Getting into a car accident in Los Angeles can be incredibly stressful. Things can become more complicated when someone else is to blame. In California, you have the right to demand compensation from anyone who contributed to your accident.
This often involves another driver. In many cases, you will seek compensation from another driver’s insurance company. This is why it is so important to identify the driver’s insurance carrier and policy information as soon as you can after an accident.
Here are ways to find another driver’s insurance information.
Accidents Where Parties Remained on the Scene
Check the Accident Report
Did your accident cause an injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000? If so, someone involved in the accident was legally obligated to report the crash to the DMV. This report, which is submitted on Form SR-1, contains a lot of information about the accident and parties involved. Insurance information for both parties must be included, whenever possible.
As a result, you can find important insurance information for another driver on the accident report. Since you were involved in the accident you are entitled to a copy. You can also request an additional copy at your local DMV.
Request a Copy of the Police Report
If you called police after your accident an officer should have arrived on the scene and completed a report. This report can contain a lot of valuable information, including insurance information for both parties. In fact, drivers are required to provide police with identification, vehicle registration, and valid insurance information. Call the police department that completed the report and request a copy.
Hit and Run Accidents in Los Angeles
Sometimes an at-fault driver will not remain at the scene of a crash. If this happens, it can be harder to recover relevant insurance information. Here’s what you should do.
Call Police and Report What You Can
It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident. Call police and tell them what has happened. Try to remember as much as you can about the other driver and vehicle (e.g., make, model, color, license plate details). Police will take this information and try to find the hit and run driver. Once the driver is located, you can get the insurance details you need.
Ask the DMV For Help
You may be surprised to learn that the DMV might be able to help you locate a hit and run driver. When you go to the DMV just explain that you’ve been injured by a hit and run driver. The clerk may be able to find a match using information you can provide about the driver and vehicle. If there’s a match, the DMV can offer insight about their insurance coverage.
Contact an Attorney for Help
Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys investigate accidents and injuries every day. We have connections with investigators and resources that may allow us to identify your hit and run driver.
Call the Insurance Company Directly
If the DMV or police were able to help you identify the hit and run driver, you can call their insurer on your own. Explain that one of their insured drivers has hurt you and that you would like to file a claim for damages. You’ll want to have the help of an experienced attorney when you confront the insurer. They will want verifiable proof that their insured driver is to blame.
For more information, call our law firm at (424) 248-2700 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.