Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough without having to chase down details. Exchanging the right information on the spot is essential to protect your future rights to compensation.
Wondering which details to seek and provide in the case of a crash? Read on for everything you need to know.
Details to Exchange with the Other Driver(s)
Regardless of who is at fault, the other driver will need some key details from you and you from them.
- Full Name and Residential Address: Getting accurate names and addresses helps ensure the relevant insurers can be contacted.
- Driver's License Number: This makes verification easier for everyone involved.
- Vehicle Registration Number and Details: Include the car's make, model, and colour to make sure everything is correctly identified.
- Insurance Information: Ask for the insurer's name and policy number. If the other driver is uninsured, this is still incredibly important to note.
- Contact Details: Phone numbers and, if possible, email addresses can make any follow-up communication with the other party or their insurer much smoother.
Important Note: If the other driver isn't the vehicle's owner, you'll need the owner's contact details and name as well.
Gathering Photos and Videos
Photo and video footage can be instrumental in supporting your case in the event that you are trying to claim compensation. It helps to show the extent of any damage as well as how the incident took place.
Capture the scene of the accident, damage to all vehicles, and any relevant factors like road conditions or skid marks. These pieces of footage provide critical support later when assessing your claim.
Where possible, try to ensure you capture photos of the whole scene as well as close-up images to show the context. Capture photos that include the registration plates of the vehicles involved.
If you are lacking photo or video footage – for instance, if you don’t have a dash cam installed – it is always worth asking the other person or people involved for any footage they may have.
Collecting Witness Information
Witness statements can be incredibly helpful when making a claim or trying to verify the details of your accident.
If any pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers witnessed the accident, be sure to get their names and contact details. Their statements can be valuable support for your version of events. If any witness says they have dashcam footage, request a copy of that.
Take-Home Tips
- Stay calm: After ensuring everyone is safe, focus on getting accurate information rather than arguing about fault at the scene.
- Make your own notes: Write down as much as you remember about the accident as soon as possible while it's still fresh in your mind.
- Report to police: For serious accidents, or if the other driver refuses to exchange details, contacting the police is essential.
It's always a good idea to speak with a lawyer after an accident, especially if there are injuries involved. Having experienced legal support can protect your rights and ensure your claim starts off strong.
Smith’s Lawyers services clients risk-free across the whole of Queensland including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich and regional cities including Cairns, Toowoomba, and Townsville.
