What Info Do You Need from the Other Driver?

A serious car accident is stressful, and it's easy to be confused and out of sorts. That is why it is important to review the steps you should take after a car accident. One of them is to gather vital information from the other driver.

Below we discuss the critical information you need from the other driver, as well as other tips to follow after a car accident.

Information To Collect

After the car accident, you need to get the following information from the other driver or drivers involved in the accident:

• Name, address and telephone number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver's license and license plate number for each driver or owner of each vehicle in the accident
• If the name of the driver is different than the owner, determine what the relationship is and write down the name and address for each person.
• Get a written description of each vehicle, with information about make, model and color.

You also should note where the accident happened, the contact information for eyewitnesses and the name/badge number of police who came to the scene.

Collecting this information from drivers and others surrounding the accident will go a long way toward proving your claim, or lawsuit, if it comes to that.

There also are other important things to do after the car accident:

Stop Car and Get Out

Be certain that your car is not moving, shut off the engine, put it in park or set the parking brake. Take a minute to catch your breath. Before you exit the vehicle, make sure that it safe to do so; it is not unusual for someone in an accident to get out of the car and be struck by other vehicles. Don’t let it happen to you! If you have flares, put them behind your vehicle to alert other traffic.

Move To a Safe Location

If it is safe and you do not risk harm, move the vehicle out of traffic. Try to get the car at least to the shoulder of the road. But if the car cannot be moved due to traffic and/or damage, turn on your hazard lights to warn others that your vehicle is in the way.

Check on Others

Check on the safety and wellbeing of other drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Be sure that no one is seriously hurt. Most states require you to render aid if anyone has serious injuries. If there is any chance that someone is injured, call 911 right away.

Call Police

Even in a minor car crash, a police accident report can be critical when you need to deal with auto insurance companies and attorneys. Give your full cooperation to the police when they arrive, but do not admit blame. Also, do not blame others at the accident scene. Just let the police do their job; it is their opinion that matters the most, not the opinions of people involved in the crash. 

Document the Crash Scene

If you have a camera or smart phone, take as many pictures of the crash scene as you can. These will be very useful when you make an insurance claim. It is good to get close-up views of the accident damages and try to get some wide-angle shots that show the position of the various vehicles.

What To Do Before the Crash

All of the above will be very helpful after the accident to aid with your claim. But you also should follow the following tips to be prepared for accidents:

• Pack a car safety kit that includes a first aid kit, flares, camera, pen and paper, medications and flashlight.
• Have all critical documentation stored in a Zip Loc bag, such as ID, insurance company information, vehicle registration and healthcare plan information.
• Keep any loose items in the car in the glove box or center console to prevent further injury in an accident.

Following these tips will ensure you are well prepared in case of an accident. Talk to a personal injury attorney in your area for more information about legal options after a car accident.