How to Document Your Car Accident in Illinois

Have you sustained injuries in an Illinois car crash caused by someone else? You may be entitled to compensation, which requires filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.

However, the insurance company may deny your auto insurance claim if you don’t provide strong evidence of negligence. Guard against this by thoroughly documenting your crash and the losses you’ve sustained. A car crash attorney from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can discuss how we can help with your case when you contact us for a free case review.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Document the Car Wreck

Identifying the liable party and gathering strong evidence of the other driver’s negligence will require investigating your collision. A skilled Chicago car accident attorney can handle that for you.

They may investigate by:

• Interviewing witnesses
• Reviewing photos and footage of the crash
• Reviewing the accident report
• Reviewing statements from the other drivers involved in the accident
• If necessary, coordinating with collision reconstruction experts

How a lawyer investigates your crash may depend on the specific details of the collision. An experienced attorney knows what types of evidence can best prove your claim. They can send a letter of spoliation to at-fault parties and auto insurance companies to demand they preserve evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed. They can subpoena cell phone records and other evidence to support your claim. Your lawyer will advocate for your best interest through every step of the claims process.

Steps to Document the Collision

Follow these steps to document the collision:

Contact the Police

Contacting law enforcement after a motor vehicle collision is essential. When the police investigate, be careful not to say anything that could suggest you caused the crash.

An officer can investigate the accident and file a police report, which serves as an official record of the event. The police report may contain useful information about the crash, such as:

• The date and time of the crash
• The address where the collision occurred
• The vehicle location of all vehicles involved in the crash
• The names of the police officers who responded to the scene
• The officer’s opinion about how the accident happened
• Relevant weather and road conditions
• A diagram of the crash scene
• Other important details

Ask the law enforcement officer for their badge number and how to get a copy of the accident report. Contact the police department and request a copy in the days following the crash. The information in the report could strengthen your car accident claim.

Check for Injuries

Check yourself for injuries that need immediate attention in the aftermath of a crash. Get to a safe spot away from traffic once you’ve done so. Activate your hazard lights. Next, check on the condition of the other drivers and passengers involved in the wreck. Request emergency services if anyone is injured.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

Exchange the following information with the other drivers:

• Contact information
• Driver’s license information
• Insurance information
• Vehicle owner information (if the driver is not the owner of the vehicle)
• License plate number

A negligent driver may flee the scene after a crash. If this happens, try to remember as many identifying details as possible. If you have time, take a picture of their vehicle before they’re out of sight. Any information you are able to provide to the police may help them track down the motorist who caused the crash.

Take Pictures

Taking pictures of the crash scene and your injuries is key to gathering strong evidence for your claim. Follow these tips when photographing the scene:

• Photograph exterior and interior damage to all cars involved in the crash.
• Use landmarks like street signs to take pictures showing the positions of the vehicles at the crash scene.
• Take pictures from multiple angles, including close-ups of license plates and wide shots of the crash scene and surrounding area.
• Take pictures of skid marks and debris on the road.
• Photograph any nearby traffic signs and road hazards.
• Ensure your phone’s settings include a digital time stamp with the pictures you take.

Your smartphone can be an important tool when it comes to documenting the scene of a crash. Taking more pictures than you need is always preferable to taking too few pictures.

Get Information from Witnesses

Identify witnesses at the scene of the crash and ask for their names and contact information.

Seek Medical Treatment

Immediately after the police give you permission to leave the scene of the crash, take one of the following steps:

• Visit the emergency room.
• Visit your nearest urgent care clinic.
• See your doctor, but only if they can see you that day.

You might not notice any symptoms of injury right away, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unharmed. Adrenaline may be coursing through your body, preventing you from experiencing pain. This is one of the many reasons you should never say you’re fine when someone asks if you think you’re injured after a crash. It’s best to say, “I don’t know.”

See a doctor right away and save any medical bills and records from the appointment.

Keep Documentation of Your Losses

You need to provide evidence of your losses when seeking compensation after a motor vehicle collision. Preserve documents related to:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Transportation expenses
• Tow truck receipts
• Repairs for property damage
• Relevant out-of-pocket expenses

You may also document intangible losses that don’t have a dollar value. For example, you may struggle with pain in the months following a car crash. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your pain, even if it doesn’t have an exact dollar value. Keeping a pain journal can help you effectively document this loss.

Contact an Illinois Car Accident Attorney

Gathering proper documentation of your crash and subsequent losses is one of many tasks a lawyer can handle on your behalf. While you focus on your recovery, an Illinois car accident lawyer can compile a thorough claim and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement on your behalf.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has a proven track record of success representing clients like you. We have obtained over $2.5 billion in compensation for our deserving clients and are prepared to work just as hard to secure the compensation you need. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online or calling us today for a free case review.