Car accidents can be emotionally exhausting, and this feeling can sometimes be compounded when others involved do not cooperate. Usually, out of fear of being at fault, other drivers may be resistant when prompted to exchange insurance information. However, the other party’s personal and insurance information is necessary to file an accident claim. If they refuse to provide these details after a collision, do not panic. There are alternative ways to obtain this information when the other driver is uncooperative following a Michigan car accident.
Immediately Contact the Police to Report the Accident
The police need to be called directly after the accident occurs. That is important because the police report will help your insurance company determine who is at fault. In the report, police record the specifics of the accident, such as:
- Where the accident occurred
- What time the accident occurred
- Contact information of drivers involved
- Road conditions
- Other contributing factors
Using this report, the other driver’s insurance company will determine which party was liable for causing the collision. When the police arrive at the scene, they can also help you acquire the insurance information you need if the other party is unwilling to cooperate.
Stay Calm While Waiting for Law Enforcement to Arrive
If the other driver does not cooperate with you while waiting for the police to arrive, the best thing to do is remain calm and not interact with anger or blame the other driver. That may escalate matters. Instead, it is best to try finding bystanders who witnessed the crash and start taking photos at the scene of the crash.
The police will gather certain details from the other driver since they cannot refuse to provide that information to the authorities. When they arrive, be sure to let them know the other party refuses to disclose insurance information with you. This way, they know to give you that information once they speak to the other driver.
Contact Your Car Insurance Company to File an Accident Claim
After getting the other driver’s insurance information from the police, you need to contact your insurance company to file a claim. Your insurance company will ask you for the other driver’s insurance information, and they will be the ones to reach out to them to determine who is at fault.
Determining who’s at fault usually involves the police report and other factors, such as witness reports and photos. At this stage, there may be pushback from either insurance company trying to protect their assets.
Assess Your Legal Options
If you were injured from the car accident, you might not receive a fair settlement from the other driver’s insurance. A car accident injury may involve extensive damages such as:
- Extended time off work
- Medical treatments
- Future medical treatments
- Pain and suffering
Should this happen to you, learn your legal options by contacting an experienced car accident lawyer. Even if your injuries are mild, they may worsen over time. Under Michigan’s statute of limitations, you have three years from the date of your accident to pursue damages in a personal injury claim. After that time has passed, you may lose the opportunity to seek compensation.
Seasoned car accident attorneys may help your odds of receiving a favorable settlement for your sustained car accident injuries. Generally, the other driver’s insurance company would rather make a fair settlement than go to court.
What If the Other Driver Was Uninsured?
You will need to check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers uninsured motorists. If it does, you will need to file an uninsured motorist (UM) claim. Alternatively, if the other driver has insurance, but it’s not enough to cover your damage and losses, you must file an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim.
If you do not have UM/UIM coverage with your insurance policy, your options are limited. Aside from filing a lawsuit, you will have to use collision coverage from your auto insurance policy. There are uninsured/underinsured accident lawyers that can help you with your UM/UIM claim. They can also help you with your overall insurance claim.
Contact Experienced Michigan Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident caused by another party who is unwilling to provide necessary insurance information, contact the Michigan Legal Center for help. With over twenty years of personal injury experience, our car accident attorneys can provide you with the knowledge and legal representation you need after suffering injuries because of another party’s negligence. To schedule a free consultation, complete a contact form or call (248) 886-8650.