After an accident, each driver involved will be under duress. Depending on the severity of the collision, the scene may be chaotic. Sometimes, this makes it difficult to remember to get contact and insurance information from the driver who caused the collision.
Despite how easy it may be to forget; it is important that you get the other driver’s information for several reasons. Below, we discuss the importance of exchanging information at the scene of an accident.
If you need help filing a claim after a collision, call our car crash lawyers in South Bend today. The initial consultation is free and there are no fees while we work on your case.
Is the Exchange of Information After a Crash Legally Required in Indiana?
There are certain legal requirements drivers must abide by after an accident in Indiana.
One of those requirements is giving their name, address, driver’s license and vehicle registration number to everyone involved in the collision.
Drivers are also required to provide proof of financial responsibility to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). In other words, all drivers must prove to the state that they carry insurance.
What if the Other Driver Refuses to Exchange Information After a Crash?
If the other driver, or drivers, involved in the collision refuse to provide you with the necessary information to file an insurance claim, you may need to get the police officer responding to the scene of the accident to help you.
The other driver’s refusal to provide necessary information could have negative consequences for him or her, as there are fines associated with not complying with state laws.
Why Should I Exchange Information With the Other Driver After a Crash?
Not only do you need to exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident because it is required by law, but also because it will help you in the process of recovering compensation for the damages you suffered.
Since Indiana is an at-fault state, you need the other driver’s name and insurance information to file a claim. You also need the person’s contact information in case you have any issues with the insurance information you were given.
If you do not have the contact information of the other driver and you need clarification on some of his or her details, having the person’s phone number or email could be extremely helpful to get the process resolved more quickly.
Otherwise, your attorney may have to dedicate valuable resources to finding out the information through other means. Depending on the type of missing information, this could take several weeks to confirm or recover.
Who Else Should I Exchange Information With After a Crash?
After an accident, it may be a good idea to speak with as many people who witnessed the collision as possible. If you can, get these people’s contact information.
Your attorney may be able to contact these individuals to see what they saw or remember from the accident. If one of these witnesses can corroborate your story of the other driver speeding or driving recklessly, this could be useful to your overall case against that driver.
Some people may want to ask the witnesses more questions about the crash, but it is usually a good idea to leave this type of questioning to your attorney. Simply ask for the person’s name, phone number or email address and pass that information along to your lawyer. He or she will know what questions to ask the witness and when.
What if My Injuries Prevented Me From Exchanging Information at the Crash Scene?
In some cases of severe accidents, the victim is rushed off to the hospital. He or she may not have an opportunity to get the contact information of anyone from the scene. This is when the police report will be useful.
If a major accident occurs, the police should respond to the scene, so you do not need to worry about a police report never having been filed.
Included in the police report should be the following:
- Driver’s license information of all parties involved
- Passenger information
- Insurance information
- Witness information
The police report may have the contact information of anyone who called 9-1-1 to report the accident but did not stop. This could be helpful, too.
If you had passengers in your vehicle who did not get taken to the hospital, it may also be a good idea for them to get the contact information of others involved in the collision, including any potential witnesses.
It is important to remember that you should only attempt to gather contact information from others when it is safe to do so and your own wellbeing is not in jeopardy. Otherwise, there are different methods your attorney can use to get what is needed for your claim.
We Are Ready to Help. Call Today
If you were injured in a crash, it is important that you exchange information with the at-fault driver. You should also get the contact information of any potential witnesses.
If you cannot do it yourself due to your injuries, your attorney may be able to get the necessary information from the police report.
Let our attorneys help you. We offer a free legal consultation to determine the options that may be available to you, and there are no fees while we work on your case.
Call (574) 444-0741 today to learn more.
