Inclement weather is upon us and that means more traffic accidents for drivers. The goal of any driver is to avoid crashes, but unfortunately this is not always possible. Accidents can be a stressful and traumatic experience, even for the most seasoned driver. The following are some general tips to help guide you through some important decisions to be made if you have been involved in a traffic crash.
First and foremost, you must never leave the scene of an accident unless you are advised by the police to do so. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offence that can result in incarceration, fines and possibly suspension of your driver’s license.
Stop and access the situation. Check yourself for injuries and the well-being of any passengers. If you are seriously injured do not try to move and wait for emergency personnel. Never attempt to move an injured person. Notify the police immediately and report any injures.
If your vehicles are drivable relocate to a safe place to avoid creating additional roadside hazards. The vehicles involved in the accident do not need to remain in the exact location where the accident occurred prior to police arrival.
When the police arrive on the scene, comply with requests for your driver’s license and insurance. Stick to the facts and advise the officer what happened.
In most cases the traffic crash report will be given to all parties involved at the scene. This will have all driver’s contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle and insurance information. Pay special attention to the report number as your insurance company will need this information.
Many drivers question whether to report minor accidents. Illinois law states an accident involving property damage less than $1,500 does not have to be reported to the police. However, if any vehicle involved in the accident is uninsured and there is more than $500 in property damage, the accident must be reported to the police. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to report all traffic accidents, no matter how minor.
All Illinois drivers must report an accident if the crash resulted in more than $1,500 in property damage, the death of a person or bodily injury.
Finally, if you have been involved in an accident, stay calm and try not to panic. Obviously, this is easier said than done, but panicking will only make things more complicated. Keeping a calm demeanor helps you stay in control of the situation.
Until next month… Stay aware and stay safe.
