Car accidents can be disruptive and unavoidable. Victims often wish to deal with the aftermath of their collisions as quickly as possible, so they may return to their daily routines. Accordingly, many of such victims question whether they need to call the police after experiencing a crash.
You should always call the police after a car accident in Chicago. First, those who flee the scene of a harmful accident can be charged with a hit and run. Furthermore, an officer must visit the scene of your crash to draft an official accident report. An accident report can be crucial when proving which driver is at fault for a crash.
If you were injured because of a car accident in Chicago, get help pursuing the financial compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced Chicago car accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
Reporting Your Car Accident to the Police in Chicago
After experiencing a car accident in Chicago, you should call the police to report the collision right away. First, according to 625 I.L.C.S. 5/11-401, a driver involved in an accident that causes injury or death must immediately stop their vehicle and call 911. A driver who flees the scene of an injurious accident can be charged with a hit-and-run and may be precluded from recovering compensation related to their accident.
It can be very difficult for a motorist to know whether their accident caused an injury without stopping to check on the other parties involved. Accordingly, you should always stop to assess the damages caused by a crash before driving away. If your accident resulted in any form of personal injury, you should call the police to report your accident and avoid being charged with a crime.
Additionally, you should report your car accident to the police so that an officer may visit the scene to draft an accident report. An accident report may offer a wide range of details regarding the circumstances of your collision. For instance, a police officer may provide the following information in their report:
- Statements from drivers involved in an accident
- Statements from witnesses who saw the collision occur
- A diagram of the crash
- Information regarding the people involved in a collision
- Information regarding the property damaged because of the accident
- Notes indicating why or how a crash occurred
The data provided in these reports can be highly beneficial to our Chicago personal injury lawyers when proving that another driver caused your crash. Therefore, you should always report your car accident to the police. These reports can be crucial when seeking compensation from another driver. Our attorneys can help obtain a copy of the official accident report in your case.
Can You Dispute an Incorrect Police Report After a Car Accident in Chicago?
Reporting your car accident injury to the police is a necessary step towards receiving compensation related to the harm you suffered. However, the information provided in police reports is not always correct. Fortunately, the following types of incorrect information may be disputed:
- Factual errors
- Inaccurate transcriptions
- Errors of exclusion
- Disputed information
If you believe your police report provides incorrect information, our Chicago car accident lawyers can help raise a dispute. In order to dispute an incorrect police report, you must obtain a copy of your report, record a recollection of your crash, contact the reporting officer, and provide a written statement. Our team can offer guidance and support throughout each step of the aforementioned process.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries Reported to the Police in Chicago
There are numerous types of injuries caused by car accidents. Some of such injuries may heal quickly while others will produce long-lasting, detrimental impacts on victims’ lives.
Regardless of their severity, all car accident injuries should be reported to the police. The following are common types of car accident injuries reported to the police in Chicago:
Broken Bones
Many car accident victims sustain broken bones. Such injuries often occur when victims make physical contact with objects inside of their vehicles during crashes. Broken bones can be very painful and often force injured parties to spend time away from work while they recover. Fortunately, our Aurora car accident lawyers can help recover monetary damages related to the treatment of your broken bones.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are a particularly serious type of car accident injury reported to the police in Chicago. Such injuries can produce a wide range of effects on victims’ enjoyment of life. Furthermore, those with traumatic brain injuries often require long-term medical care. Victims with traumatic brain injuries can contact our Chicago car accident lawyers for help finding the right treatment for them.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are another common type of car accident injury reported to the police in Chicago. Soft tissue injuries describe harm to ligaments, tendons, and muscles anywhere in the body. These injuries are often debilitating and painful. If you suffered soft tissue injuries because of a car accident, you should report your injuries to the police as soon as possible. Our attorneys can provide guidance and support when reporting your injuries to the appropriate parties.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Lastly, spinal cord injuries are another severe type of car accident injury reported to the police in Chicago. Such injuries are typically caused by head-on collisions and by crashes that occur at high speeds.
Spinal cord injuries can produce numerous devastating effects on victims’ quality of life. Many of those with spinal cord injuries will have trouble enjoying the same hobbies or activities they did before their injury. If you suffered a spinal cord injury because of a car accident, our Illinois personal injury lawyers can help fight for compensation for the emotional pain and physical suffering you endured.
If You Were Injured Because of a Car Accident in Chicago, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a car accident, seek assistance from our experienced Naperville, IL car accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
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