A car accident is hard enough to deal with when the other driver does everything she's supposed to do. Unfortunately, there are some motorists who will not cooperate after a car accident. They may refuse to provide insurance information, refuse to report the accident, or may even commit a hit-and-run.
The Other Motorist Won't Share Insurance Information
After an accident, a driver is only expected to reveal his name, vehicle information, and insurance information. If the other driver refuses to share her insurance information, remain calm, and simply call the police. A police officer needs to arrive at the scene of the accident anyway to write a report. Let the police officer know that the other motorist refused to share insurance information and ask for help. However, there are some municipalities that will not respond to an accident if there are no injuries.
If you are able to obtain the license plate number of the other driver, you may be able to track down her insurance information. This is especially helpful if the driver later chooses to drive away. Contact your own insurance provider as well and you will likely hear back from them within 24 hours.
Don't Forget to Report Your Accident
Reporting even a minor car accident will help you. The accident might turn out to be more severe than you expected and you might also suffer an injury that was not immediately apparent. The other motorist might encourage you to drive away after a minor accident but this may be simply because she doesn't have auto insurance. Instead, you'll want to report the accident and consider contacting an auto accident injury lawyer.
The Other Driver Refuses to Cooperate
If you were considered at fault for the accident, the other driver may file a claim with your insurance provider. However, she must cooperate with the insurance provider and must also respond to any defenses against the claim. Most insurance providers have a clause known as a "duty to cooperate." If the claimant does not cooperate, this can be used as grounds for the claim to be denied.
If you file a claim against the other driver, you aren't actually seeking benefits from the insurance provider. Instead, you are making a legal claim against the driver and the insurance provider is simply protecting the driver against your claim. They may choose to protect the other driver by denying your claim. Then, you will need to work with an auto accident injury firm like Borbi Clancy Patrizi, LLC to prove that you are entitled to the claim.
It isn't always easy to know how to move forward after something happens like a car accident, but the right people can guide you through the process. From talking with you about how you are feeling to helping you to file the appropriate paperwork, accident and personal injury attorneys make it easy to improve your life. If you are struggling after a car incident, don't feel like you are alone. Reach out to professionals to make sense of your financial situation and your vehicle repair. By making the right changes today, you can improve your entire future for the better.