How to file police report bicycle accident can be a stressful topic, but one that all cyclists must know. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 1,440 bicycle crashes reported in Chicago in 2023, but countless more injured cyclists may have failed to report their injuries to the Chicago Police Department.
A Chicago bike crash lawyer from our team can help you navigate the legal process, including filing an insurance claim.
Why You Need to File a Chicago Police Report After a Bicycle Accident
According to 625 ILCS 5/11-407, Illinois statute requires that drivers report a vehicle crash to the local police department or the Illinois State Police within ten days of the crash if there were significant injuries or property damage exceeding $1,500.
Who you should contact depends on where the accident occurred. Those on interstate highways or Illinois state roadways should be reported to the state police. However, those that happen in Chicago proper are the responsibility of the Chicago Police Department.
A police report is crucial evidence for an insurance claim, helping make a strong case that connects your injuries to the car accident. The insurance company may refuse to investigate claims that do not come with a traffic crash report. As such, you must call the police if you intend to take legal action.
When to Call 911 After a Bicycle Accident in Chicago
You should always call 911 if any of these circumstances apply to the vehicle crash:
- Accidents with any injuries, even minor ones
- Accidents involving a motor vehicle
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Car crashes causing significant property damage
- Accidents with disabled vehicles that obstruct traffic
Explain your specific location to the dispatcher, such as Cicero Avenue and Madison Street or near the Smart University of Art at the University of Chicago. The more specific you can be, the easier it will be for police to find you.
If this is a non-injury accident that only involves minor property damage, you can contact the non-emergency line to report it.
What to Do While Waiting for the Police to Arrive
Always stay at the accident scene until the police arrive. While there, take the following steps.
Prioritize Safety – Move out of the way of traffic and onto a sidewalk if possible. If this is a street with a protected bike lane, like Kinzie Street, for example, you may still be hit by another cyclist.
Check for Injuries – Attend to yourself and others as best as possible. Stay on the phone with a dispatcher who can provide first aid assistance.
Do Not Move Anything – Leave the bicycles and vehicles whenever possible. If you have to move them for safety, try to keep them as close to their original orientations as possible.
Gather Information – If the negligent driver stayed at the scene, get their insurance information, vehicle details, and contact information. You should also get contact information for any witnesses.
Document the Crash – Photos and videos of injuries or property damage can help your attorneys with their investigation.
Do Not Admit Fault – While you will need to provide details with the police, do not apologize or claim you were responsible. Your lawyer can investigate the accident and determine liability.
Interacting with the Responding Chicago Police Officers
It is essential that the bike accident report be as accurate as possible, meaning you must take care with your words when speaking to the police. Follow these steps to ensure that your side of the story is told.
Be Cooperative – Show respect and do not get aggressive with the police, even if you’re very upset.
Provide a Clear Account – Describe the accident to the best of your ability, including any contributing factors you noticed, like speeding.
Point Out Injuries – Even if you only have a scratch, this should be noted in the accident report.
Get the Officer’s Details – Ask the responding officer for his or her name, badge number, and report number.
Don’t Refuse Medical Care – The insurance company can claim you were not seriously injured if you refuse medical attention directly after the crash.
What if the Police Don’t Respond to the Scene?
In some cases, the Chicago Police Department will not respond to an accident. This can happen if the crash is on private property, such as a single-vehicle crash in a parking lot. Low-priority calls, like those with no injuries or minimal vehicle damage, may not get a response either.
Filing a Traffic Crash Report Online or In Person at a Police Station
The Chicago Police Department does not have an online crash-reporting application, but you can visit any local police department to begin a police report on the crash. Choose the one closest to the accident and come prepared with evidence, including the date, time, and exact location.
Obtaining a Copy of the Chicago Police Accident Report
The police report needs to be filed within a few business days, and you should always get a copy for your records. The insurance company and your lawyers will need this to begin investigating the car accident.
Online Requests Through the Chicago Police Department Website
You can get the crash report through the Chicago Police Department online portal. You must pay $6 for each report. To request, you should have the police report number (RD number) and the day the crash occurred. However, you can also use the first and last name of an involved person and the accident date if you don’t have the report number.
In-Person Requests at a Police Station
Reports that were submitted on paper or were filed before 2016 must be requested at the Chicago Police Department Records Customer Service Section, located at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653.
Service hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 1:30 pm, excluding public holidays. You can also call (312) 745-5130 during normal business hours.
Mail Requests
If you need to request a Chicago police report by mail, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to the Department of Revenue, City of Chicago. In your request, provide the police report number, accident date, and names of people involved.
The mailing address for the Chicago Police Department Records Division is Chicago Police Department, Attention Records Inquiry and Customer Service Section, Unit 163, 3510 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60653.
As police reports are public records, anyone can get them through a Freedom of Information Act request. However, sensitive information may have been removed from the report.
Understanding and Interpreting the Chicago Police Accident Report
The most important parts of a crash report include the narrative, diagram, fault determination, and witness information.
The narrative will include things like:
- Time and location
- Speed limits
- Weather conditions
- Traffic controls
- Estimated damage
You and your lawyer should review this carefully to check for potential errors. Look for incorrect times, locations, speed limits, or fault determinations, which must be corrected quickly.
For example, if you were on North Sheridan and the police claimed you were on the sidewalk, this is illegal according to §9-52-021 and would make you more liable, potentially risking your insurance claim.
What to Do if the Police Report is Inaccurate or Incomplete
You can call the police to request a correction. You should include evidence such as witness statements, photos, videos, or recordings. In most cases, the police will agree to amend it if necessary, but they may not always do so.
Why a Police Report is Important for Your Bicycle Accident Claim
A motor vehicle accident can lead to expensive medical bills and high lost wages; they cost cyclists about $789 million annually. You must recoup your losses through insurance claims.
A police report will help support your claim and make it easier to get compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance. This is especially true if the crash involved an uninsured vehicle or was a hit-and-run.
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