In a car accident, you and any other driver involved should exchange identification details and insurance company contact details. You should share this information with each other and with the police officers who arrive at the scene. Exchange only this information and avoid saying anything else until you speak to a personal injury lawyer.
Knowing what information you should exchange in a car accident is important. The information you share — and the information you keep to yourself — can play an important role in resolving your upcoming insurance claim or lawsuit. Consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you. The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC offers a free consultation to review your options.
The Importance of the Information You Exchange After a Car Accident
After moving your vehicles to the side of the road and ensuring everyone’s safety, call police and emergency medical assistance if needed. When the police arrive, exchange the required information. While exchanging information, do not:
- Create narratives
- Place blame for the crash
- Argue with the other driver
In addition, avoid posting anything relating to the accident on social media outlets. These remarks may seem innocent in the moment, but can be misunderstood, misinterpreted, or misconstrued later.
Exchange Driver’s License Information
According to Insurance Information Institute (III) guidelines, you should collect as much information as possible. After the accident, you and your attorney will need to contact the other driver, and exchanging driver’s license information also helps establish their identity. This information can avoid false claims of innocence that could be made later.
Driver’s license details can also be especially helpful if you were involved in a multi-vehicle collision. At a minimum, obtain the full name and address of the other drivers involved, especially if one or more of them is unlicensed.
Exchange Vehicle Details
The driver of the car involved in your accident might not be the owner of the vehicle. In addition to their personal details, make a note of the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). If your injuries do not prevent you from doing so, also jot down details about the car including:
- Make and model
- Color and size
- Points of impact
- Notable damage
Your police report will also contain many, if not all, of these same details and it helps to be as thorough as possible. Witnesses may have captured smartphone photos or videos that support your case. Exchange contact information with any witnesses who did so.
Exchange Insurance Provider Information
If the accident was the fault of another driver, they and their insurance provider are responsible for compensating you. Be sure to exchange the name and contact details of the insurance company and share it with your lawyer.
A personal injury lawyer will contact and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. Your lawyer can also help you seek compensation from your own insurance provider if:
- The at-fault driver fled the scene
- The at-fault driver was uninsured
- The at-fault driver was underinsured
The lawyer who represents you can help you navigate these circumstances and get the compensation you need and deserve.
Share Your Car Accident Report With a Personal Injury Lawyer
Your car accident report may contain more than merely contact information. It may also tell your car accident lawyer and the other driver’s representatives the following information about factors that contributed to the collision:
- Whether drugs or alcohol were involved
- Whether the other driver was cited for traffic violations
- Whether the driver was distracted
- Where each car was impacted in the collision
Your car accident report will also contain the names and observations of anyone who witnessed the accident. It can also be used to prove the date of the collision and ensure the filing deadline is met.
Share the Date of the Accident With Your Lawyer
The date of your accident is a critical piece of information that should be shared with your lawyer immediately. This will allow your lawyer to ensure your case complies with the statute of limitations in your state.
The statute of limitations is specific to each state and can change according to certain factors of the accident. The best way to understand it is to let a personal injury lawyer familiar with state and local law interpret it for you. A misinterpretation of the filing deadline could prevent you from collecting the compensation you are entitled to.
Review Your Car Accident With Our Consultation Team
If you or someone you love was involved in a car accident, our personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you are entitled to for the at-fault driver’s negligence. Find out what information should you exchange in a car accident and the role it plays in your accident by contacting our car accident team.
Call our case review team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC at (571) 229-1800 today.
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