When it comes to driving, everybody needs to be responsible at all times. Negligence, recklessness, or a brief moment of distraction can leave us shocked, confused, and suffering from injuries. Additionally, other drivers can be at fault for a car crash, and we’re left trying to pick up the pieces and wonder what’s the next step. In Florida, you need to gather important information about the other driver after an automobile accident, even if this seems like an impossible task at the moment. This information includes full name and contact information, phone numbers, insurance information, and more. You need to make sure you get all of the relevant details you need, which we will address in this blog post. Forgetting an important step might mean missing out on successfully pursuing legal action with an accident attorney if you’re injured. If you are injured in a car accident and live in the Clearwater, FL area, be sure to seek legal help from Reeder and Nussbaum P.A . With over forty years of combined experience, they’ll guide you through the process of receiving the right compensation.
Insurance Information
If you file a personal injury claim, you, your insurance company, and your accident lawyer will be communicating with the driver’s insurance company quite a bit. If you fail to take note of their insurance details, you might not be able to file a personal injury claim and receive the compensation you deserve. If you don’t know these important insurance details, the other driver can easily dodge your phone calls and be difficult to get a hold of. This makes it harder to file a personal injury claim. If the driver denies having insurance information on hand, this is technically illegal in Florida as drivers are supposed to have their insurance information while driving. Section 324.242(2) of the Florida Statutes states that the other driver can release their car insurance details to the other person involved in the crash, being you. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website, you can also share their insurance details with a representative of your own insurance company. Relevant car insurance information includes: ● The driver’s policy number. ● The name of the insurance company. ● The insurance company’s contact information.
Name of the Other Driver
Naturally, you will need to get the full name of the other driver. This one seems simple enough, right? It should be, but you need to make sure you don’t just jot down information from the driver’s insurance details. You should go the extra mile and confirm their full name. They could be insured under their spouse’s or another family member’s name, so if you’re only going by the information on their insurance card, you could be blaming the insurance holder for something that another driver is at fault for. This may seem overly precautious but simply double-check with the driver that their full name is the same name that is on their insurance card.
Contact Information
Be sure to take note of all other relevant contact information. This includes the driver’s phone numbers and current address. If the driver was not the car owner, ask for the car owner’s contact information, including their full name, address, and phone number. If the person behind the wheel is not the vehicle owner, you should also establish the driver’s relationship with the car owner. Is it their child, spouse, or even a friend borrowing their car? It’s possible the driver was not legally allowed to be using the vehicle. The best way to quickly note the driver’s address and name is for them to present their driver’s license at the scene. Law enforcement will also be there if injuries and damages are present and it’s not a minor fender-bender. If there is an officer at the accident, you and the other driver will both be able to show the responding officers your driver’s licenses.
Car Details and Other Information
You and the other driver should also exchange your license plate numbers. Not only that but exchange your driver’s license and vehicle registration numbers, as you have the right to request this information if the other driver is at fault. These numbers may be important down the line if you’re filing a personal injury claim or while communicating with your insurance company. In the devastating case you are the victim of a hit-and-run, try to remain as composed as possible. Drivers involved in a hit-and-run are required by law to stop their car and remain on the scene. The at-fault driver is also obligated to present important information at your request, as well as a police officer’s request. However, sometimes the other driver doesn’t stay at the scene, and it makes the situation much more difficult. The other driver may panic and leave you behind, but it’s important to try and note everything you can. This will help you pursue legal action in the future and help law enforcement catch the at-fault driver. After a hit-and-run, try to get a good look at the other car’s license plate number. Also, try to take a mental note the following: ● The type of vehicle ● The model and year ● The color of the vehicle ● Identifying features of the driver ● The other vehicle may also have damages after the car accident, so take note of where those are on the car. Of course, if you are injured, you may be disoriented and in shock. This is entirely understandable, but if you are physically able, you should attempt to note as many car and driver details as possible. Please keep in mind that you should not chase the vehicle or pursue it; you need to contact law enforcement immediately and stay at the scene.
Call Reeder and Nussbaum P.A. Today
If you experience a car accident at the hands of an irresponsible driver, you must get as much vital information from them as possible. That said, if you are injured, you also have the right to file a personal injury claim for financial compensation. You can easily arrange a free consultation with a lawyer at Reeder and Nussbaum P.A. This informational meeting will introduce how our firm cares about its clients and their needs. It will also help you understand the steps to filing a personal injury claim and the strategies Reeder and Nussbaum P.A. will use to get you what you deserve.