Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
The Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to register with the Illinois Secretary of State’s new “in case of emergency” database.
The database, which launched last month at www.cyberdriveillinois.com, allows authorities to contact relatives of an accident victim in a timely manner. While nobody likes to contemplate the likelihood of a serious or fatal accident, allowing law enforcement to immediately contact a family member could save your life.
In addition to confirming your identity and insurance information, a loved one can tell medical and law enforcement authorities about special medical conditions and provide other crucial information in the wake of a serious Chicago car accident.
Timely notification of a loved one will also allow them to immediately assist in collecting accident and insurance information regarding the accident, assist in making medical decisions on your behalf, and arrange representation with a Chicago car accident lawyer to protect your rights.
“Often it takes a considerable amount of effort and much-needed time (that) this program will reduce significantly,” Officer Jeffrey Stolzenburg, an accident investigator with the Libertyville Police Department, told the Chicago Tribune.
The program is open to all Illinois’ residents with a driver’s license, instruction permit or identification card and can greatly reduce delays in instances where the contact information on your driver’s license is not updated or law enforcement fails to reach anyone at your home.
Drivers are also encouraged to save a primary contact in case of emergencies under an “emergency contact” heading on your cell phone as law enforcement will often use an injury victim’s cell phone to reach relatives in an emergency.
The information in the state database will remain confidential and only be made available to law enforcement personnel.
Illinois joins Florida and Ohio as the only states to adopt the emergency contact database.
“Too many times (police) arrive on the scene of a horrific accident and they don’t know who to contact,” Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, told the Tribune.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free consultation.