Get Illinois Motorist Report Form

Get Illinois Motorist Report Form

The Illinois Motorist Report form is a crucial document that drivers must complete following a vehicle accident in Illinois. This form allows motorists to report details of the crash, including injuries and damages, to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) within ten days of the incident. It is essential to fill out this form accurately to comply with state law and avoid potential penalties.

For assistance in filling out the form, please click the button below.

Modify Form

The Illinois Motorist Report form serves a crucial role in documenting vehicle accidents within the state. Under Illinois law, drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 must submit a written report to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) within ten days. This requirement is designed to ensure that all incidents are officially recorded and investigated. In cases where a police officer is not present at the scene, drivers are obligated to notify local law enforcement or the nearest sheriff's office. The reporting process involves two primary forms: the Illinois Traffic Crash Report, completed by police, and the Illinois Motorist Report, which drivers must finish. After receiving a partially filled Motorist Report from the police, motorists are responsible for completing additional details, including information about injuries, vehicle repair estimates, and damage to property. Accurate completion of the form is vital, as missing or incorrect information can lead to assumptions about insurance coverage and potential legal consequences. Furthermore, drivers must submit the original report to IDOT and retain a copy for their records. In the event of a lost form, drivers should contact the investigating agency for assistance. The process is governed by specific regulations, ensuring that all necessary data is collected for traffic safety and legal purposes.

Document Breakdown

Fact Name Details
Reporting Requirement Drivers must report a crash resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 within 10 days.
Governing Law Illinois law mandates this under 625 ILCS 5/11-406.
Notification Process If no police officer is present, drivers must notify local police or the nearest sheriff's office.
Form Types Two forms are used: the Illinois Traffic Crash Report (Police Report) and the Illinois Motorist Report (Motorist Report).
Form Completion Motorists must complete the Motorist Report using black ink and provide all required information accurately.
False Information Penalty Providing false information can lead to a class C misdemeanor, a $500 fine, and up to 30 days in jail.
Submission Instructions Mail the completed form to IDOT, Crash Records Section, within 10 days of the crash.

Common PDF Forms

Misconceptions

Understanding the Illinois Motorist Report form is crucial for drivers involved in an accident. However, several misconceptions can lead to confusion. Here are some common myths and the truths behind them:

  • Myth 1: You only need to report a crash if there are serious injuries.
  • This is not true. In Illinois, any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 must be reported.

  • Myth 2: You can submit the Motorist Report form anytime after the accident.
  • Actually, you must submit the report within 10 days of the accident. Delaying this can lead to complications.

  • Myth 3: You don’t need to report minor accidents.
  • Even minor accidents with property damage over $1,500 require a report. It's better to be safe and report it.

  • Myth 4: The police will handle everything, so you don’t need to fill out the Motorist Report.
  • While police complete part of the report, drivers are responsible for filling out the Motorist Report and submitting it to IDOT.

  • Myth 5: You can leave fields blank if you don’t know the answers.
  • It’s important to fill in all fields. If you don’t know an answer, write “NK” for “not known.” Leaving fields blank can lead to assumptions about your insurance status.

  • Myth 6: You can submit a copy of the Motorist Report instead of the original.
  • The original report must be mailed to IDOT. Keep a copy for your records, but submit the original document.

  • Myth 7: You can obtain a copy of the crash report from IDOT.
  • Illinois law prevents IDOT from providing copies of crash reports. However, you can request a copy from the investigating agency, which may charge a small fee.

By understanding these misconceptions, drivers can navigate the reporting process more effectively and ensure compliance with Illinois law.

Example - Illinois Motorist Report Form

Motorist Crash Reporting Instructions

When should a crash be reported?

Illinois law: “The driver of a vehicle that is in any manner involved in an accident within this State, resulting in injury to or death of any person, or in which damage to the property of any one person, including himself, in excess of $1,500 (or $500 if any of the vehicles involved in the accident is subject to Section 7-601 but is not covered by a liability insurance policy in accordance with Section

7-601) is sustained, shall, as soon as possible but not later than 10 days after the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the Administrator.”

The Administrator is the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Division of Traffic Safety. (625 ILCS 5/11-406 Duty to report accident.)

Where should a crash be reported?

If a police officer does not arrive at the scene of the crash to investigate, the involved driver(s) shall “give notice of the accident by the fastest available means of communication to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality or otherwise to the nearest office of the county sheriff or nearest headquarters of the Illinois State Police.” (625 ILCS 5/11-407 Immediate notice of accident.)

How should a crash be reported?

Two forms are used to report crashes occurring in Illinois: the blue and white Illinois Traffic Crash Report form (Police Report) and the red and white Illinois Motorist Report form (Motorist Report). The forms start out as a three-part, carboned set. Most of the front page is completed by the police on the Police Report. This same information transfers through to two Motorist Reports. The police complete vital crash, driver, and vehicle information and provide a partially completed Motorist Report form to each driver. This allows the police to promptly clear the crash scene, quickly removing all parties from harm’s way. Motorists must then complete the remainder of the Motorist Report form and submit it to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Division of Traffic Safety within 10 days of the police investigation.

Motorist Report form

How should the Motorist Report be completed?

Using black ink, print legibly and complete all required fields as accurately and completely as possible. If unable to answer any question, mark “NK” for “not known.”

All fields related to motorist proof of insurance must be completed. Failure to provide insurance information will result in the assumption that the motorist does not have automobile liability insurance and may be subject to further application of the Safety Responsibility Law.

Provide clear and complete information about the following:

(1)The nature and extent of all injuries to persons in your vehicle. If a doctor’s statement of injury is immediately available, describe the injuries.

(2)Estimate of repair costs for your vehicle.

If you have an estimate from a body shop or garage, provide that cost. Otherwise, give your own careful estimate.

(3)Damage to property other than vehicles.

Describe the damage and give an estimate of the cost.

Use a second report form or a sheet of paper the same size to report additional vehicles, injured persons, witnesses, or any other information for which there is not sufficient space. Be sure to complete the diagram and narrative on the back of the form and detail all events that occurred.

Providing false information is a class C misdemeanor and can result in a $500 fine and a 30-day sentence.

Sign the report in the space provided in the lower left corner on the front of the report. Once all fields are completed on the front and back, make a copy of the report to keep for your personal records. Mail the original to:

Illinois Department of Transportation

Crash Records Section

1340 North 9th Street

Springfield, Illinois 62766-0001

If a form was not provided by the investigating agency, or if the form was lost, please contact the investigating agency and obtain the bar code number on the original Police Report. Then call IDOT at (217) 782-2575 to request a blank Motorist Report form. Enter the bar code number obtained from the investigating agency in the upper right corner on the blank form and complete the form as described above.

Illinois law does not allow IDOT to provide copies of crash reports or divulge any personal information related to a crash. The law also stipulates that investigating agencies MAY furnish copies of reports to anyone at a fee not to exceed $5 per copy.

If you have questions or comments regarding crash reporting, please call

(217)782-2575 or email IDOT at DOT.CRASHFORMS@illinois.gov.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Illinois Motorist Report form, it’s essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure your report is accurate and complete. Here’s a list of things you should and shouldn’t do:

  • Do use black ink and print legibly.
  • Do complete all required fields as accurately as possible.
  • Do mark “NK” for any question you cannot answer.
  • Do provide detailed information about injuries and damages.
  • Do include estimates from a body shop if available.
  • Do use additional sheets if you need more space for information.
  • Do complete the diagram and narrative on the back of the form.
  • Do sign the report in the designated area.
  • Do keep a copy of the completed report for your records.
  • Do mail the original report to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
  • Don’t leave any required fields blank.
  • Don’t provide false information; it can lead to penalties.
  • Don’t forget to include your proof of insurance information.
  • Don’t submit the report after the 10-day deadline.
  • Don’t use a different color ink.
  • Don’t forget to include the bar code number if you’re using a blank form.
  • Don’t hesitate to contact IDOT if you have questions.
  • Don’t assume you can get a copy of the crash report from IDOT.
  • Don’t ignore the importance of accuracy in your report.
  • Don’t forget to check your report for completeness before mailing it.

Illinois Motorist Report: Usage Instruction

After a motor vehicle accident in Illinois, it is essential to complete the Illinois Motorist Report form accurately and submit it to the Illinois Department of Transportation within ten days. This form collects vital information regarding the accident, including details about injuries, vehicle damage, and any other relevant circumstances. Following these steps will help ensure that you fill out the form correctly.

  1. Obtain the Illinois Motorist Report form. If you do not have a form, contact the investigating agency for a barcode number and request a blank form from IDOT.
  2. Using black ink, print legibly in all required fields. Complete all sections as accurately as possible.
  3. If you cannot answer a question, write “NK” for “not known.” Ensure that all insurance-related fields are filled out.
  4. Detail the nature and extent of any injuries sustained by individuals in your vehicle. If available, include a doctor’s statement regarding injuries.
  5. Estimate the repair costs for your vehicle. If you have an estimate from a body shop, include that; otherwise, provide your careful estimate.
  6. Describe any damage to property other than vehicles and provide an estimate of the cost of that damage.
  7. If necessary, use a second report form or an additional sheet of paper to include information about other vehicles, injured persons, witnesses, or any other details.
  8. Complete the diagram and narrative sections on the back of the form, detailing all events that occurred during the accident.
  9. Sign the report in the space provided in the lower left corner of the front page.
  10. Make a copy of the completed report for your personal records.
  11. Mail the original report to the following address:
    Illinois Department of Transportation
    Crash Records Section
    1340 North 9th Street
    Springfield, Illinois 62766-0001.