Though it may be uncomfortable to speak with the person you just got into an accident with, it is pertinent that you do so. After all, if you leave without giving them your information, they may accuse you of fleeing the scene. This may come with criminal consequences, especially if you caused property damage, injury, or death to the involved parties. With that said, please continue reading to learn how to exchange information with the other driver and how an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help you use this information productively.
How do I exchange information with the other driver after my accident?
Exchanging information with the other driver may be simpler than you initially anticipate. These are all things you should know off the top of your head, or you can easily find them in your vehicle or wallet. Namely, you must share your full legal name and contact information, such as your phone number, email address, and mailing address. Then, your driver’s license number and license plate number. Confirm the make, model, color, and year of your vehicle. Lastly, provide your auto insurance company name and policy number. Importantly, ask the other driver to relay the same information to you.
Should I wait for a law enforcement officer to arrive at the scene?
While your adrenaline may be at an all-time high in the immediate moments following your accident event, you must not do anything rash. That is, you should get your bearings and figure out whether exiting your vehicle to speak with the other driver is the safest option right at this instant. This may not be the wisest move if you cannot pull over your vehicle safely due to its incurred damage upon impact, and you are on a busy road with heavy oncoming traffic. Or, if you are in a great deal of pain and can assume you have serious injuries, in which making any sudden movements would only cause you to hurt yourself further.
In addition, you must consider the other driver’s current mental state. For example, they may have been driving erradictly in the seconds leading up to your collision. And so, they may be experiencing a bout of road rage and possibly have weapons stored in their vehicle. Or, they may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which is causing them to act dangerously. Given any of these possibilities, it is okay if you feel more comfortable waiting for a law enforcement officer to arrive at the accident scene before approaching the other driver. Here, the officer may record the driver’s information on your behalf and share it with you alongside a copy of the official accident report they wrote.
To conclude, a skilled Tampa auto accident lawyer from Merricks Law Group, P.A. is willing to offer further clarification on this issue. So please do not hesitate to seek out our services. We look forward to helping you.
