In the immediate aftermath of a serious car accident, your health and safety should be your top priority. However, once you've received proper medical care, you'll need to determine whether the other driver had bodily injury liability coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. This coverage helps ensure that you can recover damages for any injuries you sustained.
Unfortunately, not all drivers carry this important protection, so you'll need to do some investigating. By following a few key steps, you can find out if the other driver had bodily injury insurance and determine your options for pursuing a personal injury claim. Talking with a Car Accident Lawyer can he helpful. Knowing this information early on will help give you peace of mind so you can focus on your recovery.
Check the Other Driver’s Insurance Card
To determine if the at-fault driver who hit you has bodily injury liability coverage, you will need to obtain their insurance information. The easiest way to do this is by requesting to see their insurance card at the scene of the accident.
Check the Other Driver’s Insurance Card
When exchanging information with the other driver, politely ask to see their auto insurance card. Review the card to find the insurance provider’s name and the policy number. Also check that the card lists “bodily injury” coverage and note the coverage limits, which are shown as two numbers, for example, “25/50.” The first number is the coverage limit per person for injuries, and the second is the total coverage limit per accident.
If the at-fault driver cannot provide an insurance card at the scene, request their insurance company’s name, policy number, and coverage details. You will need this information to determine if they carry bodily injury coverage and the limits of their policy. It is best to obtain the other driver’s full name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, vehicle make and model as well for your insurance claim.
Once you have the necessary information, contact the other driver’s insurance provider to verify they have active bodily injury coverage for the date of the accident. Explain that you were involved in an accident with their insured driver and need to confirm coverage details. Provide the policy number to ensure you obtain the correct information.
Knowing the specifics of the other driver’s bodily injury coverage is important for pursuing fair compensation for any injuries you sustained. Their insurance is primarily responsible for paying for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages in an accident they caused.
Contact the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Directly
To determine if the at-fault driver who caused your accident has bodily injury liability coverage, you will need to contact their insurance company directly.
Call the at-fault driver's insurance company and provide them with details of the accident, including the claim number if you have already filed a claim with them. Ask the representative if the at-fault driver's policy includes bodily injury liability coverage and the limits of said coverage. Bodily injury liability coverage helps pay for medical bills and other losses for people injured in an accident.
In some cases, the at-fault driver's insurance company may not provide you with definitive information over the phone regarding coverage and limits. They may require you to provide additional details about the accident and injuries in writing before they disclose policy limits. It is critical that you send a demand letter to the at-fault driver's insurance company as soon as possible after the accident.
A demand letter should include details such as date and location of loss, circumstances surrounding the accident, nature and extent of injuries, and amount of damages. Be sure to include medical records and bills to support your demand. The at-fault driver's insurance company will review this information to investigate fault and evaluate your claim. They should then respond with a determination of liability and available policy limits.
If the at-fault driver does not have sufficient bodily injury liability coverage, or none at all, you may need to pursue legal options to recover damages. Speaking with a personal injury attorney is recommended to understand your rights and determine next steps. With the right approach, you can obtain fair compensation for your injuries.
Check Public Records for the Other Driver’s Insurance Information
To determine if the other driver involved in your accident has bodily injury insurance, you will need to do some investigating.
\n\n###Check Public Records for Insurance Information
The majority of states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to legally operate a vehicle. Liability insurance covers injuries and damages to others in an accident. You can search public records to find the other driver's insurance information, including:
- Insurance carrier: The company providing the policy. Major insurers include Geico, Progressive, State Farm, etc.
- Policy number: The unique ID number for that driver's specific insurance policy.
- Coverage limits: The maximum amount the policy will pay out for injuries (bodily injury coverage) and property damage. Minimum requirements vary by state but are typically 15/30/5 which means $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $5,000 for property damage.
- Policy effective and expiration dates: Ensure the policy was active at the time of your accident. Lapse in coverage means the driver was uninsured.
Public records can be searched on official state websites, and some private sites offer paid access to more detailed records. You may need to provide the other driver's name, address, driver's license number, vehicle make/model, and license plate number. The more details you can provide, the higher the likelihood of finding their insurance information.
If you are unable to locate insurance details for the other driver through public records, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance carrier. Your insurance company can then investigate further to determine if the other driver was insured at the time of the accident before deciding to subrogate and pursue reimbursement from them or their insurer.
Hire an Insurance Investigator to Track Down the Information
If you've been in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, their auto insurance policy should cover your medical bills and other losses. However, to get compensation, you first need to know if the other driver has bodily injury insurance and the details of their coverage. Here are steps you can take to obtain this information:
Hire an Insurance Investigator to Track Down the Information
An insurance investigator is a professional who specializes in obtaining insurance details. They can:
- Research the other driver's auto insurance company and policy number. Insurance companies are required to provide coverage details to those with a legal interest, such as accident victims seeking compensation.
- Check government databases to look for the other driver's insurance information if they did not provide it at the accident scene or are uncooperative. Most states require drivers to maintain minimum liability coverage to legally drive.
- Examine the details of the other driver's policy to determine their bodily injury coverage limits and if the policy was active on the date of your accident. Bodily injury coverage helps pay for medical bills and lost wages for those injured by the policyholder.
- Estimate the value of your claim based on your injuries and losses to see if the other driver's coverage may be sufficient. If not, you may need to file an underinsured motorist claim with your own auto insurance company.
- Provide the details they obtain to your personal injury attorney. Your attorney can then use this information to help build your claim, negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance companies, or take further legal action if needed.
While you may be able to contact insurance companies and check some public records yourself, an insurance investigator has the knowledge, skills, and experience to thoroughly explore all options and obtain the critical coverage details you need to properly handle your personal injury claim. Their services are often well worth the investment.
FAQ: What if I Can’t Find Proof of the Other Driver’s Insurance?
If you are unable to locate proof of the other driver’s insurance, there are a few steps you can take.
Contact the Other Driver Directly
You should try contacting the other driver directly to request their insurance information. Provide them details of the accident and ask them for their insurance carrier’s name and policy number. If they refuse or do not respond, you will need to take further action.
Contact the Police Department
The police likely responded to the scene of the accident. Contact them and request a copy of the official police report which should contain information on the other driver’s insurance. If the other driver provided insurance details to the police, they will be documented in the report. Be prepared to provide details of the incident in order to obtain the correct police report.
With some persistence, you have a good chance of locating the other driver’s insurance information through one of these methods. Do not delay, as insurance claims have deadlines, and evidence and witnesses’ memories can fade over time.
Contact Fletcher Law For Help With Your Car Wreck Case
If you have been in a car accident, it is important to determine if the other driver has bodily injury liability coverage. This coverage helps ensure you will receive compensation for any injuries sustained in the accident.
To find out if the other driver has bodily injury insurance, you will need to obtain a copy of their auto insurance policy declaration page. This page outlines the types and limits of coverage the driver has. Bodily injury liability coverage protects you if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
If the other driver does not provide you with this information or claims to not have insurance, do not panic. There are steps you can take:
- Contact your own auto insurance company and report the claim. Provide them with the other driver’s contact and vehicle information. Your insurance company can investigate and determine if the other driver has applicable coverage.
- Hire a personal injury attorney to help investigate the other driver’s insurance status. An attorney has resources to thoroughly check if any policies exist. They can also help ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
- Check with your state's department of motor vehicles to see if the other driver's vehicle registration requires mandatory minimum liability coverage. If so, the other driver should have a basic policy in place.
- Consider filing a lawsuit against the other driver to compel them to disclose their insurance information during the legal discovery process. While litigation should be a last resort, it may be necessary to protect your rights.
The aftermath of a car accident can be stressful and complicated. Do not hesitate to contact Fletcher Law for guidance through the process. Our experienced attorneys have the knowledge and skills to handle even the most complex car wreck cases. We will investigate thoroughly and fight aggressively to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.