Do I Have To Exchange Insurance Information After a Car Accident?

A hundred questions race through your mind in the hazy aftermath of an automobile wreck. A lot of those questions are about insurance and how you can get compensation for injuries and property damage.

In Texas, the people involved in a wreck are legally required to exchange insurance information. Sometimes, drivers refuse to hand over their information, thinking they’ll be able to escape fines and liability. But failing to exchange insurance information only complicates things.

If you leave the scene without exchanging information, you could be charged with a hit-and-run. You could face fines and jail time for leaving the accident scene.

What Are the Texas Rules About Exchanging Insurance Information After a Motor Vehicle Wreck?

Section 550.023 of the Texas Transportation Code specifies how information exchange works. The Code requires insurance information to be exchanged in any vehicle collision that results in property damage, injury or death.

Under the Code, the drivers must:

1. Give their name, address, vehicle registration number and insurance company name to anyone injured in the crash. This includes the driver(s) and any occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash.
2. Show their driver’s license to anyone described above.
3. Provide reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the collision. They could call 911, bring the injured person to a medical provider or make arrangements to transport them for medical attention.

If you strike an unoccupied vehicle and you can’t locate the owner, you should write down your information and leave it in a noticeable place on the unattended vehicle. For example, write a note and put it under the windshield wiper.

Gathering Driver’s License and Contact Information

Driver’s licenses provide most of the information you’re required to provide after a crash. You can take a photo of the other person’s driver’s license with your phone or write the information down.

While not specified in the law, you should also exchange cell phone numbers and email addresses. The more contact information you gather, the smoother your future legal claim may go.

Documenting Vehicle-Specific Information

Be sure to note the details of every vehicle involved in the incident. Write down the make, model, color and year of each vehicle. Also, write down each vehicle’s license plate, registration and vehicle identification number (VIN). If possible, take pictures of these items with your phone.

What if the Other Driver Refuses To Exchange Information?

Don’t argue with them. It only makes a heated situation hotter. Instead, make sure to let police know the other driver refused to provide the appropriate information. Turn the issue over to them to handle.

Get Legal Advice After a Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Wreck

If you have questions after a motor vehicle accident, or if you’ve been injured and need compensation, call Ted B. Lyon & Associates. Our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience handling insurance issues, settlements and trials involving car and truck wrecks across Texas.

Call 877-Ted-Lyon or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team today.