If you were injured in a vehicle crash, you might have to file an insurance claim or take other legal action to get financial compensation. A key part of your legal strategy might include obtaining a copy of the police report from the accident. Depending on the accident and the thoroughness of law enforcement’s investigation, the police report might contain incredibly valuable information.
Typically, car accident victims can get a copy of the police report once the police complete their investigation. How long this takes depends on the severity of the accident and the complexity of the facts. When the report is ready, it may be available online, although arranging for a copy in person or through the mail might be possible. Once we have the report, we can review it to see if the police have turned up any new evidence. Remember, reports are only available for accidents that were actually reported to the authorities. You might want to talk to an attorney if your accident was never reported.
Get a free case evaluation by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 and speaking to our Schaumburg car accident lawyers.
How Soon After a Vehicle Crash in Schaumburg Can I Get a Copy of the Police Report?
In many cases, an accident report from the police is ready within a few weeks of the crash. However, certain factors might cause your report to be ready sooner or later than usual. If it has been a while since your accident and you have not heard anything about the report, talk to your attorney about it. Our Schaumburg car accident lawyers can contact the police and ask about the report. The investigation may still be pending, or other matters may have taken priority over your report.
Your report may be ready when the police complete their investigation. If your accident is severe and involves serious injuries, heavy property damage, or death, the police are much more likely to take their time and investigate more thoroughly. If the other driver faces criminal charges for their actions, the investigation might take even longer. On top of that, we should consider the complexity of the facts. If multiple drivers are involved and it is unclear who caused the accident and who is just a victim, the police will need to take more time in their investigation, and it might be a while before we see a copy of the report.
Reports for less severe collisions might be available sooner. For example, a minor fender-bender might cause you some costly vehicle damage and even a couple of injuries. Still, these accidents are fairly straightforward and tend to require minimal investigation. In such a case, the report will likely be available fairly quickly.
Where to Get Copies of the Police Report About a Car Accident in Schaumburg
Getting police reports for car accidents can be accomplished in a few different ways. How we get a copy of the report might depend on which police department handled your accident cases. Local authorities might make reports available in a different way than the state authorities. If you are unsure who handled the accident or where to go to get a copy of the report, ask your attorney for help.
Online
Getting a copy of your police report might be as easy as going online and submitting a request form. Many police departments, including the Schaumburg Police Department and the Illinois State Police, make accident reports available to drivers online. You might have to pay a small fee when you submit the request, and a copy of the report should be available. You may need details about the accident to find your report online, including the date of the crash or a report number if you have one.
In Person
If obtaining a copy of the police report for your accident online does not work for you, our team can help you make a request in person at the police station. The Schaumburg Police Department may get you the report in person. We can go to the police department during normal business hours, pay a $5 fee, and get a copy of the report. Getting a copy of the report in person from a state police station might be harder or not impossible. Remember, the state authorities deal with accidents and other incidents across the entire state. However, there might still be other ways to get a copy of the report.
The state police offer copies of car accident reports by mail. However, this process might be a bit more complicated than requesting a copy online. When sending car accident reports by mail, the state police abide by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). We must submit a request including the report number, date of the crash, location of the crash, and names of involved parties to the authorities. If you want an unredacted copy, we need a court order or subpoena.
What to Do if Your Car Accident Was Never Reported to the Police in Schaumburg
Car accident reports are only available to drivers whose accidents were reported to the authorities. While serious accidents involving calls to 911 calls are often reported to the police almost automatically, many smaller collisions go unreported. Unfortunately, many drivers who choose not to report accidents find themselves needing an accident report later. You might even be in trouble for failing to report certain kinds of accidents.
If your accident was never reported, talk to your attorney. Depending on the nature of the accident, it may or may not need to be reported. While minor fender-benders do not have to be brought to the attention of law enforcement, and a report will likely not be necessary, a more serious collision requires police intervention.
Reporting requirements are spelled out under 625 I.L.C.S. § 5/11-407(a). More serious accidents involving serious injuries, death, or more extensive property damage must be reported to the authorities by the quickest means possible. Failure to do so might land you in legal trouble, especially if injuries or death are involved.
Contact Our Schaumburg Car Accident Attorneys for Help
Get a free case evaluation by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 and speaking to our Schaumburg personal injury lawyers.
Related Posts