how best to obtain the report. Our team has several uses for your police report, including identifying the defendant and eyewitnesses and learning the officer’s observations. In most cases, your police report can be retrieved online or by mail. However, we will need to get your report directly from the law enforcement agency that made the report, which is typically available after two weeks.
Call our Springfield car accident lawyers at the Rhatigan Law Offices today at (312) 578-8502 for a free review of your case.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Police Report for a Car Collision in Springfield, IL?
Because police reports are so important to recovering compensation after a car accident, you will want to know all the ways you can get a copy of yours. The good news is that you have a few convenient methods to obtain your police crash report. However, you will need to know which law enforcement agency investigated your crash and made the report. As the capital of Illinois, several law enforcement departments have jurisdiction in Springfield.
At the crash scene, the police might have given you a “motorist report” detailing the basic accident information, such as the date, time, and location. If so, check the upper left corner for a box labeled “Investigated By” to determine which department will have a copy of your report. If you are still unsure, our Illinois personal injury lawyers can help you locate and obtain your police report so you do not lose valuable time in your legal claim. Until then, the following will walk you through how to get a copy of your report from each of the agencies in Springfield:
The Springfield Police Department
The Springfield Police Department, the largest police force in the city, will most likely investigate your accident after the crash. Currently, the department offers two methods for obtaining your report: online and by mail.
You can get your police report online by visiting Crashdocs, which will likely be the fastest of the two once the report is available. To access the report, you must provide a reference or report number, an involved party’s last name, and the accident date. You will also be charged a $5 convenience fee for using the online portal.
You can also get a copy of the report by mailing a request to the SPD’s Records Department, but the process is more time-consuming. First, you will need to call the Records Department at 217-788-8337 and provide staff with your report number. They will then confirm the report’s availability and instruct you to mail a $5 check made out to the “Springfield Police Department” and a return envelope to 800 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62701. If staff cannot find your report, we can determine the issue so you get it as soon as possible.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
Besides being the state capital, Springfield is also the county seat for Sangamon County, so it is possible that the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office investigated your crash and drafted the report. If they did, you must get your report from them either online or by visiting their headquarters in person.
To get a copy of your report online, visit the Sheriff’s Office’s website and click on the “Traffic Crash Reports” link. That will take you to BuyCrash’s website. There, select Illinois as the state and then the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office as the jurisdiction. Next, you can retrieve the report by providing your report number or your last name and incident date. If you do not remember the date, you can access the report with your last name and the street where your accident occurred. The online report will cost $13.
If you prefer to get a copy directly from the Sheriff’s Office in person, visit the Records Section at 1 Sheriff’s Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701. You can call their offices at 217-753-6855 for more information or have our team reach out to them for you.
The Illinois State Police
If your accident occurred on I-55, I-72, or another municipal highway, you will probably need to get your report from the Illinois State Police online or by mail. Each request must be processed, so it could be ten or more days before you get your report after requesting it. Thus, we recommend using their online EPay system for the fastest results. Reports are $5 per copy, plus a small service fee.
You can also mail a written request to the Patrol Records Unit at 801 South 7th Street, Suite 600-M, Springfield, IL 62703. Your request should include as much information as possible, including the report number, crash date, location, and names of the parties involved. Also, include a money order or check for $5 made payable to the “Illinois State Police,” and a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
It must be noted that 5 I.L.C.S. § 140/1 requires these reports to be redacted, so some information might be blocked. If important details are hidden in your report, we can potentially obtain a subpoena or court order to get an unaltered copy.
Should I File a Police Report After My Springfield, IL Car Accident?
Not only should you file a police report to recover compensation, it is mandatory. If a driver is involved in any manner of car accident in Springfield, they must file a police report immediately, according to 625 I.L.C.S. § 5/11-407(a).
Review Your Police Report and Claim with Our Springfield, IL Car Accident Lawyers Today
For a free case assessment with our Springfield personal injury attorneys, call the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502.
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