Illinois · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Illinois: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

Illinois State Police says each driver must file a crash report if the crash caused a death, an injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured ($500 if any driver has no insurance). Drivers no longer send IDOT a written Motorist Report.

Damage that requires a report
$1,500
Your own report is due within
10 days
Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
Illinois State Police, Crash Reports

When to call the police in Illinois

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
Illinois State Police says each driver must file a crash report if the crash caused a death, an injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured ($500 if any driver has no insurance). If no officer comes to the scene, file a report with police as soon as possible, within 10 days. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
Damage amount
$1,500
Law
Illinois State Police, Crash Reports; 625 ILCS 5/11-407 (not re-read: ilga.gov unreachable)
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Illinois

Your own report
Drivers no longer send IDOT a written Motorist Report. Illinois State Police says that if no officer came to the scene of a reportable crash, you must file a crash report with police as soon as possible, within 10 days. For a single-vehicle, property-damage-only crash with no injuries on an Interstate, U.S. or Illinois route you can file it online with ISP; in the Chicago area you can file a Desk Report at listed locations.
Deadline for your report
10 days

How to get a copy of the crash report in Illinois

  • For crashes handled by Illinois State Police: buy a redacted copy online through ISP E-PAY (sent by e-mail), or mail a written request with a $5 check or money order to Illinois State Police, Patrol Records Unit (unredacted copies need a subpoena or court order, plus $20).
  • For crashes handled by city police or a sheriff, ask that agency. https://isp.illinois.gov/CrashReports

Illinois has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.

Step by step after a crash in Illinois

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Illinois law requires it. Illinois State Police says each driver must file a crash report if the crash caused a death, an injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured ($500 if any driver has no insurance).
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. Drivers no longer send IDOT a written Motorist Report.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. For crashes handled by Illinois State Police: buy a redacted copy online through ISP E-PAY (sent by e-mail), or mail a written request with a $5 check or money order to Illinois State Police, Patrol Records Unit (unredacted copies need a subpoena or court order, plus $20).
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Illinois

Questions about reporting a crash in Illinois

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Illinois?

Illinois State Police says each driver must file a crash report if the crash caused a death, an injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured ($500 if any driver has no insurance). If no officer comes to the scene, file a report with police as soon as possible, within 10 days. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.

How much damage has to be reported in Illinois?

Illinois State Police says each driver must file a crash report if the crash caused a death, an injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured ($500 if any driver has no insurance).

Do I have to file my own accident report in Illinois?

Drivers no longer send IDOT a written Motorist Report. Illinois State Police says that if no officer came to the scene of a reportable crash, you must file a crash report with police as soon as possible, within 10 days. For a single-vehicle, property-damage-only crash with no injuries on an Interstate, U.S. or Illinois route you can file it online with ISP; in the Chicago area you can file a Desk Report at listed locations.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Illinois?

For crashes handled by Illinois State Police: buy a redacted copy online through ISP E-PAY (sent by e-mail), or mail a written request with a $5 check or money order to Illinois State Police, Patrol Records Unit (unredacted copies need a subpoena or court order, plus $20). For crashes handled by city police or a sheriff, ask that agency. https://isp.illinois.gov/CrashReports

What is the deadline for an accident report in Illinois?

Illinois State Police says that if no officer came to the scene of a reportable crash, you must file a crash report with police as soon as possible, within 10 days.

More for Illinois drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.