Posted in General on August 11, 2025
A car accident is a frightening situation. It is common not to know what to do after one occurs. However, the steps you take after a car accident – including the information you obtain – can help determine if you will receive fair compensation. So, what information should you get after a car accident? Read on to find out how a Long Beach car accident lawyer can help you.
Ask for Contact and Identification Information
At the very minimum, you and the other driver must exchange contact information. This typically includes the following information:
- First and last name
- Address of residency
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle information, such as the make, model, and year of the car
- License plate number
This information helps identify you and them later. Keep in mind that taking a photo of both sides of a driver’s license is not enough. You also need to capture the vehicle identification information.
Insurance Information to Exchange
You also must exchange car insurance information. This should include:
- The insurance company’s name
- The insurance company’s phone number
- Policy number
- The term date, demonstrating that the insurance policy is current
This information allows you to contact the insurance company later to file a claim. Once you do that, you will receive a claim number that associates your accident and initial claim. Keep that number available to you for future needs.
Witness Information After an Accident
Any person who was present at the accident scene could be a valuable witness to you. You cannot force anyone to provide their information if that was not directly involved. However, politely ask them for their name, phone number, and address. This information can be extremely helpful when it comes to gathering evidence in the future.
If they are willing to do so, ask them what they saw and allow them to describe the accident to you. Record this if they allow you to do so. Most often, they will not.
Responding Police Officer Information
Ideally, a police officer comes to the scene of the accident and documents the evidence from it. Evidence from the car accident helps you demonstrate what occurred and will help encourage insurance companies to approve your claim. Before leaving the scene of the accident, ask the police officer for their name and how you can get a copy of the police report. You can also make sure the police officer has the same witness information that you have collected.
Photos and Videos of the Scene
Whenever it is possible and safe for you to do so, take photos of the accident scene. This includes the damage to all vehicles involved, debris on the roadway, the injuries you have, and the overall location. Use your phone to record a short video that shows the entire area, including the positioning of the vehicles involved, lights, weather conditions, or any other details that could prove who was at fault later.
This information can serve as a valuable resource for you down the road when you need to file a claim. Make sure to document all information and log it.
Work with Your Insurance Company to Get More Information
Having this information allows you to seek compensation for the damages. Your Long Beach personal injury attorney will help you gather any information that you were not able to obtain at the time of the accident and become your advocate in communicating with the insurance company.