Rules of the Road

CHAPTER 7: TRAFFIC CRASHES

Many crashes can be avoided if drivers obey traffic laws. Drive defensively and in peak mental and physical condition.

Crash Checklist  |   Crash Reports  |   Unattended Vehicles  |   Leaving the Scene of a Crash  |   Safety Responsibility Law  |   Financial Responsibility Law  |   Crash Prevention Courses

Crash Checklist

If you are involved in or come upon a traffic accident:

• Stop your vehicle in a safe, well-lighted public place.
• Help an injured person if necessary or requested. First, protect the person from traffic, then cover the injured person for comfort and to avoid shock. Do not move an injured person unless absolutely necessary. Do not attempt to give first aid unless you have been trained in it. Call 911 immediately.
• Someone should warn other drivers, using flares if available.
• Ask all those involved for their names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers and license plate numbers.
• Notify the nearest police station as quickly as possible.

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Crash Reports

Regardless of fault, a crash report must be filed by the driver of a vehicle if the crash involves death, bodily injury or property damage over $500.

• Notify the police immediately. Many towns and cities require a report if a crash occurs within their limits. Therefore, if an officer is not at the scene of the crash, a report must be made at the nearest police station as soon as possible. If in a rural area, the county sheriff or Illinois State Police must be notified. If the driver is unable to make the report and there is a passenger, the passenger must make the report.
• A report also must be made to the Illinois Department of Transportation. This confidential report must be sent no later than 10 days after the crash. The form may be obtained from a police officer or automobile insurance agency.

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Unattended Vehicles

If you are involved in a crash that causes damage to an unattended vehicle (no driver or passenger is present) or other property:

• Stop your vehicle in an area away from traffic.
• Leave your name, address, phone number and license plate number on the vehicle or property if you cannot find the owner.
• Notify the police.
• Complete out all required crash reports. If you fail to report the crash, you may be fined up to $2,500 and given a jail sentence of up to one year.

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Leaving the Scene of a Crash

Leaving the scene of a crash is a very serious offense. This is especially true if someone is killed or injured. A driver convicted of leaving the scene of a crash may be fined up to $2,500 and given a jail sentence of up to one year. If a driver fails to report an accident for over 30 minutes after it occurred, he/she is subject to a fine of up to $25,000 and 1-3 years imprisonment. In these cases, the Secretary of State’s office is required to revoke your driver’s license if the crash results in death or personal injury. Also, your driving privileges will be suspended if there is more than $1,000 damage to a vehicle.

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Safety Responsibility Law

When you are involved in a crash that causes personal injury, the death of a person or more than $500 in damage to property, you must file a crash report. If you were at fault in the crash, you must also meet the requirements of the Safety Responsibility Law. This law requires you to be able to put up security (a guarantee of payment) if you do not have insurance coverage or another acceptable form of payment. The Illinois Department of Transportation determines the amount of the security. If you do not have insurance coverage or the required security, your driver’s license may be suspended until the case has been settled. The owner of the vehicle involved in the crash also may have his/her driver’s license and license plates/vehicle registration suspended. Driver’s license or registration privileges will remain suspended until the person provides proof of financial responsibility and maintains the insurance for a period of three years from the date the proof is first filed.

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Financial Responsibility Law

You are required to file proof of financial responsibility if any of the following apply:

• You receive an unsatisfied court judgment relating to a crash.
• You are suspended under the Safety Responsibility Law due to an uninsured crash.
• You receive court supervision for a mandatory insurance violation.
• You have been convicted of three or more mandatory insurance violations.

Proof of financial responsibility may include a certificate of insurance (SR22), a bond or a deposit of securities (such as stock certificates). The SR22 is filed directly with the Secretary of State by the insurance company. Through the SR22 process, the Secretary of State monitors insurance coverage for a period of time specified by law. Failure to renew insurance coverage or cancellation of insurance will result in a driver’s license suspension.

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Crash Prevention Courses

If you are age 55 or over, you may receive a reduction in your motor vehicle liability insurance if you successfully complete an 8-hour defensive driving course. Contact your insurance agent to determine the amount of the reduction. For information about courses in your area, visit www.aarp.org/drive.

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This edition of the Illinois Rules of the Road is as accurate as possible at the time of publication. The manual gives drivers information on obtaining a driver’s license, driver’s license laws, traffic safety issues and general information regarding Illinois traffic laws and ordinances. The language of the Illinois Compiled Statutes is condensed and paraphrased and does not cover every law or explain every possible situation that motorists may face while operating a motor vehicle. The manual also provides highway safety information not in the law. It is intended as a tool for drivers and should not be cited as a legal authority in court.