What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Chicago

Hit and run accidents happen when the at-fault driver intentionally leaves the scene of the collision without giving any details or assistance to the other driver. In the state of Illinois, it is illegal to flee from the scene of an accident, regardless of whether or not you were at fault.  

Let’s say an Illinois driver was in a Chicago accident, and they injured another person and damaged their car. They immediately fled the scene of the crash, and they didn’t leave any information with the other driver or responding police officers. In this situation, they can be found guilty of a felony and possibly lose their license.

Despite the high stakes of breaking these laws, hit-and-run accidents still occur frequently. In fact, according to Insurify, the state of Illinois has twice the national average for the number of drivers who have committed a hit and run. 

If you suffered injuries from a hit-and-run accident in Illinois, our personal injury attorneys are here to help you through this difficult time. We can help identify the other driver and hold them responsible for their negligence. Give us a call at (312) 578-9501 to schedule a free and no-obligation consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. Our team fights for people like you who have been hurt by someone else’s wrongdoing.  

Keep reading below to learn more about hit and run accidents in Illinois.

Were you involved in a hit-and-run accident in Illinois? Here’s what to do

When you’re in an accident, you typically get the name and contact information of the other parties involved in the collision. You also call the police to give a statement. But what about when the other driver leaves the scene, and there’s no other driver to get contact information from? 

For a hit-and-run accident, it’s important to call 911 first. When first responders arrive at the crash, give an official statement to the police and seek medical treatment if necessary. You will want to provide as much information as possible as to how the accident happened.

This will include the following:

• The license plate number of the other vehicle
• The vehicle’s make, model, and color 
• If there’s any damage to the vehicle, and where
• What direction the other driver was heading when they left the scene
• Date, time, location, and cause of the accident.

In addition to this information, you will want to see if there are any witnesses in the area who are able and willing to give statements on what they saw as well. Witness statements are especially helpful for the responding police officers. Any details will help them find the driver who hit you. 

What Illinois Law Says About Hit-and-Run Accidents 

In Illinois, a driver who is involved in a motor vehicle accident must safely pull over at, or as close to, the scene of the accident and remain there to report the accident, according to Illinois state law (625 ILCS 5/11-401). Should someone drive away from the scene of a minor accident, he or she is subject to being charged with a Class 4 felony, no matter whether they were the at-fault driver or victim. This criminal charge can involve a fine of up to $25,000, or even a sentence to state prison for up to 3 years.

If the accident results in personal injuries and someone flees the scene, they will be subject to a Class 2 felony, which will entail a possible fine of up to $25,000 and/or a sentence of up to 7 years in state prison.  If the hit-and-run accident causes the death of another individual and the surviving driver leaves, he or she may be charged with a Class 1 felony, which is once again a possible $25,000 fine and/or up to 15 years in Illinois state prison. 

Common Hit-and-Run Accident Injuries 

Victims in a hit-and-run crash often experience injuries. However, the severity of these injuries depends on how bad the crash was. Below are some of the common injuries resulting from a hit and run collision:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). TBIs happen when the brain hits the inside of the skull due to the force of impact. These brain injuries can resolve within months or have lasting effects on a patient. 
• Spinal Cord, Neck, and Back Injuries. The impact of the crash can severely damage the neck and back, especially the spinal cord. If the spinal cord is injured, it can result in partial to total paralysis. 
• Broken Bones. During a collision, the body will absorb the force of impact, which can easily lead to broken bones. Bones located in the legs and the pelvic bone are often broken. 
• Internal Injuries. If the body is forcefully thrown into an object or hit by flying debris during the crash, its internal organs may be damaged. If this happens, it can lead to internal bleeding, which requires immediate medical treatment.

Common Causes of Hit and Run Car Crashes 

There are several reasons that can contribute to a hit-and-run accident occurring. Here are the most common ones we’ve seen at our car accident law firm: 

• Distracted Driver. Whether it’s they’re looking at their phone, busy messing with their GPS, or dealing with other passengers in the car, driving without someone’s full attention on the road can lead to accidents since they won’t be fully thinking about what’s happening on the road in front of them.
• Driving Under the Influence. Those who have consumed alcohol or other substances before getting behind the wheel will have impaired decision-making and slower reaction times.
• Reckless Driving. Reckless driving can include speeding, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, failure to yield, or any other type of negligent driving behavior.

Are Hit-and-Run Accidents Covered by Insurance?

Illinois requires that drivers carry insurance in case they’re involved in a car accident. This insurance policy includes uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Most UM/UIM policies will cover hit-and-run crashes. The purpose of this policy is to cover your expenses, including medical bills and/or property damages, in the event that you’re injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault and the other driver doesn’t have insurance or has insufficient insurance. 

Please know that the amount you can recover from your UM/UIM policy is determined by the limits of your bodily injury coverage. 

Why Do Drivers Leave The Scene of a Car Accident?

There’s a multitude of reasons why a driver may decide to leave after causing an accident.  We’ve broken down some of the most common reasons below:

• The driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal substances. They don’t want a DUI.
• They are operating a work vehicle and don’t want their employer to know they were in an accident
• They aren’t licensed to drive the vehicle they’re operating. 
• The driver panics and they choose to flee when their “fight or flight” response kicks in.
• There are warrants out for the driver, or they have other unpaid tickets. They don’t want to be confronted by the police. 
• They have firearms or illegal substances in the vehicle. 

Injured in a Chicago Hit-and-Run Accident? We Can Help 

At Shannon Law Group, P.C., our Chicago auto accident lawyers have experience in helping folks who have suffered injuries after hit-and-run accidents. Our team of compassionate attorneys is here to help you get the compensation you need to move on with your life. We offer free and no-obligation consultations to victims of car accidents in Illinois.  Contact us today by either filling out the contact form on this page or giving us a call at (312) 578-9501.