An Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer Gives a Quick Guide on Key Information to Get From the At-Fault Party
Once you hire an Indianapolis car accident lawyer at Keller & Keller, we can guide you about the steps to take and mistakes to avoid in your accident case. But you won’t have a lawyer at the accident scene. We encourage you to read this guide to find out what information to gather if you are physically able to do so, and we invite you to contact us as soon as possible after your accident to learn more about your rights.
5 Pieces of Information to Get After an Accident
Since Indiana is an at-fault state, the one that is determined to be liable will pay damages. Minimum insurance requirements for the state must also be met. To help facilitate the process, the following five things are essential to request from the at-fault driver. These are the same details you can safely provide to the other party.
1. The At-Fault Party’s Full Name
This may seem simple, but emotions can run high after an accident, and sometimes critical details can be overlooked. It’s important to get the person’s full name (first and last) and verify the correct spelling.
2. Contact Information
Another seemingly simple piece of information that’s important to get correct is the person’s contact information. Get their phone number and confirm that the number is correct. Also, ask for the person’s physical address and email address.
3. Driver’s License Details
Anyone could provide a false name, but getting driver’s license details can help confirm that the person is who they say they are. This information should include the driver’s license number, issuing state, and expiration date.
4. Insurance Information
The insurance information is critical to get after an accident. Insurance companies often negotiate claims, and having complete insurance information can help your Indianapolis car accident lawyer begin working on a fair recovery for your damages. Insurance info should include the company, policy number, contact information for the agent or company, and the term date to ensure the policy is still in effect. The claim number can also be helpful information to obtain if the person has already contacted their insurance and has a claim number,
5. Vehicle Details
The basic information about the other driver’s vehicle, including make, model, color, year, and license plate number, may be important for your Indiana car accident case.
What Not to Discuss With the Other Driver After an Accident
While there are essential pieces of information to gather from the at-fault driver before filing a claim, there are also several things to avoid discussing to help protect your rights. Your Indianapolis car crash attorney can further advise you, but here are a few basics to keep in mind to avoid common mistakes:
- Do not discuss fault. Even when the other driver was clearly at fault, avoid discussing this with them. Stay polite and do not make accusations.
- Avoid discussing details of the crash itself. Sometimes, what people say can be misunderstood or taken out of context. Beyond the basic facts, it’s important not to talk about the details with the other driver and say something that could be perceived as admitting fault.
- Don’t discuss injuries. Whether you have been diagnosed with injuries at this point or not, it’s best not to reference them to the other driver. I
- Avoid making unofficial agreements. Don’t discuss settling the matter privately or going outside the proper procedures. An experienced Indianapolis car accident can help you understand and follow the correct legal steps to help ensure you get maximum compensation for damages and injuries.
What if the At-Fault Party Asks You Questions?
The exchange of information and any discussion after the accident should be polite and limited in scope. If the other driver asks you questions, remember:
- You are not legally required to discuss the details of the accident with the at-fault party
- To avoid making an official statement to the other party or their insurance adjustor.
- Avoid having your conversation recorded.
It’s generally best to avoid discussing the specifics of the accident.
If you’ve been injured in an Indiana car accident, we encourage you to contact Keller & Keller. Our results show we won’t stand down when fighting for a fair recovery. Hiring an experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer means we will walk you through the process step-by-step, from the tricky steps of handling questions from the at-fault party to gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and representing you in court if needed. Protect your rights with Keller & Keller on your side.
