If you are involved in an accident, it’s vital to gather adequate information before leaving the scene. This includes information about the other driver(s) involved.
According to Pennsylvania law, the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in an injury to/death of any person or damage to any of the cars involved/other property has a duty to give information and render aid upon request. With that said, there are a few things you should know about exchanging information with another driver.
Driver’s license information
You can request that the other driver give you their driver’s license so that you can obtain needed information. However, even though doing this allows you to write down details without difficulties while confirming the other driver’s identity, you may experience resistance. Sharing driver’s licenses and photographing them is often viewed as enabling potential identity theft. Thus, the other driver may be willing to exchange information with you but not hand you their driver’s license. If this happens, ask them to spell their full name, and to provide their contact details (phone number and address) and driver’s license number.
Vehicle information
You should also gather details about the other car, including its make, model, color and license plate number. Take pictures of the vehicle detailing such information. Consider taking these photos from different angles and get close-up shots as well.
Information relating to financial responsibility
Request that the other driver provide you with the name of their insurance company and policy information (policy number and expiration date). If possible, ask the other driver to give you their insurance card to make work more manageable. If they give you their insurance card, confirm if the information on the card matches the car. If not, find out the reason – the driver may have borrowed the vehicle.
Collecting adequate information after an accident can strengthen any claim for compensation that you may opt to file. Seeking legal guidance can be essential in helping you to get the information you need to proceed successfully.