The First 72 Hours After a Car Accident in Illinois: A Practical Checklist

What you do in the first three days after a crash shapes your recovery, both medical and financial. This checklist covers the steps that matter most in Illinois and the common mistakes that cost injured people later.

At the scene

1. Get to safety and call 911. Illinois requires a crash to be reported when there is injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report creates a neutral record of who was there and what was said.
2. Photograph everything. Vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Take more photos than you think you need.
3. Exchange information, but do not discuss fault. Get the other driver's name, license, plate, and insurance. A simple "are you okay?" is fine. "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you" can be treated as an admission.
4. Collect witness names and phone numbers. Independent witnesses are the first thing to disappear.

The first 24 hours

• Get examined, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides injuries. Neck, back, and head injuries frequently surface a day or two later, and a gap in treatment is the first argument an insurer will make.
• Report the crash to your own insurer. Your policy requires prompt notice. Stick to the facts: where, when, who, and that you are seeking medical care.
• Write down what you remember. Speed, weather, what you saw, what the other driver said. Memory fades quickly.

Days two and three

• Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. You are not required to, and their adjuster's job is to limit what they pay.
• Do not accept an early settlement. Quick offers arrive before the full extent of injuries is known, and signing a release ends your claim permanently.
• Preserve evidence. Keep the damaged vehicle until it has been photographed and inspected. Save receipts, mileage to appointments, and time missed from work.
• Stay off social media. Posts and photos are routinely used to argue that an injured person is not really hurt.

Illinois rules worth knowing

• Comparative fault. Illinois uses modified comparative negligence. You can recover if you were less than 51 percent at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. This is why statements at the scene matter.
• Uninsured and underinsured drivers. Illinois requires liability coverage, but many drivers carry only the minimum or none at all. Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may be the most important part of your policy.
• Deadlines. The general limitations period for a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois is two years from the crash. Claims involving a city, county, or state vehicle can carry shorter notice requirements. Get advice early.

When to call an attorney

If anyone was injured, if fault is disputed, if a commercial truck or government vehicle was involved, or if an insurer is pressing for a statement or a quick settlement, talk with a lawyer before you respond. Brandenburg & Rees represents injured people throughout Central Illinois and the Metro East. Call (217) 854-2602 or request a consultation.

This article provides general information about Illinois law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Brandenburg & Rees, LLP. Laws change and every situation is different; consult an attorney about your specific circumstances.