With the number of car accidents in Chicago rising in the last few years, increased caution on the road has become even more necessary. Yet, no matter how careful you are, you can still sometimes end up in a Chicago car accident. 

When that happens, it’s crucial to stay calm and remember what you need to do when you’re involved in a car crash. However, the question now is, “What should you do when you’re involved in a Chicago car crash?”

What to Do After a Car Accident in Chicago, IL

Stop

When you’re involved in a car accident in Chicago, the first thing you need to do is to stop. You should never leave the accident scene in such cases, regardless of how minor the crash was.

However, if the other driver leaves immediately, you should write down their license plate so that the authorities can quickly locate them later on. If you can, take a photo or video of the other driver’s car, as these can help identify the driver more easily.

Keep Calm and Assess the Damages

The next step you need to take is to check if you or anyone else was hurt in the accident. If anyone needs medical assistance, you should call an ambulance immediately. However, if you’ve confirmed everyone’s safety, you can proceed to assess the damages to both your car and the other driver’s. 

You must stay calm and avoid making any rash decisions during these times, even when pressured to do so. You should take all the time you need to thoroughly assess the damages. Aside from this, you should also make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers that there has been an incident.

Collect All Necessary Information

After this, you should collect all the information you’ll need to make an accident report. In these cases, you’ll need to collect the following data:

• The location of the crash
• Both drivers’ details, including your names, license plate number, insurance company, and policy number, etc.
• What type of vehicles were involved in the crash
• Information about the passengers or any witnesses

File an Accident Report

Once you have all the necessary information, you should then file an accident report with the police. Doing this is essential even for minor car accidents since this will serve as an official document of the incident. 

Accident reports can also come in handy when you need to file a lawsuit later on, especially if you or your passengers were hurt in a car accident in Chicago. 

Limit Discussions and Consult a Lawyer 

Whether it was your fault or the other driver’s, it would be in your best interest to limit your discussions with the other driver regarding the accident. In these cases, it’s best to only discuss what happened with the police or your car insurance company.

Aside from this, it would also be a good idea to consult a auto accident lawyers savannah ga, especially if anyone suffered injuries from the crash. In these cases, Chicago car accident lawyers can guide you on what to do next if legal action is needed.

Moreover, a Chicago car injury attorney can also help protect your rights and ensure that all valuable evidence is preserved. They can advise you on what legal steps you can take and ensure you’re fully compensated, whether it’s for your medical expenses or vehicle repairs.

The Bottom Line

If you were involved in a Chicago car crash today, it’s crucial to know what you need to do after the incident. Doing so will enable you to follow the proper procedures and guarantee both your safety and rights, especially if legal action is required.

With that said, consulting with one of the best Chicago car accident attorneys immediately after the incident can be an excellent way to do this. They can help you identify everything you need to do after the fact, regardless of who caused the accident.

Paul Petersen