Attorney
Under certain circumstances, drivers involved in a collision may fail to exchange information while they’re at the scene of the accident. Failing to exchange information is, however, a situation that should be avoided. The team at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP knows what happens if you don’t exchange information after an accident.
We’ll investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and protect your legal right to obtain compensation from the at-fault party.
Should You Be Concerned if You Don’t Exchange Information After a Vehicle Accident?
You could have cause for concern if you depart from an accident scene without exchanging information. In some cases, your departure could be considered a hit-and-run. Many states’ laws require you to exchange information and also contact the police when a vehicle accident occurs.
Depending on the circumstances and location, even a fender bender could lead to a hit-and-run charge or a temporary suspension of driving privileges. Unless you were injured and unable to do so, it’s in your best interests to try to exchange information with the other driver.
Failing to exchange information could also jeopardize your ability to recover damages for the cost of your accident-related medical bills and lost income. The at-fault driver could owe you a significant sum of financial compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages.
It’s not uncommon to feel shaken and high-strung in the minutes following a vehicle accident. If no one requires immediate medical attention and all vehicles are drivable, the general consensus among the involved parties might be to drive off without exchanging information. Keep in mind, however, what can happen if you don’t exchange information after an accident.
Unless an injury or an uncooperative driver prevents you, it’s worth the effort to gather as much information as you can. Whether the accident occurred in the Washington, D.C. area, Maryland, or Virginia, the information you gather at the scene can help move your case forward.
What Are the Most Important Details You Should Be Sure To Get at the Accident Scene?
If you’re involved in a collision, try to get all of the following information from any other involved drivers before you leave the scene of the accident:
- Full name, physical address, and contact numbers
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Insurance policy number and carrier
- Vehicle model, color, and year
There’s additional information you could get that could help win your case.
The names and numbers of any eyewitnesses along with the names and badge numbers of any responding officers could play an important role in your case.
Your cellphone’s camera can become a valuable tool at the accident scene. Take as many pictures as possible and record each vehicle’s damage and positioning. Record any other relevant issues, such as road hazards or debris.
What Should You Do if You Didn’t Exchange Information After an Accident?
If an accident causes you or your passengers any harm, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Considering what happens if you don’t exchange information after an accident, the skilled investigative team at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP may need to get to work quickly. Contact us today. There’s no fee for a case review and you’ll owe us nothing if we don’t win your case.