Illinois law generally requires you to stop and render aid after an accident involving your vehicle. Rendering aid means that you call the police or ask someone else at the scene to do so on your behalf. If it’s safe to do so, there are a number of actions that you can take while waiting for an officer to arrive.
Assess your physical condition
The first thing that you want to do after calling the police is to check for any obvious signs of an injury. It’s important to note that you are unlikely to know the true extent of your injuries until hours, days or weeks after the crash occurs. This is because your body has a variety of mechanisms that it uses to mask the true extent of your pain in the aftermath of a crash.
Collect evidence
The evidence that you collect at the crash scene could play a significant role in obtaining a favorable outcome in your motor vehicle accident case. At a minimum, you should take pictures of your car, the other driver’s car and any other relevant landmarks. You should also get a copy of the other driver’s insurance card. It is a good idea to get statements from anyone who saw the accident take place.
Seek treatment after being released from the scene
After being released from the scene by the officer overseeing it, it’s a good idea to seek medical treatment even if you only have minor injuries. Taking this step allows you to create a paper trail that makes it easier to prove that a car crash was the proximate cause of your injuries.
If you are hurt in a car crash caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. In some cases, multiple parties may be liable for damages in a motor vehicle wreck.
