Following a car accident, laws in most states require drivers to exchange insurance information. With insurance details from the responsible party, you can submit an insurance claim to cover your medical expenses and other losses.
If a driver refuses to give insurance information, you could still submit a claim to your own insurance carrier or file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. A car accident lawyer could help you file your case, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
What Can You Do If the Other Party Refuses to Disclose Their Insurance Information?
There are several steps you can take to protect your legal right to compensation, even if the other driver will not give you their insurance details. You could:
File an Accident Report
Most states require a police report for any accident that causes significant property damage, injury, or death. Contact the police from the scene of the accident and wait for them to arrive. If the other driver refuses to provide insurance information, the police will likely take their details for the accident report. You can request a copy of this report from the police.
Document the Accident Details
Take photos or video of the accident scene, if possible. Photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, and other evidence of the collision can help with fault determination. You can also write down the details of the accident, including:
- The other vehicle’s make, model, and license plate number
- A description of the other driver
- Witness contact information
- A summary of how and when the accident occurred
- Damage to the vehicles and the surrounding area
- Description of your injuries
After you leave the accident scene, continue documenting your damages by compiling medical records, damage estimates, and other related evidence.
Inform Your Insurance Company of the Accident
No matter who is responsible for the accident, you should notify your insurance carrier. If the other party is insured, your insurance company may be able to obtain their insurance carrier information to recoup their losses for your injuries. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your insurance carrier may cover your losses within your policy limits if the at-fault driver does not have adequate insurance coverage.
Keep Your Statements Simple
Keep in mind that the insurance company is motivated to pay as little as possible, regardless of fault. You can protect your right to reasonable compensation by keeping your statements to the insurance company short and to the point. Avoid the following missteps:
- Claiming fault or laying blame
- Downplaying your injuries
- Discussing your previous medical history
- Posting about your accident on social media
Insurance companies often make their money by keeping payouts low, even if it is your own insurance carrier. You could benefit from working with an injury attorney with experience handling settlement negotiations and car accident claims.
Consider Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Whether you are seeking compensation through your insurance carrier or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party, a personal injury lawyer can help you. With a car accident lawyer on your case, you can rest and focus on recovering while they handle the legal footwork. A skilled car accident attorney can:
- Investigate the cause of your accident
- Compile evidence to prove fault
- Respond to calls, emails, and other correspondence about your case
- Determine whether the other party had insurance coverage
- File insurance claims with the appropriate carriers
- Negotiate a fair settlement with insurance representatives
- File a lawsuit against the responsible party or insurance carrier
A lawyer with experience handling motor vehicle accidents can guide you through the legal process and represent your interests in negotiations. If your case goes to trial, your attorney can attend hearings, cross-examine witnesses, file motions, accompany you to depositions, and advocate for you before a judge and jury.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
What Is Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is extra coverage above your liability and collision coverage. It is designed to cover your losses up to a certain limit when you are struck by a motorist with insufficient insurance coverage.
Every state has different legal requirements for uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage. Your insurance carrier may balk at paying out uninsured/underinsured claims if the at-fault party had liability or collision coverage that would apply to your claim.
A motor vehicle collision attorney can help you understand your insurance coverage and legal rights. They can represent you in negotiations and defend your right to fair compensation following a car crash.
Why do Drivers Refuse to Provide Insurance Information?
Most states have insurance, registration, inspection, and licensing requirements to operate a vehicle on roads within the state. The other driver may refuse to provide insurance information if:
- They do not have insurance coverage.
- Their insurance coverage is below the legal limit for the state where they are registered.
- Their vehicle registration is invalid or expired.
- They do not have a valid driver’s license.
- They were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- They do not want their insurance premium to increase.
- They do not have their insurance information on hand.
Regardless of the other driver’s reasoning, it is illegal in most states for drivers to leave the accident scene without exchanging contact details and insurance information.
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Are There Penalties for Refusing to Disclose Insurance Information?
In addition to facing civil legal action in the form of a personal injury lawsuit, the driver who refuses to share insurance details could face criminal charges. Most states require drivers to exchange insurance information when an accident occurs. Refusal to do so could result in fines and jail time.
If the driver leaves the scene of the accident without providing insurance information, they could also be charged for a hit-and-run in some states. Hit-and-run drivers often face serious criminal charges with significant penalties, especially if the accident caused injury or death.
Consult With a Skilled Car Accident Attorney at No Cost
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident, you deserve reasonable compensation from the responsible party. When a driver refuses to give insurance information at the scene of the accident, you can still pursue damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
The dedicated personal injury lawyers at the Morris Bart law firm have extensive experience handling motor vehicle collision cases in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Contact a personal injury lawyer at the Morris Bart law office to discuss your injury case during a no-obligation consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.