How to Get a Car Accident Report in Illinois

If you've been involved in a car accident in Illinois, obtaining a copy of the crash report is crucial for your insurance claim and any potential legal proceedings. This guide will walk you through the steps of acquiring your Illinois traffic crash report.

When a Report is Required

In Illinois, drivers must file a crash report if the accident results in:

• Injury or death.
• Property damage exceeding $1,500 (if all drivers are insured).
• Property damage exceeding $500 (if any driver is uninsured).

If a police officer does not arrive at the scene to complete the report, the involved parties must file the report with the Illinois State Police within ten days of the incident. For more details on what to do after an accident, visit our Illinois Car Accident Claims page.

How to Obtain the Illinois Crash Report

The process of obtaining your car accident report in Illinois varies depending on which police agency responded to the accident. Here’s a detailed breakdown of where to go based on the agency involved:

Illinois State Police

If the Illinois State Police responded to your accident, you can obtain the crash report through the following methods:

1. Online Request: Visit the Illinois State Police crash report webpage and provide the necessary details. Pay the $5 fee using a credit or debit card.

2. Written Request: Mail a letter with the required details, a $5 check or money order payable to the Illinois State Police, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

   Illinois State Police Patrol Records Unit 801 South 7th Street, Suite 600-M Springfield, Illinois 62703

Chicago Police Department

For accidents handled by the Chicago Police Department, you can obtain the report as follows:

1. Online: Visit the Chicago Police Department crash report webpage, provide the necessary details, and pay a $6 fee.

2. In Person: Go to the Central Police Headquarters at 3510 S. Michigan Avenue, 1st Floor, Room 1043, Chicago, IL 60653.

3. By Mail: Send the required information and a $5 check or money order to:

   Chicago Police Department Records Inquiry and Customer Service Section, Unit 163 3510 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60653

Cook County Sheriff's Office

If your accident was managed by the Cook County Sheriff's Office, here’s how you can get your report:

1. Online: Visit the Cook County Sheriff's Department crash report webpage. Create an account and provide the necessary details.
2. In Person: Visit the Cook County Sheriff's Office at 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602.
3. By Email: Send the details of your accident to foia@cookcountyil.gov.

Local Police Departments

For accidents handled by other local police departments in Illinois:

1. Online: Many local police departments have their own websites where you can request crash reports. Visit the respective department’s website for specific instructions.
2. In Person or By Mail: Contact the local police department directly for their process on obtaining crash reports. Generally, you will need to provide the accident details, a small fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting by mail.

Understanding which agency responded to your accident is key to efficiently obtaining your crash report. This information is usually provided at the scene of the accident by the responding officer. If you are unsure, checking your copy of the accident report form or contacting the local law enforcement agency can provide clarification.

Police Agency	Method	Details
Illinois State Police	Online	Visit the Illinois State Police crash report webpage, enter the required details, and pay the $5 fee using a credit or debit card.
	By Mail	Write a letter including the necessary details and a $5 check or money order payable to the Illinois State Police. Mail to: Illinois State Police Patrol Records Unit 801 South 7th Street, Suite 600-M Springfield, Illinois 62703
Chicago Police Department	Online	Visit the Chicago Police Department crash report webpage, provide the necessary details, and pay a $6 fee.
	In Person	3510 S. Michigan Avenue, 1st Floor, Room 1043 Chicago, IL 60653
	By Mail	Send the required information and a $5 check or money order to: Chicago Police Department Records Inquiry and Customer Service Section, Unit 163 3510 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60653
Cook County Sheriff's Office	Online	Visit the Cook County Sheriff's Department crash report webpage, create an account, and provide the necessary details.
	In Person	50 W. Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602
	By Email	Send the details of your accident to foia@cookcountyil.gov.
Local Police Departments	Online, In Person or By Mail	Contact the local police department directly for their process on obtaining crash reports.

Free Crash Report Retrieval Service

At Maksimovich & Associates, P.C., we understand that dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming. Obtaining your crash report is a crucial step in processing insurance claims and potential legal actions, but it can also be a hassle. That's why we offer a FREE Crash Report Retrieval Service to help ease your burden. All you need to do is provide us with the necessary details by filling out our simple online form below.

How to Get Started

1. Fill Out Our Form: Visit our Free Crash Report Retrieval Form and enter the required details.
2. Submit Your Information: Once you’ve filled out the form, submit it to our team.
3. We Handle the Rest: Our legal team will take care of the entire retrieval process, ensuring that you receive your crash report promptly and without any hassle.