What to Do If a Driver Won’t Give Insurance Information After a Crash
“Exchange insurance information.” It’s something all drivers know they’re supposed to do immediately following a car accident. As long as you’re not too injured to do so, you should always get the other driver’s insurance info, says Rand Spear, Philadelphia accident lawyer. But what happens if the other driver simply refuses to hand the information over? Is your car accident case a lost cause?
Not so fast. If another motorist refuses to disclose their insurance information, there are several steps you should take:
1. Don’t Get Into a Confrontation
The worst thing you can do is get involved in an altercation with the other driver. In many cases, people are upset and even angry after a collision. If the other driver is too agitated to hand over their insurance details, stay calm. Your safety should be your top priority. Don’t compromise it by insisting that the other driver disclose their insurance info.
If the other driver speeds off after the accident without stopping, do not chase after them in your vehicle. This puts you in an extremely dangerous situation that can lead to serious injuries. Let the police handle tracking down a hit and run driver. Pennsylvania law makes it illegal for motorists to leave the scene of a car accident involving injury or death. You can be sure the police will be vigilant about tracking down the person who fled the accident scene.
2. Contact the Police
As soon as you can safely do so, contact the police. Let them know that you’ve been in a car accident and that the other motorist refused to give you their insurance information.
3. Write Down the Car’s License Plate Number
You should also write down the other driver’s license plate number as soon as possible. If you delay, there’s a chance you could forget it. The police can use this information to quickly track and locate the other driver. The other motorist might not want to hand over their insurance information to you, but they won’t have any choice but to disclose it to the police.
Tip: If you have a smartphone, use your phone’s camera to snap a quick photo of the other driver’s license plate — just make sure you do so discreetly in the event the other driver is being belligerent or uncooperative.
4. Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Finally, you should call an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as you can. PA lawyer Rand Spear explains, “Experienced car accident attorneys know how to find defendants who try to sidestep their obligations. Your lawyer will work with you and the authorities to find the individual responsible for your accident.”
Contact a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Today
Have you been injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence? Don’t wait to speak to a personal injury lawyer about your case. Protect your rights by calling Philadelphia and New Jersey car accident lawyer Rand Spear today at 877-GET-RAND.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form