Driving without car insurance is against the law in Arizona and many other states. Yet this doesn’t stop hundreds of Arizonians from driving motor vehicles without insurance each day.
At the Stone Rose Law firm, our attorneys have extensive experience representing Arizona motorists who are unfortunate enough to get into an accident with someone who has no insurance or not enough insurance, including help to file a claim against an at-fault driver. Call us at (480) 498-8998 today to speak with an Arizona car accident attorney for a free initial consultation.
If you get into an accident with another driver, you need to find out if that driver has car insurance. Arizona is an at-fault car insurance state, which means that the at-fault driver should pay for your car accident using that driver’s liability insurance. Here’s how to obtain someone’s car insurance information to help you make an insurance claim.
Exchange as much information as possible with the other driver involved in your accident right away after the crash, including insurance details. Arizona law requires everyone involved in a car accident to stop at the scene and exchange information including proof of insurance.
Assuming that you were not involved in a hit-and-run accident and the other driver fled, write down the other driver’s contact information, including full name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, vehicle description, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
You should ask about the other driver’s car insurance company as well. The driver should give you his or her insurance policy number, but not all drivers are this forthright.
If the other driver refuses to give you his or her car insurance information, jot down as much as you can about the accident, the other driver, and the other vehicle to conduct a search later.
Keep in mind, however, that the driver may give you false information. It is important to call the police after an accident in Arizona so that a police officer can collect information for you for an accident report. The police can also issue a citation if an at-fault driver involved in your car accident is illegally driving without auto insurance.
A Phoenix car accident attorney may also help you determine your options for compensation following the crash.
If you cannot find out about the other driver’s insurance information directly from the driver, you can request this information from the police with a valid reason.
If you provide the license plate number of the other party, along with a police report, the police can locate the driver’s auto insurance information and give it to you.
You can also ask for another driver’s auto insurance provider coverage from the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). You can do it this way if you do not wish to involve the police, but you must give your personal information and a legitimate reason for the request. If you provide false information to the MVD to obtain insurance information, your request can be denied.
The MVD can use the driver’s license plate number to find out if he or she has auto insurance.
If the other driver gave you the name of his or her auto insurance company but would not give you the policy number or any other details, you can call the company to request more information.
If the other driver gave you a fake phone number and disappears after your crash, you can still go through his or her insurance company to file a claim.
All motor vehicle drivers in Arizona must carry a minimum amount of $25,000 in bodily injury insurance per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for the destruction of property.
Unfortunately, your car accident may still involve an uninsured or underinsured driver. If you find out that the other driver does not have insurance, you can seek reimbursement in other ways.
You can file a lawsuit against an at-fault party, for example, but many drivers who don’t have auto insurance coverage also don’t have the assets to pay out of pocket. You can also file a first-party claim with your car insurance company if you have the right type of coverage.
If you opted for additional insurance coverage in the form of comprehensive, collision, or underinsured or uninsured driver insurance, your car insurance company can cover your losses.
To discuss all of your options for making a financial recovery after an accident in Arizona—with or without the other driver’s auto insurance information available—contact Stone Rose Law for a free consultation.
Our Phoenix auto accident attorneys at Stone Rose Law proudly serve car accident clients throughout Arizona. We do everything in our power to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Reach out to us online or call (480) 498-8998 to schedule your free initial consultation to discuss your car accident case with a qualified car accident lawyer in Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, or throughout Maricopa County, AZ.
If you have become one of the Arizona drivers unlucky enough to be involved in an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist that has caused you personal injury or property damage, and you want to be sure you receive the best possible legal representation from an experienced Arizona personal injury law firm, call us.
Do you prefer to communicate with us online? You can reach us here to schedule a free initial consultation, or to ask a question to one of our dedicated Phoenix car accident lawyers.