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How To File A Car Accident Police Report In Chicago

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The CPD maintains the directory of sex offenders living in the City of Chicago, as well as important information about them. The CPD provides public access to Chicago sex offender information through the CLEARMAP Sex Offenders web application. This web application allows interested persons to search the CPDs database of registered sex offenders. It can be searched with the sex offenders name, address, park, beat, school, ward, or community. Researchers can also use a combination of an address and a search distance. A third available option is the offender type, gender, and age. Sex offender information is updated once per day.

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How Do I Get A Copy Of An Accident Report In Illinois

In Illinois, various law enforcement agencies–usually the local police department, provide guidance on how to get a copy of a traffic crash report. First, you must know which police department handled your traffic accident. To know which police department handled your car crash, refer to the Investigated By section of the motorist report, which is in the box in the upper left corner of the report. In Illinois, the Chicago Police or the Illinois State Troopers handle most motor vehicle crashes.

How Do I Obtain A Car Accident Report

A car accident report is an official document that contains the important details concerning an automobile accident. In Texas, there are two major types of accident reports. The Drivers Crash Report, or CR-2 is a report made by individual drivers when law enforcement does not investigate the crash. This is the report you would fill out yourself when involved in a low-speed fender bender in a mall parking lot, for example. However, if the damages caused by the crash exceed $1,000, or in the event that the crash resulted in injury or death, law enforcement must file an accident report. This report is officially known as a Texas Peace Office Crash Report, or CR-3.

What Information is Contained in a Car Accident Report?The aim of a car accident report is to document the facts of the accident. For example, the law enforcement officer will document who was involved in the accident, how and when the crash occurred, and where the accident took place. The report also documents the identities of the people involved and any special circumstances. The car accident report will also roughly describe the damage caused to each vehicle and whether any personal injuries were apparent at the time of the accident.

Do I need a Certified Copy of my Accident Report?If you need the report for legal proceedings, then a certified crash report will be necessary. If in doubt, contact your attorney or insurance company to find out which version you need.

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Police Reports And Car Insurance Claims

A police report helps you in a number of ways:

  • It helps facilitate the claims process with your auto insurance company.
  • It can mean a quicker payout on your claim, as fault and accident details will be easier to determine with the report.
  • Should your accident escalate into in a court case, your attorney will need a copy of the police report.

However, understand that even if you file a police report, you do not automatically have to file a claim with your car insurance company. If the amount of damage to your car is small and your car insurance deductible is high, you might want to pay the expenses yourself without involving your car insurance company. This may help you avoid accident-related rate hikes in the future.

How Can I Obtain A Copy Of My Traffic Accident Report From The Chicago Police Department

CPD Charge Release  Man Charged in Fatal Traffic Accident

You may request a crash report from the Chicago Police Department in person, by mail, or online.

Logon to the Official CPD Crash Report web page, and be prepared to provide the following details from the accident, along with payment totaling $6 :

  • The driver’s name
  • The location of the crash

To request an accident report in person, appear at:

Central Police Headquarters

3510 S. Michigan Avenue, 1st Floor, Room 1043

Chicago, IL 60653

To request an accident report by mail:

Send the accident details and $5 check or money order made payable to the Department of

Revenue, City of Chicago accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope and the applicable fees to:

Chicago Police Department

Records Inquiry and Customer Service Section, Unit 163

3510 S. Michigan Avenue

Applicable Fees for Requesting a Crash Report In Person or By Mail:

  • .50 cents for each copy of a case report.
  • $5.00 for each copy of a Traffic Crash Report
  • $20.00 for a report generated by an accident reconstruction officer or accident reconstruction team in the case of the traffic crash.

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Do Document The Accident Scene

Before they are towed away, take photos of the exterior and interior of all vehicles involved. You should also get photos of the vehicle license plates, skid marks, broken glass, nearby traffic controls and the surrounding area. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved in the crash. Get witness names and contact information as well.

What Should I Do If The Other Driver Does Not Stop At The Scene Of The Accident

If you are involved in a hit and run accident, it is important to try to get as much information about the other driver as possible. Try to get the following information:

  • A description of the other car, including the make, model, and color

  • The license plate number

  • A description of the driver

  • Any witnesses to the accident

If you cannot get this information, do not chase after the other driver. This could put you in danger. Instead, try to remember as many details as possible about the other car and driver.

If you are able to get a picture of the other car or the license plate, this can be helpful in tracking down the driver. You can also call the police to file a report. The police may be able to help you find the other driver.

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to make a claim under your own insurance policy. If you have been the victim of a hit and run accident, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer who can assist with the claims process and help you investigate the accident and find the other driver.

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Whats In A Car Accident Police Report

A car accident police report usually contains the following:

  • Details of the car accident, including the people, vehicles and property involved
  • Identifying information about parties involved may include addresses, phone numbers and insurance information
  • Identifying information for witnesses
  • Descriptions of damage to the vehicles and or persons involved
  • Violations of the law or citations, if any
  • Other findings or conclusions about how or why the accident occurred, including the officers opinions as to the cause of the collision and/or a determination of fault
  • What Types Of Reports Can Be Filed Online

    How to File a Police Report After a Car Accident

    When you need to file a police report in Chicago, the option to handle this issue online is appealing. However, you don’t always know which crimes you can report online and which ones you need to file in person. Here are a few of the types of crime reports that can be filed online:

    Petit larceny This is a theft of cash or property under $1,000 and didn’t involve the theft in person. An example includes an expensive watch stolen from a locker at the gym or money taken out of your purse during a party at your home.
    Lost property This type of report isn’t to report a crime, but something you lost. An example might be a book bag left on the subway or leaving a cell phone on a park bench.
    Criminal mischief This crime occurs when someone is intentionally damaging property, such as kids throwing rocks through the windows of cars and homes.
    Graffiti This is a crime where someone etches, scratches, or paints something onto a surface they shouldn’t. For example, spray-painting mean or lewd things onto a store window.

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    How To Obtain Chicago Criminal Court Records

    The Circuit Clerk maintains Chicago criminal court records. Interested persons may submit in-person or mail requests to obtain copies of a criminal court record. Simply complete the records search request form or the records request form and include payment. Submit the request to:

    Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County50 West Washington Street

    Can You Get A Settlement From A Hit & Run

    There are two main ways to receive a settlement after a hit-and-run accident. First, if the police can locate the hit-and-run driver, you can bring a claim against their insurance company, just as you would in any standard car accident case. If, however, the police are not able to identify the hit-and-run driver, your only option is to seek compensation through your own insurance provider.

    As part of its auto insurance requirements, the state of Illinois requires you to purchase minimum at least $25,000/$50,000 per person/accident in uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. The purpose of UM/UIM coverage is to protect you when you are hit by motorists who do not have insurance or only have the minimum liability insurance, and this is not enough to cover your damages. UM coverage also protects you when you are involved in a hit-and-run.

    After a hit-and-run accident, you can turn to your auto insurance provider and file a UM claim. This allows you to collect compensation for your medical bills, but it doesnot cover vehicle repair costs. You will need to file a collision insurance claim with your insurance company to recover vehicle repair or replacement expenses.

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    The Value Of Police Reports

    Depending on where you live, you may be required to contact your police department and file a report.

    Even if the law does not require it, it is wise to file a police report even if the accident seems minor. Consider the following:

    • Injuries may not become apparent for a few days or weeks.
    • You may not notice all of the damage to your car immediately.
    • The other party may make false claims about the car accident later.
    • The other party may admit fault to you but change his mind as time passes.

    How Do I Get A Police Report For A Car Accident In Illinois

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    Home // Blog // Auto Accidents // How do I Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Illinois?

    If you decide to hire an experienced car accident attorney, they will help you gather the necessary evidence and build a solid case so that you can get the compensation you deserve, especially if your accident was caused by someone elses negligence.

    While your personal injury attorney will track down the substantive evidence needed to support your accident claim, its essential to know how to get a police report for a car accident in Illinois. Its likely both your auto accident lawyer and the insurance company will require the information recorded by the police officer at the time of the motor vehicle crash. The process varies from state to state, so understanding how it works in your county can speed up the litigation process.

    Once your car accident attorney has the police report and other relevant evidence, they can start building a strong car accident case on your behalf against the at-fault driver. As they do that, you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to your normal life. To learn more about the automobile accident claim process, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer at CCAL today at .

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    Do Keep A Journal And/or File Of Your Accident And Recovery

    Make sure to write down your memories of what happened in the accident while those details are still fresh in your mind. You should keep a journal that records your injuries and the way they have impacted your normal life activities. It also a good idea to keep a file in which you can store copies of all medical bills and other receipts, accident reports, work records and correspondence between you and insurance company representatives.

    How Insurance Companies Use Police Reports

    The insurance companies for all parties involved in the car accident will conduct their own investigations into the incident. Since the insurance adjusters were not witnesses to the event, one of the first pieces of evidence they will review is the car accident police report.

    In the event an insurance company comes to a different opinion than the police report or the other drivers insurance denies your claim, a police report could potentially support your case when it comes to a fault determination.

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    Speak To An Attorney About Your Next Steps

    If you are filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in Illinois, a police report is an important piece of evidence for your case. However, it is not the only document that you will require. Depending on your case, you may also need to gather medical records, photographs and videos, witness statements, expert evaluations, and more.

    Navigating a claim can be challenging, especially if you are suffering from a recent injury. In these situations, consult with a Chicago personal injury attorney.

    A lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your right to compensation, representing you during negotiations and at trial. As soon as possible following your accident, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.

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    Once you have done all you can do at the scene of a car accident, you can reach out to a lawyer to provide the help you need during this difficult time. The personal injury team at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can review the evidence you preserved at the scene of the crash, the police report, and documentation of your damages to determine the relief you might be able to receive for your serious injuries. We will handle communications with the insurance company and negotiate a fair settlement of your claim.

    Contact us today at to take advantage of your free consultation and get your questions about the personal injury claim process or the insurance claim process answered by an experienced lawyer. We are here to fight for you and help you seek full and fair compensation.

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    Do Get A Copy Of The Traffic Crash Report

    Write down the name, badge number and agency of the law enforcement officer who responds to your crash and prepares the traffic crash report. Also, make sure to get the report number. You should be able to contact the law enforcement agency within a day or two after the crash and request a copy of the report. For instance, if the Chicago Police Department prepared your crash report, you can simply go online and get a copy.

    The Independent Monitoring Team Is Responsible For Assessing The Chicago Police Departments And The City Of Chicagos Compliance With The Consent Decree It Requires The Cpd To Provide Constitutional Policing That Respects The Rights Of All Chicagoans Builds Community Trust And Promotes Community And Officer Safety

    In December 2015, the U.S. Attorney General launched a broad civil rights investigation into the CPDs policing practices. The U.S. Department of Justice released the results of its investigation in January 2017, finding a longstanding, pervasive pattern or practice of civil rights abuses by the CPD.

    In August 2017, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General sued the City in federal court, seeking a Consent Decree that would address DOJs findings and recommendations. The case was assigned to Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr. The OAG then sought input from community members and Chicago police officers and negotiated the Consent Decree with the City.

    In March 2018, the Parties to the Consent Decree, the OAG and the City, also entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with certain community organizations that have established a broad-based community coalition committed to monitoring, enforcing, and educating the community about the Consent Decree.

    The OAG and the City then sought proposals for an Independent Monitoring Team after posting a draft Consent Decree on the Chicago Police Consent Decree website. In October 2018, Judge Dow received public feedback on the proposed Consent Decree through written comments and two days of public fairness hearings. Judge Dow approved and signed the Consent Decree on January 31, 2019. The Consent Decree requires actions by the CPD and many other City entities.

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    Dont Ignore The Seriousness Of A Car Crash

    Even if you have no visible injuries or think you escaped with only minor cuts and scrapes, still visit a doctor as soon as possible. Due to shock, you may not realize that you have suffered a serious back, neck, head, organ or other injury. Tell your doctor what happened and make sure you are thoroughly examined. Follow your doctors recommended treatment plan.

    And Know Who And What Caused The Accident

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    Add Your AnswerI live in Ontario, Canada. I was rear ended with minor damage to the car and the lady who hit me asked not to go to insurance. Now she is refusing to pay or deal with me. What are my options? Can I go to insurance at this point?
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