Under Illinois state law (625 ILCS 5/11-403), all motorists have a duty to remain at the scene of a car accident and to exchange relevant information with all of the other parties involved in the crash.
Exchanging information is one of the most important steps to take after a car accident to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Below, our Rockford car accident attorneys highlight the information that you should be sure to obtain from the other drivers involved in the wreck.
Car accidents in Illinois: what information to exchange with other drivers
First and foremost, drivers are required to exchange personal identifying information. Among other things, all drivers involved in the wreck should be sure to exchange their:
- Name;
- Address;
- Phone number;
- Other useful contact details; and
- Driver’s license number.
This information is extremely important. Indeed, drivers are legally required to provide all relevant identifying details. You need to be sure that you know who else was involved in the crash and you know how to reach them. If the other driver refuses to exchange information, take a picture of their license plate. The police should be on the scene soon to resolve any problems.
Insurance information
Beyond personal identifying information, you should also be sure to get all relevant insurance information from the other drivers. This includes the name of their insurance provider, their policy number, and the expiration date on the insurance policy. The more information you can get your hands on, the better off you will be when it comes time to make a claim. Ideally, the other driver will have insurance and they will have their insurance policy cards within their vehicle — as is required by Illinois state law. If you were involved in a crash with an uninsured driver, you should consult with a car accident lawyer immediately.
Vehicle information
Finally, you should exchange vehicle information with all the other drivers involved in the crash. To start, get their license plate number. Once again, it is a good idea to snap a photo of the license. Beyond their license plate number, it is also useful to get the other driver’s vehicle registration information. They should have their registration in their vehicle. Unfortunately, not every driver complies with this rule. To make sure you have the proper identity, be sure to write down the make and model of the car.
Record other relevant details
Finally, you should also record any other relevant details from the scene of the wreck. For example, you should be sure to record the location of the wreck. It is a good idea to take photographs, write it down, and even to drop a ‘pin’ on your phone’s map applications. If there were any eyewitnesses to the crash — whether a passenger, a pedestrian, or a third party driver — try to obtain their contact information as well. While these steps are not required by Illinois law, it is in your best interest to get as much information as possible. Should you need to pursue a car accident claim, you will be able to rely on the evidence that you obtained.
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