What Info to Exchange After a Car Accident in Scottsdale

It can be hard to stay focused after a car accident, especially when you’re worrying if you or someone else involved is injured. Once you’re sure that everyone’s okay, however, you need to exchange your information with the relevant parties. 

After a car accident in Scottsdale, you should exchange names, contact information, insurance details, driver’s license numbers, and vehicle information. Whether you end up needing a Scottsdale car accident attorney or not, knowing what information to collect after an accident can help simplify the claims process and strengthen any possible case.

Why Exchanging Information Is Critical

After an accident, you or the other parties involved may want to file insurance claims or pursue legal action. Neither of these steps is easy without information from the other driver. Exchanging information ensures all parties involved can move forward with confidence.

Furthermore, in Arizona, drivers are legally obliged to provide this information, as to get in an accident and not stop and share your information to the other driver is considered a felony.

Essential Information to Exchange at the Scene

As mentioned above, in Arizona, a driver is legally obligated to share information with drivers they have gotten into an accident with. The legally required information includes name, address, and registration number. Additionally, if requested, a driver must show the other driver their license.

Here’s a list of the information you should collect from the other driver if able:

• Full names and contact information: Obtain the first and last names of the driver, as well as their phone numbers and addresses.
• Driver’s license numbers: Ask to see the other driver’s license and copy down the number.
• Insurance information: Record the name of the other driver’s insurance company, the policy number, and the contact details for filing claims.
• Vehicle information: Write down the make, model, year, and license plate number of all vehicles involved.
•  Names and contact details of witnesses: If there are bystanders who witnessed the accident, their testimony could support your case, should there be one. Make sure you get their name and, if possible, two ways to contact them. Once they leave the scene of the accident, it will be important for you or your lawyer to speak with them again.

Documenting the Scene

While exchanging information is important, getting information from the scene of the accident is integral to protecting your rights and getting deserved compensation. You will lose the chance to get this data once everyone parts ways, so it’s important to get it right while you have the opportunity. Here’s what you can do:

• Take photos and videos: Capture the damage to all vehicles and the surrounding area, including road conditions, traffic signs, and any injuries sustained by you or the other people involved.
• Note the time and location: Record the exact time, date, and intersection where the accident occurred.

Reporting the Accident

If an accident results in injury, death, or significant property damage, Arizona law requires drivers report the incident to the police. In Scottsdale, you can call the Scottsdale Police Department or dial 911 for emergencies. 

Once officers arrive, they will create a police report, which will stand as the official record of the accident. This will be used by your insurance company and your attorney, if you hire one.

When to Involve an Attorney

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, consulting a personal injury attorney can help protect your rights. Car accidents are often civil cases in Scottsdale, but this doesn’t mean you don’t need someone in your corner. An experienced lawyer can help evaluate your case, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent you in court.

Gage Mathers Can Help

Exchanging the right information after a car accident is critical to protecting your rights and ensuring a smoother resolution to your case. If you keep your head straight, get the information you need from the other driver, and document the scene thoroughly, you can get an out of control situation headed in the right direction.

Worried about how you handled the situation? Need a lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve? Call Gage Mathers right away!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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