A scary accident can send you into a mad scramble to make sure you and your passengers are okay. Then your focus could turn to the driver who caused your accident. Do they have car insurance? What happens if they’re traveling without coverage? How will you get help with your injury costs?
Luckily, there are a few ways to find out if a driver has insurance coverage even if they aren’t being cooperative.
Securing Car Insurance Information in CA
Getting insurance information from the person who struck your car may be your number one goal after a collision. Without that information, or confirmation the driver has no coverage at all, your insurance claim can be delayed. The mystery insurance status could also delay the chance you have to get compensation to pay your medical costs and other losses.
Here are a few ways you can uncover auto insurance information after an accident:
- From an Investigating Officer – If one of the drivers or passengers involved in an accident calls 911, an officer will likely be responding to the scene. The officer will be completing an accident report on what happened. The other driver must show proof of insurance and that information should be passed on to you. The officer would also inform you if the other driver isn’t insured.
- Ask the Other Driver for Information – Under California Law, drivers don’t have to show you an insurance card. However, most motorists are okay with sharing their information with you. If you aren’t happy with the way an officer is handling a case, or if an officer isn’t on the scene you can try to collect information yourself. Take photos of the other person’s driver’s license and insurance card if they’ll share them.
- Request Information from the DMV – If you don’t get details from the other driver and won’t have a police report to fall back on you can try calling California’s Department of Motor Vehicles. By providing a license plate number or other information, the DMV may be able to point you in the right direction. The DMV isn’t always going to release this information, but if you can prove you’ve been the victim of a collision they will usually help.
- Call the Insurance Provider — Drivers may only provide you with their name and the name of their auto insurance provider. Perhaps they didn’t have the policy number with them or decided to stop sharing information with you. You should also be able to note a license plate number and make and model of the car. These details should be enough to allow an insurance agent to pull up a policy. The insurance agency may also allow you to file a claim even without the participation of the at-fault driver.
What to Do About Insurance Information After a Hit-And-Run
If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run you’ll want to remain right where you are if possible. Jot down any information you can about the vehicle that hit you if you saw it. Also, check nearby homes and businesses to see if anyone witnessed the collision. This is especially important if you were away from your vehicle when the crash occurred.
Call 911 and have officers come out. Their investigation may be the only chance you have of finding the culprit. Also, you’ll need their accident report as proof if you have to rely on your personal car insurance policy to seek support from your uninsured motorist coverage. This claim with your own insurer would be necessary if the responsible driver is never located.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer
If you are hurt by a careless driver and face battling another motorist’s insurance company or your own simply to get basic support as you recover, contact a local, experienced California Car Accident Attorney. Finding out what insurance provider an at-fault driver uses can be just half your battle. Once you file a claim, insurance agents will go to work trying to prove they owe you nothing at all.
Contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation that comes with no obligation to you. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that clients should work directly with their lawyers and be protected through each step of the claims process until they are on their feet again.
