Can I still file a car insurance claim if I didn’t exchange information with the other driver at the scene of the accident?
Under state law, you must exchange information with the other driver to file a claim. However, circumstances may prevent exchanging information, including hit-and-run drivers. You can still file an insurance claim if you didn't exchange information with the other drivers at the scene of the accident if you have the right coverage.
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Angie Watts is a licensed real estate agent with Florida Executive Realty. Specializing in residential properties since 2015, Angie is a real estate writer who published a book educating homeowners on how to make the most money when they sell their homes. Her goal is to educate and empower both home buyers and sellers so they can have a stress-free shopping and/or selling process. She has studi...
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UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- All drivers involved in an auto accident have the legal obligation to stop and exchange information with the other driver(s)
- The required information to exchange is your full legal name, contact information (including your telephone number), driver’s license number, insurance information, and vehicle information (the year, make, model, and the last four digits of your vehicle identification number)
- Failure to provide information may result in a driver involved in an accident being charged with the crime of hit-and-run
It is helpful to know how to correctly handle a car accident. Ensure the people involved at the accident scene are safe and not in further harm’s way. Call 9-1-1. Give first aid. If you are not seriously injured, exchange information with the other driver(s) while you wait for the police to arrive.
What to Do When You’re Unable Exchange Insurance Information at the Scene of an Accident
Many extenuating circumstances may make the exchange of information not possible after a car accident.
Here are a few examples:
- Injuries: If you are injured in the accident, you may be taken to the hospital before exchanging information with the other driver(s). Or, you may be so occupied with giving first aid that there is no chance to exchange information.
- Vehicle Damage: The car(s) may have so much damage that it is impossible to access the information in the vehicle.
- Language: There may be a language barrier preventing those involved from communicating.
- Physical Threat: If you are threatened with harm by another person at the accident scene, you should not attempt to exchange information and instead wait for the police to arrive.
No harm is done if the circumstances make it impossible for a reasonable person to exchange information after an accident. However, if someone involved in an accident intentionally refuses to exchange information or flees the scene, they will be blamed for not following the law.
Exchanging Information After an Accident
Suppose you wake up in a hospital after suffering injuries in an auto accident. Hopefully, you have insurance from the best personal injury protection (PIP) car insurance company. Under those circumstances, it is prudent to attempt to find out how to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident.
Getting a copy of the police report may provide the information you need to locate the other parties involved. Ensure you understand how to file a car insurance claim and the details required.
Seeking Legal Counsel
It is wise to seek competent legal counsel for any serious auto accident that involves injuries. The recommendation is to talk to a lawyer before speaking to anyone else.
Don’t talk with the other driver(s), an insurance adjuster, or the police. Your lawyer will handle those discussions and help you exchange information with the other parties.
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How No-Fault Car Insurance Applies when You Don’t Exchange Information with the Other Driver
If your state is a no-fault state, or if you carry optional no-fault insurance in other states, you can make an insurance claim for personal injuries without needing to exchange any information with the other driver(s) because your insurance is the one that will process the claim.
However, property damage is the at-fault driver’s responsibility, even in a no-fault state. Understand more about having full coverage car insurance.
You Can Still File a Car Insurance Claim if You Didn’t Exchange Information with the Other Driver at the Scene of the Accident
Even though there is a legal requirement to exchange information after an accident, you can still file a car insurance claim if you didn’t exchange information with the other driver at the scene of the accident.
It helps if you have PIP insurance or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to cover these claims if you cannot exchange information later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for not exchanging information at the accident scene?
If you do not have any reasonable circumstances that prevent you from exchanging information, failure to do so can get you charged with a crime.
What if the other driver(s) flee the scene?
If you cannot exchange information because the other driver(s) flees the accident scene, the driver running away may be charged with committing a hit-and-run crime.
In this case, you should inform the police what happened and hopefully give them the vehicle license plate number of the car that got away.
What happens if I hit an unoccupied car?
If there is no one to exchange information with after an accident, you should leave a note on the vehicle’s windshield, which gives your contact information.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
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Angie Watts
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Angie Watts is a licensed real estate agent with Florida Executive Realty. Specializing in residential properties since 2015, Angie is a real estate writer who published a book educating homeowners on how to make the most money when they sell their homes. Her goal is to educate and empower both home buyers and sellers so they can have a stress-free shopping and/or selling process. She has studi...
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.