You were in an accident, and to make things worse, you didn’t get the other driver’s information. Maybe this accident was a hit-and-run, where someone left the scene after a collision without stopping. Maybe you were flustered from the accident itself and simply forgot to ask for the other driver’s info. Or maybe the other party simply wouldn’t divulge anything!.
Regardless, the unfortunate fact is that the responsibility is now on you to fill in the missing pieces. Don’t worry, though. We’ll show you what to do if you didn’t get the right information after an accident.
Being in a car accident is a frightening and stressful experience. Your mind is racing, your emotions are high, and your body may be injured or in shock. Under these chaotic circumstances, it’s easy to make mistakes or overlook important steps. One common oversight is failing to collect the other driver’s insurance information at the scene.
Not having their policy details makes the claims process more challenging. But you still have options to pursue compensation, even without their insurance info in hand right away.
Why You Need the Other Driver’s Insurance Info
After any accident, obtaining the other motorist’s name, contact details, insurance company, and policy number should be a top priority. Here’s why their information is so vital:
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File a liability claim – You need their insurer’s contact information to open a third-party liability claim to cover damage costs they owe. Their insurer won’t communicate with you otherwise.
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Establish who to bill – Their insurance details clarify exactly who to invoice for repairs, medical treatment, and other accident-related expenses.
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Speed up processing – Having their insurance information allows the claims process to move faster for disbursing payment.
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Prove fault – Their insurer can advocate for their policyholder’s side of the story, Police reports also help establish fault,
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Avoid conflicts – Without concrete insurance details, the other driver could dispute who owes what after the fact.
So obtaining these specifics right away provides certainty on how to proceed with repair reimbursements, injury treatment, and vehicle replacements. But all is not lost if this step gets missed in the confusion after an accident. Here are tips on how to move forward.
File a Police Report on the Accident
Even without the other driver’s insurance card in hand, one essential task is to call the police to file an official accident report. The officer who responds will gather key details about all parties involved, including:
- Driver names, contact info, and insurance providers (if available)
- Make, model, and license plate numbers of each vehicle
- Direction each car was traveling and speed estimates
- Details on damage sustained by the vehicles and any injuries
- Contributing factors like weather, visibility, road conditions
- Any citations issued based on likely fault
Frequency of entities:
Police report: 4 times
Accident report: 2 times
Be sure to request a copy of the report for your records and claims process. Having an authoritative, objective report establishes evidence and fault. Insurance companies often request a copy of the police report before paying a claim as well.
Contact Your Insurance Carrier ASAP
You’ll also want to contact your own auto insurance provider right away, even without the other driver’s details handy yet. At a minimum, provide them with:
- Date, time, and location of accident
- Summary of damage to your vehicle
- Details on any injuries you sustained
- Other driver’s name and license plate/VIN if available
- Police report case number and responding officer’s details
This creates a claim file and gets your insurer working on your behalf to validate details and identify the at-fault party. Keep your insurance agent informed of any new facts you uncover related to the other motorist’s policy.
Frequency of entities:
Insurance carrier: 3 times
Insurance provider: 1 time
Insurer: 2 times
Review Your Policy to Understand Coverage
With your insurer notified, take time to review your own policy documentation in detail. Make sure you understand what coverages and benefits apply to your situation:
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Collision coverage – Pays to repair damage to your vehicle, minus your deductible amount.
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Rental reimbursement – Covers costs of a rental car while yours is in the shop.
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Medical payments – Reimburses out-of-pocket medical bills related to the accident.
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Lost wages – May compensate you for missed work due to accident-related injuries.
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Uninsured motorist – Provides coverage if the other driver lacks insurance.
Having full knowledge of what your policy includes gives you peace of mind on where to turn for immediate expenses while details with the other driver get sorted out.
Lean on Your Insurer’s Investigative Resources
Insurance companies have teams dedicated to investigating accident details and identifying drivers. Provide your insurer with every piece of evidence you have, which may include:
- Police report copy
- Photos of the vehicles and scene
- Eyewitness accounts
- Video footage, if available
- Paperwork from the hospital or repair shop
With permission, your insurer can access DMV records, hire investigators, and take other steps to confirm the at-fault motorist’s identity. The more info you supply, the faster they can sleuth out the other policyholder.
Frequency of entities:
Insurer: 1 time
Insurance companies: 1 time
Explore Legal Counsel for Severe Accidents
For major collisions involving extensive property damage, long-term injuries, or large medical bills, consulting an attorney is smart. Personal injury lawyers have experience negotiating with resistant drivers and insurers to obtain compensation you deserve. Their persuasive tactics may prompt an evasive driver to divulge policy information.
An attorney can also launch their own search for the at-fault motorist’s insurer by filing a lawsuit, subpoenaing phone records, and accessing other legal channels. For severe accidents, legal counsel provides an added layer of help.
Frequency of entities:
Personal injury lawyers: 1 time
Attorney: 2 times
File a Claim Against Your Own Policy
If exhaustive efforts fail to identify the other motorist or their insurer, file a claim against your own policy. This provides fallback protection to cover repairs or medical bills. Collision insurance and medical payments coverage are most relevant for damages and injuries.
Uninsured motorist property damage and bodily injury coverage also come into play if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance. While not the ideal payout source, your policy offers protection if details remain elusive.
Frequency of entities:
Collision insurance: 1 time
Medical payments coverage: 1 time
Uninsured motorist: 1 time
Explore Third Party Liability Options
In addition to the other driver, other parties may share fault for the accident. For example:
- Their employer, if they were driving for work
- A mechanic, for faulty car repairs
- A restaurant overserving alcohol to the driver
- The city, for a hazardous roadway
An attorney can help investigate these options if traditional auto liability coverage seems impossible to access.
Consider Small Claims Court
If you eventually confirm the other motorist’s identity but they still refuse to disclose insurance details, small claims court is an option. Here you can obtain a judgment requiring compensation without needing to hire a lawyer. The threat of garnished wages or other penalties may prompt reluctant parties to cooperate.
Apply Lessons Learned to Future Accidents
Any driver can overlook getting insurance information after an accident. Use the experience to develop better response habits for next time:
- Keep your insurer’s contact number in your phone and policy documents in your glovebox.
- Note down the other driver’s license plate immediately.
- Take photos of their insurance card and driver’s license.
- Install a dash cam to independently record accident details.
- Make a checklist of what to do after an accident for quick reference.
Being prepared with tools and knowledge helps avoid scrambling for policy details in the future.
Don’t Delay Taking Action
Time limits apply for insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits following accidents. Generally you have 1-3 years maximum before options expire. Work promptly through the steps outlined above before legal windows close.
Summary
Obtaining the other driver’s insurance information at the scene provides certainty on how to handle damages and injuries after an accident. But even lacking their details initially, you have options. Leverage your own policy, your insurer’s resources, police reports, witnesses, legal counsel, and court action to obtain the compensation you deserve. Just stay proactive and don’t delay pursuing evidence. With persistence and creativity, you can connect the dots.
Keep your cool and do your best to stay calm
Even if the other driver is angry, don’t stoop to their level. Anything you say or do can be used against you, even if there aren’t any other witnesses. If the other driver becomes belligerent, stay in your car with the windows rolled up.
We repeat that you should call the police no matter what, but especially if the other person won’t help you. They can intervene and get details you might not be able to get on your own. They can also help if the other driver decides to leave the scene.
Check for and speak with witnesses, if available
See if anyone around you saw the accident and would be willing to provide details. That person may have seen things you didn’t at the time, like which way the other car drove off in. Get their name and number in case the police or your insurance company need to get in touch with them.
It’s incredibly important to always call the police in the event of an accident. This is even more important if someone hits you and then drives away. You should call the police within 24 hours, but the earlier you do it, the better.
You should think of it like playing detective: you need to get accurate pictures of the scene of the crime and your car. But remember that you shouldn’t get out of your car if it’s still on the road or close to it. It’s very dangerous to be outside your car near traffic, so wait until you’re somewhere safe and/or the police have arrived. Take photos of the damage to your car, and anything in the surrounding area that might be evidence. Even small details can be important. Something like a photo of a paint transfer might help the police track down the offending vehicle.
Accident Law Group: What to do if you’re in an accident and the other driver doesn’t have insurance
FAQ
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