Being in an accident is never a fun experience. In addition to the physical pain and emotional trauma, it can also be a confusing and overwhelming time. There are so many things to think about and so many people to deal with, from insurance adjusters to medical professionals.
It’s important to be careful during this time, as there are a lot of people who will try to take advantage of you. Insurance companies will often try to lowball you on your settlement, while the other party may try to put you at fault. It’s important to be aware of these potential pitfalls and to have a clear plan for how to deal with them.
The first step is to always exchange information. Here are some of the details of what to exchange:
- Personal Details
You need to collect and exchange personal information with the other party involved in the accident. This includes your full name, contact numbers, residential addresses, and driver’s license numbers. This information is essential when filing a police report or insurance claim.
You will also need to get their details if the other party is not the vehicle owner. They may be driving someone else’s car, or you may have rented the vehicle. When you get to a point where you need to hire a car accident lawyer, make sure you share all the details with them. This will help them build a strong case that is well-informed.
- Insurance Information
How do you file an insurance claim if you don’t have the necessary insurance information? This is why it’s vital to get an exchange of your respective insurance details. This includes both insurers’ company names, policy numbers, and contact information. It also helps if you describe the car (make, model, year & color).
If the liable party does not have an insurance policy, you can still collect their contact information and will have to file an uninsured motorist claim.
- Vehicle Details
Before you drive away from the scene, ensure you get the details of both vehicles involved in the accident. Take down their license plate numbers, make and model, color, VINs, and other details that will help identify them quickly.
These details will also be useful when filing an insurance claim or police report. It’s crucial to get the other vehicle’s details if you do not have their insurance information.
- Witnesses
If there are any witnesses present, make sure to get their contact information as well. They can provide valuable information about what happened before, and during the accident, so it’s essential to get their statements. Talk to them to find out if they saw what happened, and ask them to write down a brief description of the incident.
If the witnesses cannot stay at the scene, ask for their contact information so that you can speak to them later.
- Police Report
Some states require you to contact the police before leaving the accident scene. The police will then complete an official accident report and provide a copy to both parties. This document is useful when filing your insurance claim, so ensure you get a copy of the report before leaving.
What if the Other Party is Not Willing to Exchange Information?
Some drivers may refuse to exchange details after an accident, even if they are the party at fault. If this happens, you should call the police so that they can investigate the scene and collect all necessary information. You can also contact your insurance provider and inform them of the situation.
It’s crucial to always exchange information after an accident, no matter how small it may seem. This is the only way to file a claim or get compensation for any damages incurred during the incident.
Collecting all necessary details is also critical in helping the police find out who is at fault and preventing further accidents in the future. The above information should help you understand what details to exchange with the other parties involved in an accident.