Investigators, attorneys, and insurance companies will review police reports and traffic camera footage, interview witnesses, inspect vehicle damage, and evaluate medical records. In complex car crashes, accident reconstruction experts may also be brought in to determine exactly how the crash occurred. Understanding the timeline from the accident to the investigation can help you set realistic expectations and the legal steps to take to protect your rights.
What Happens During a Car Accident Investigation?
Every car crash investigation follows a specific process and protocol. Law enforcement, attorneys, and insurance companies need to collect evidence to determine fault. While each case is unique, the key steps in a car accident investigation are usually similar.
Initial Response & Gathering Evidence
The investigation begins the moment the Chicago Police Department arrives at the scene. Officers will secure the area, ensure everyone receives medical attention, and begin gathering evidence. They will take photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, injuries, and road conditions. This is a critical step in the investigation because the evidence collected at the scene forms the foundation of the entire investigation. If the crash is severe, traffic reconstruction experts might also be called to analyze the physics of the collision (speed, impact angle, momentum, and energy transfer to understand how the crash occurred and why damage or injuries happened).
Filing an Official Police Report
After gathering evidence and speaking to witnesses, the responding officer will write an Illinois Traffic Crash Report. This document outlines the details of the crash including date, time, weather conditions, and the officer’s initial assessment of fault. In Illinois, crash reports are usually available within 3 to 10 business days after an accident. More complex investigations, fatal accidents, or requests by mail can take two weeks or longer. To request a crash report, also go to the Chicago Police Department’s website and fill out their online form.
Witness Interviews
Witness testimony adds important context that physical evidence alone can lack. Officers interview drivers, any passengers, and bystanders, to understand how the accident happened. Insurance adjusters will conduct their own interviews, often reaching out to the drivers involved for recorded statements. Only talk to your insurance company and just state the facts. Don’t speculate or say anything that could make them think you were at-fault. The other party’s insurance company may try to contact you, but don’t talk to them because they could get you to say something that could later affect your settlement. This is why hiring Postman Law’s experienced Chicago car accident attorneys is important to protect your rights so we can deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
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What Can Delay a Car Crash Investigation in Chicago?
Several factors can cause an investigation timeline to go from a few weeks to several months.
Severity of the Car Accident
Severe crashes require a deeper investigation that can take longer than expected. Investigators usually look at vehicle maintenance records, cell phone logs, and potentially toxicology reports if impaired driving is suspected. If accident reconstruction teams need to build a 3D model of the crash, this can cause the investigation to extend to several months.
Multiple Parties Involved
When a crash involves three or more vehicles, who is at-fault becomes more complicated. Each driver has their own insurance company, and these companies will often dispute who is responsible for the accident. In some accidents, the other driver may be uninsured.
If a commercial vehicle was involved in the accident, this adds another layer of complexity. If you’re hit by an 18-wheeler, the company’s legal team and insurers get involved. They will conduct their own investigations to protect their best interests.
Your attorney will also investigate the accident by requesting medical records, video footage, pictures, the police report, and the black box, if you’re hit by a commercial truck.
Weather Conditions
Chicago winters are notoriously harsh due to snow, black ice, and heavy rain which cause serious hazards on the road. Investigators must determine if a driver was acting recklessly or if the weather made the crash unavoidable. Sorting out these details takes extra time and careful analysis.
Police Report & Insurance Backlogs
The Chicago Police Department handles hundreds of crash reports every single week. Due to administrative backlogs, it could take longer than expected just to get your official crash report processed and uploaded into the system.
Insurance companies often experience seasonal backlogs, especially during major winter storms when adjusters are inundated with hundreds of claims at once. Your claim might be sitting in an adjuster’s queue, potentially delaying the investigation and settlement process.
Why You Need a Chicago Car Accident Attorney After a Crash
If you’ve been in a car accident in Chicago, having an experienced attorney from Postman Law on your side is important to ensure your rights are protected and you receive a fair settlement. Navigating the claims process alone can be overwhelming when dealing with insurance companies and disputed fault as you’re trying to recover. Our Chicago car accident attorneys will start investigating the crash right away, gather key evidence, and handle negotiations with insurance companies. Postman Law is dedicated to fighting for your rights, keeping you updated every step of the way, and advocating for maximum compensation. Contact Postman Law 24/7 at 844-POSTMAN or by filling out our online form. Our Chicago personal injury law firm is located at 150 N. Riverside Plaza Suite 4100 Chicago, IL 60606 and our local phone number is: 312-561-9318.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance regarding your situation, consult a licensed attorney.