When you are involved in an automobile accident, the first thing you usually want to know is whether the other party has liability insurance. This is one of the most important features of a personal injury accident because insurance companies are largely responsible for paying the damages incurred in a car crash.
Most individuals simply do not have the capital to pay the high costs associated with a car accident, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses. Therefore, when someone has insurance, the victim often turns to the insurance company to pay these costs.
Finding Out If The Other Personal Has Insurance
In most cases, those involved in accidents will offer their insurance information to the other driver. Most of us have been taught that if we are ever in an accident, we should produce our insurance card with the carrier’s information and policy number on it. However, even if the other person does not want to produce their insurance information, there are still ways to find out if the person is covered.
- Law enforcement. If law enforcement is involved in investigating the accident, they will ask for proof of insurance. It is possible, in some cases, that a driver can be detained if he or she does not have insurance, so most people will produce proof at this time.
- Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV is required to keep a record of insurance coverage on the cars that are registered in the state, so if the other driver did not produce proof of insurance, this may also be a good place to go. The DMV may release this information if the other driver is not forthcoming, but you may be required to file a formal request for the insurance evidence.
- Insurance companies. If you suspect that someone is insured by a particular company, you can call the company directly and ask. This often happens when someone claims they have insurance but do not have proof in their car or on their person. A simple call to the insurance company will often determine if the person was being honest.
What If I Am The Victim of a Car Accident?
If you are the victim of a car accident, it is extremely important to get the insurance information from the other driver if at all possible. It is likely that this insurance company will be paying your costs, so having good, accurate information is critical. However, the insurance company may be resistant to paying you, so finding an attorney who can represent your interests may be a good idea.
At Barber & Associates, we have been representing Alaska personal injury victims for many years. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you recover compensation from insurance companies and individuals after you have been the victim of a car accident. You may be able to collect payment for your medical bills, your lost wages, your other expenses and even your pain and suffering.
