- September 16, 2024
- Tucker Law
- Car Accident Lawsuits
Failing to exchange information after a car accident has both long-term and immediate consequences. After any crash, it’s a good idea to call a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. If you fail to exchange information with the other driver, it’s even more important to get a legal professional involved immediately. Taking the time to understand the legal implications you’re facing is a good first step in protecting yourself and your finances after a crash.
The Importance of Exchanging Information
Exchanging information after a car accident is a step you should never skip, even if you think you’re uninjured and the vehicle damage is minimal. In most car accidents, there is at least some level of vehicle damage. In other cases, car accident outcomes include severe injury or even death. Regardless of the level of damage, both drivers should always exchange basic contact information. This includes:
- Full name
- Address
- Insurance provider
- License plate number
- Phone number.
It’s also a good idea to make a note of the date, time, and location of the crash. If possible, take photos of the position of the vehicles as well as pictures of any vehicle damage and injuries. Without this basic contact information, you can’t file a claim with your insurance provider. That means you’re left paying out of pocket for vehicle repairs, medical bills, and any other costs associated with the accident.
Without the other driver’s contact information, you can’t file an insurance claim to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other accident costs.
Exchanging information also helps establish the facts of the accident. Without contact information, you have no way to make the other driver acknowledge that the accident took place. Even if police or a lawyer eventually manages to figure out the other driver’s identity, it can be extremely challenging to prove their involvement if they choose to deny that the accident took place. When you exchange contact information, it’s at least a form of proof that they were involved in the car accident, since you can show you have their personal information and know who their auto insurance provider is.
Did you fail to exchange information in an NYC car crash? Get help now. Call Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 to learn how we can help. You’ll get a free consultation and pay no fee unless we win.
Top Reasons for Not Exchanging Information After a Car Accident
Failing to obtain the other driver’s information after a crash can have serious legal implications. Unfortunately, this is a common mistake when there are no immediate consequences, such as visible injuries. Some of the most common reasons that drivers fail to exchange information at the scene of an accident include:
- Being removed from the scene via ambulance
- Being the victim of a hit-and-run
- Panicking and leaving the scene
- Underestimating the damage.
The first scenario is the easiest to rectify, as the police report should contain the information you need to locate the other driver. When the crash involves a hit-and-run, it’s essential to get a lawyer involved as soon as possible. Leaving the scene of a crash without rendering aid is a crime that comes with criminal penalties.
Perhaps the most common reason for not exchanging information is thinking that the damage was minor or there were no injuries. As individuals often find out, car accident injuries can have delayed symptoms that lead to costly medical issues and the need to recover insurance compensation.
What to Do if You Didn’t Exchange Information After a Crash
The reality is that sometimes drivers fail to exchange details after a crash. Whatever the reason, it’s important to know what to do if you didn’t exchange information necessary for filing an insurance claim.
First, take a moment to write down a detailed account of the accident. Memories fade quickly. The sooner you put down details in writing, the better. Make note of everything you can remember about the crash. This includes:
- Color, make, and model of the vehicle
- Full or partial license plate number
- Location, time, and date of the accident
- Details about how and why the crash happened.
Once you’ve taken the time to preserve the information you have, you should contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A car accident lawyer will be your best option for identifying the other driver. They can coordinate with law enforcement and use the New York DMV records to track down the other driver’s identity based on their vehicle information. A lawyer may also be able to obtain access to security camera and traffic camera footage from the area at the time and place of the accident. This might show the license plate of the other car, which will allow them to locate the driver.
Finally, even if the other driver can’t be identified, a lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation through your own insurance policy. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Unfortunately, a representative of your insurance company won’t always be forthcoming about how your policy can work to your advantage. It often takes a skilled car accident lawyer to get the most out of your policy.
Get Help Now From a Car Accident Lawyer
If you were involved in a car crash and failed to exchange information with the other driver, you need to call a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can use the information you have, like the vehicle make and model, to coordinate with the police, DMV, and other sources. Allowing a skilled lawyer to try to identify the driver and file a claim for you is the best way to move forward when you need to recover injury compensation but you don’t know the other driver’s identity.
Tucker Lawyers is a New York City personal injury firm. We have a reputation for obtaining impressive results in the field of car accident injury compensation. We encourage you to review our case results and client testimonials and then give us a call to discuss how we can help you track down the other driver and recover the injury compensation you need.
Do you need to recover NYC car crash compensation but you don’t know the other driver’s identity? Call Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 to schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]