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After an accident, getting the necessary information can help you have your car fixed, your injuries addressed, and your claim initiated more quickly. “Get the contact details of the other driver.” You always hear that advice following a vehicle accident. What does it mean, though? What information must you obtain? What happens if you don’t get all the necessary data while you’re on the scene? What information should you give following an accident? Find out more about exchanging insurance information following an accident below.
Following a car accident, ensure that you collect and provide the following details to the party(s) involved in the accident:
1. Contact Details
You need to know the name of the other driver before anything else. Remember that the individual operating the vehicle may be different from the person named on the insurance card, so don’t just rely on the name on the card. For example, it can be a friend or family member permitted by the owner to drive the vehicle. You must determine who was driving the vehicle before you can pursue a car accident claim.
There needs to be more than just names to identify the driver, especially if they are well-known or common names. Get the address of the other driver as well. Take note of the information on the other driver’s license or, at the very least, take a photo of it with your phone if you can.
It can be a mistake for some drivers to be more concerned with collecting the other driver’s phone number than their address and insurance information. You must file a claim with the driver’s insurance provider to receive the compensation you are entitled to. Throughout this process, you won’t be speaking with the driver directly.
There is always the possibility that the at-fault motorist will cease responding when it comes time for them to compensate you for your injuries if you make the mistake of attempting to resolve the situation with the other driver without involving the insurance company.
Unfortunately, this is how many innocent drivers end up getting burned. Furthermore, if all they have is the driver’s phone number, they might find it difficult to receive compensation for their injuries or even car repairs. Likewise, you should also readily share this information with the other driver.
2. Information on Insurance
Driving without insurance is against the law in Missouri. Therefore, the person who hit you ought to have produced documented evidence of insurance at the time of the accident. Request to see it.
It would be best if you wrote down the following:
● The number of the insurance policy
● The insurance company’s name
● Address of the insurer
● The policyholder’s name
● The start date for the policy
● Date of the policy’s expiration
3. Vehicle Details
Finally, make a note of the year, make, and model of the other driver’s vehicle and the VIN. Because the immediate aftermath of an accident may prevent you from remembering even the most basic information, it may be helpful to write down the license plate number and even the color of the car that struck you.
Your auto insurance card should contain the year, make, model, and VIN details to provide to the other party. Additionally, it will provide you with the auto insurance policy number for the vehicle. Provide the other party with your driver’s license information and contact information, but do not give the other party your social security number or admit any fault.
Do you recall which road you were traveling on when the collision occurred? Which city? How about the time of the crash? Which intersection is closest? What kind of damage did your car receive? The vehicle of the other driver?
You would be astonished by the number of accident victims unaware of this fundamental knowledge and how shocked they are to learn that they cannot respond to some of the initial inquiries made by an insurer or personal injury attorney. But after all, they are stunned at the moment of impact. These particulars can be challenging to observe or recall later.
After the crash, take a moment to write down the following to help yourself.
● City where the collision took place
● The highway(s) where the collision occurred
● The closest intersection and any additional markers
● The moment of contact
● How the collision occurred
● Anything you believe might be significant to describe the collision
● Damage to all involved vehicles, not just yours
● Take it a step further, and document the accident site and where the cars ended after the collision. Also, if anyone saw the crash, record their names, contact information, and remarks.
When the police arrive at the scene of the collision, they will record the information of both you and the other motorist and use it to compile a report of the incident. When you start pursuing a claim, that report will be essential.
Take down the name of the officer who responded to your accident, the department that sent them, and any report numbers they may have given you. It’s crucial that you know where to look and how to get a copy of the police report once it is finished.
Not all accidents involve a vehicle. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial that you acquire the evidence required to pursue a claim even if you were injured in a different kind of accident, such as a dog bite, slip, and fall, or workplace injury. Otherwise, you’ll never receive the payment you’re due.
Obtain information on the property owner, including the name, address, insurance company, and policy number of the person or business. Note any people who helped you after the accident or saw what happened (such as workers at a commercial site). Request a copy of any accident or incident reports that have been written.
This may seem like a lot to keep in mind and remember in the midst of an accident. What if you are physically unable to gather this information while still at the accident scene? What if something is missed?
Fortunately, you can frequently learn more details later. For example, the time and place of the collision, the people involved, and details about their vehicles and insurance will frequently be included in the police report.
Since a police report can take days or weeks to be completed, gathering as much information as possible is preferable. You shouldn’t wait long for auto repairs or to receive medical care for injuries.
However, if there is any information you are missing, hold on to hope. You can still get the guidance you need from a Missouri auto accident lawyer, such as the experienced attorneys at Goldblatt + Singer, the St. Louis Injury Law Firm, to decide what to do next and where to seek the information you require. In addition, if you have any questions about submitting your claim, call us for a free case evaluation. Call us today at (314) 888-1000 or contact us online to see what we can do to help you following an accident.