What To Do After An Auto Accident

Even the most careful driver can be the victim of an accident. If one happens, it pays to work quickly, gathering the information you need to minimize the damage and protect your rights.

First, take care of the important things: Stop your car and do not leave the scene, no matter how minor the accident; it is a crime to leave the scene of an accident. Pull out of the way of traffic if you can. Call the police and (if necessary) an ambulance. Until they arrive, give aid to anyone who is injured.

Once the scene is secure, it is important to gather information. Illinois law requires people involved in a collision to give each other their names, their addresses, and the license numbers of the cars involved and to show their driver's licenses if asked. Be sure to get this information, but understand that any other drivers involved have the right to get the same information from you. However, this does not mean that you ought to talk about the accident, and certainly don't admit you were at fault.

It is also a good idea to get the names and addresses of any witnesses, in case there is a dispute about what happened. If you have time, you might also want to make a diagram of the positions of the vehicles involved, and even to pace off distances, noting skid marks, broken glass, or other accident details that seem important.

Because the law requires all drivers in Illinois to carry insurance, you will likely have to deal with an insurance company after the collision. After leaving the scene, file a report about the collision with your insurance company.

See a doctor if necessary, and keep track of the bills. Also, keep track of any time you lose from work. If the collision is not your fault, you have a right to be compensated for your losses, pain, and suffering.

Finally, remember that if you have to deal with another driver's insurance company, it is not on your side. If you have any questions or are not getting the results you expect, don't hesitate to call our firm.

This website is not intended to constitute legal advice or the provision of legal services. By posting and/or maintaining the website and its contents, Lucas Law does not intend to solicit business from clients located in states or jurisdictions outside of Illinois wherein Lucas Law or its individual attorney(s) are not licensed or authorized to practice law.