After a car collision, you must exchange six pieces of information with the other driver. If you fail to do this, it can make it difficult to collect the monetary compensation you deserve if the other driver is determined to be the at-fault driver. If you work with a personal injury lawyer following your accident, you'll need to make sure to have the proper information from the wreck. The following are the pieces of information that you will need after a car accident:
1- The Driver's Name
This is essential information. If you fail to provide it, it will create difficulties for your case. As a matter of fact, one of the first questions your insurance company will ask you is if anyone else was involved in the collision and if there were any injuries.
2- Insurance
The insurance companies will be the ones charged with determining which driver is liable for the collision. You and the other driver must exchange insurance information so that your insurance companies can do their investigations. If you are going to be the one to file a claim against the other driver's insurance company, you are going to need this information.
3- License Plate Number
The other driver's license plate number may be important. You may need to learn additional information about the at-fault driver, and you can do this if you have the driver's license plate number. For example, the driver may not have his insurance information with him at the time of the collision, even though this is required by law. When you have the license plate number, your insurance company can find out the other driver's insurance information.
4- Contact Information
You will need to obtain the other driver's contact information, including the following:
- The driver's full name
- The driver's address
- The driver's phone number
- The driver's email address
- The driver's insurance information, including the insurance company's name and phone number, the policy number, and the expiration date on the policy
- The driver's vehicle details, including the make, model, and color
- The driver's license information, including the driver's license number and the date of issue
5- Vehicle Make and Model
Along with the make and model of the vehicle, you must also take down the car's color and the year. Noting the other driver's make and model makes it possible for your insurance company to definitively identify the vehicle that was involved in your collision. It avoids the possibility of the at-fault driver or the insurance company claiming that his or her vehicle was not the one that hit yours. The insurance company also needs to make a positive identification before the claims process can move forward. This is also information that the police may need to write a complete report.
6- Any Injuries
If there are any injuries, they must be addressed right away. If you are going to file a claim against the at-fault driver, you will need to present evidence that the crash is what caused your injuries. The medical personnel at the hospital will do this when you arrive for a checkup, and you will receive records that have been time-stamped. Then, the at-fault driver will not be able to deny that the collision caused your injuries.
