In 2023, Illinois recorded nearly 300,000 motor vehicle crashes, one of the highest annual totals in recent years. These crashes resulted in 87,573 reported injuries statewide. The state also reported approximately 1,240 traffic fatalities, including about 1,142 fatal crashes during the year. The overall fatality rate was around 1.2 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles travelled, reflecting how frequently fatal crashes occur relative to total travel. Rear-end collisions were the most common type of injury crash in Illinois in 2023. Crashes involving motorcycles accounted for a notable share of fatal crashes, with motorcyclist deaths making up about 13.5% of all motor vehicle fatalities. Additionally, work zones experienced a significant number of incidents with more than 6,000 crashes reported in work zones, including 23 fatal crashes and over 1,500 injury crashes, according to the Illinois State Police.
In 2023, passenger cars were involved in approximately 419 fatalities, accounting for 34% of all traffic deaths across Illinois.
Motorcycle crashes led to about 172 fatalities (14%), continuing to represent a disproportionately high risk compared to other vehicle types.
Light trucks and SUVs contributed to around 341 fatalities, making up 27% of the statewide traffic death total.
Crashes involving buses or public transportation vehicles resulted in roughly 41 fatalities (3%), a relatively small share of overall deaths.
Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers were connected to about 22 fatalities, representing 2% of Illinois traffic fatalities.
Pedestrian deaths totalled approximately 199 fatalities (16%), underscoring continued safety challenges for people walking on Illinois roadways.
One of Illinois' deadliest highways, particularly in the Chicago metro area. Heavy congestion, frequent lane changes, speeding and aggressive driving contribute to a high number of serious and fatal crashes.
Running through Chicago and northern Illinois, I-90 experiences heavy commuter traffic, truck congestion and frequent multi-vehicle collisions.
A major corridor connecting Chicago to central and southern Illinois. High traffic volumes, construction zones and speeding make it one of the state's most dangerous roads.
Known for dense urban traffic, merging conflicts and high-speed crashes, especially through Chicago's south side and downtown corridors.
One of Illinois' most dangerous non-interstate highways due to numerous intersections, rural high-speed segments and a history of severe head-on and angle collisions.
Single vehicle fatal car accident occur in rural and downstate Illinois, particularly around Springfield and along rural highways.
of fatal car accidents in Illinois happen in rural areas.
Multiple vehicle fatal car accidents occur most frequently in the Chicago metropolitan area, especially on I-90, I-94, I-55, I-290 and I-80 where traffic congestion is highest.
of fatal car accidents in Illinois happen in urban areas.
A car accident can be overwhelming and stressful, even if it's minor. Knowing what steps to take immediately afterward can help protect your health, your legal rights, and your financial interests. Here are five essential things to do after an accident:
Your safety comes first. Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt. Even if injuries seem minor, it's important to get medical attention, as some symptoms may not appear right away. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic while waiting for help to arrive.
Always report the accident to the police. An official police report creates an objective record of what happened, which can be critical for insurance claims and legal matters. Cooperate with the officer, provide accurate information, and avoid admitting fault at the scene.
If it's safe to do so, gather as much information as possible. Take photos or videos of the vehicles, damage, license plates, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) and attempt getting contact details from any witnesses in the area.
Even if you feel fine, consider seeing a medical professional as soon as possible. Injuries such as whiplash, concussions, or soft-tissue damage can take hours or days to show symptoms.
Report the accident to your insurance provider promptly and provide them with accurate details. Stick to the facts and avoid speculation. Keep copies of all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, repair estimates, and correspondence with insurers.
The No Driving Without a Steering Wheel Law: In Illinois, it is explicitly illegal to operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway without a properly installed and functioning steering wheel. This seems like the most fundamentally obvious and absolutely necessary automotive safety requirement. The fact that the state made the effort to create this law illuminates the lawmaker’s determination to leave absolutely no ambiguity whatsoever about the minimum equipment requirements for legally operating a motor vehicle.
The No Driving a Car Without a Horn Law: In the city of Chicago, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway without a properly functioning horn. While the practical necessity of a functioning horn as a basic motor vehicle safety device seems entirely self-evident to most reasonable people, Chicago authorities were determined to ensure that every vehicle operating on Chicago's notoriously busy and chaotic public road network was equipped with a functional horn.
The No Driving a Car Through a Funeral Procession Law: Under Illinois Vehicle Code Section 11-1421, it is strictly illegal to drive through or interfere with a funeral procession on a public road or highway. Illinois takes this law very seriously and enforces it with significant penalties for drivers who fail to yield to funeral processions, reflecting the state's deep respect for its communities and the solemn and sacred nature of funeral processions on Illinois public roads. Cutting through a funeral cortege is not just deeply disrespectful; it is also explicitly against the law and subject to significant legal consequences.
The No Dumping Garbage on Highway Law: Under Vehicle Code (625, ILCS 5/11-1413), it is illegal to throw garbage or any other litter on a public road or highway. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency strictly prohibits this type of behaviour and the state will enforce the law by fining violators for each infraction.
The No Driving While Drowsy Law: In Illinois, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on a public road while in a state of extreme fatigue or drowsiness. This condition can significantly impair the driver's ability to safely control the vehicle. The state takes this law seriously and actively enforces it, recognizing the extraordinarily dangerous consequences of falling asleep at the wheel on public roads and the critical importance of ensuring that all Illinois drivers are sufficiently alert and attentive to safely operate a motor vehicle on Illinois public roads and highways.
The No Driving a Car with a Broken Windshield Law: In Illinois, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway with a windshield that is cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged in a way that significantly impairs the driver's forward visibility under Illinois Vehicle Code Section 12-503. Illinois law enforcement officers have the authority to pull over and cite drivers operating vehicles with damaged windshields that impair visibility. Drivers found operating vehicles with significantly damaged windshields can face fines and be required to repair their windshields before returning their vehicles to operation on any of the state’s public roads and highways.
Transporting and Possessing Roadkill Requirements: This is a somewhat unusual state law that basically restricts drivers from collecting and possessing roadkill unless they are a legal Illinois citizen that does not owe any outstanding child support.
The No Drag Racing Law: In the state of Illinois, participating in and organising drag racing on public roads and highways is explicitly forbidden. Under Illinois Vehicle Code Section 11-506, the state can place significant penalties, including substantial fines, mandatory license suspension, and potential vehicle impoundment, for drivers caught participating in illegal drag racing on Illinois public roads.
School Zone Speed Restrictions: In Illinois, drivers are legally required to reduce their speed to 20 mph in designated school zones during the hours of 6:30am and 4:00pm and any time when children are present on or near the roadway. Under this Illinois Vehicle Code Section 11-605 law, enforcement will impose serious fines that are significantly higher than standard speeding for violations that occur in active school zones during school hours or where children are present.
The No Spitting on a Public Bus Law: In the city of Chicago it is illegal to spit on a public bus or any other form of public transportation as well as at any public transportation station or stop. This Chicago municipal ordinance is meant to preserve basic common courtesy and aid in maintaining sanitary conditions in public areas.
The No Parking in Front of a Public Building Law: In the city of Chicago, it is illegal to park a motor vehicle in front of a public building entrance in a manner that blocks or impedes access to the building for pedestrians or emergency vehicles. Chicago takes its public building access parking laws very seriously and actively enforces them with significant fines for violators.