If you are involved in an auto accident, you know that part of the procedure is exchanging insurance details with the other driver. If the other driver is at-fault and refused to provide you with his or her insurance details, it can be a bit frustrating.
It isn’t something worth blowing your top over, though. You will get the details, so a personal injury claim can be pursued. There are several different options you can use to get the information that you need.
How to Get the Insurance Details
When the police come, they will complete an accident report. Since it is a legal requirement to have auto insurance in 48 of the 50 states, the officer will ask for proof of insurance. Those details are usually included on the accident report.
If a driver doesn’t have proof of insurance, he or she will be issued a citation, required to pay a fine, possibly face jail time or have their vehicle impounded depending on state laws, and be required to get proof of insurance and have a SR22 before they can drive again.
Also, when you notify your auto insurance carrier and they see that the other driver is at fault, they will contact the other driver or locate his or her insurance company to make sure they are aware of the situation. Car insurance companies have experience in tracking down such motorists.
Take down notes, such as the make and model of the vehicle, a description of the driver, and the license plate number. Take photos of the vehicles and of the crash scene.
All these details will help them track down the other driver and their insurance information.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim
If you have been involved in an accident in which the other driver was at fault, you will want to pursue a personal injury claim. Through the claim, you are holding the at fault party liable for their damages.
While the responding officer will complete an accident report that details what happened, and places preliminary fault, the auto insurance adjusters will also investigate, and they will try to determine if the accident report is correct or if there were other contributing factors to the crash.
Because of the complexity of such claims, you should consult with a personal injury attorney early on, so they can investigate and gather information while the crash is still fresh in the minds of witnesses and those who were involved.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in any auto accident, especially one where the at fault driver refuses to provide you with insurance information, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. Personal injury lawyers have investigators on their team who can help track down people.
There is nothing to lose because personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, so complete the Free Case Evaluation Form and get your claim on the right track before it is too late.
