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Required Information

Doug Perras

I have been a personal injury lawyer for a very long time.  This morning on my way to work I was rear-ended.  After it was all over, and I was on my way to work, I began to wonder how well I had handled the situation.  I wondered if I had obtained all of the information I needed from the other driver.

After the accident, I immediately moved my car off of the road, and I noticed the fellow who rear-ended me had done the same.   Before I got out of my car I double-checked to make sure it wasn’t going to roll away.  I was feeling rattled and in shock — had I remembered to put the car in park?  Yes, all of that was good so I opened the door and got out of my car.  The other driver was already at my door.  He asked if I was hurt and I replied, “I’m not sure.”

Once out of my car, I asked for the other follow for his registration, proof of insurance and driver’s license.  I took a picture of each with my iPhone and made sure that I could read all of the pertinent information from the photograph.  I then checked to make sure that the VIN number on the registration was the same as the VIN number on the vehicle.  (This number is located on the driver’s side of the vehicle just inside the windshield but is clearly visible from the outside.)  I then went to the back of his vehicle and took a picture of his license plate.  I had everything I needed — right?  I then provided copies of my driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance to the other driver.  Each of those were photographed, and we both went on our way.

As I continued on my way to work I began wonder whether I had everything I needed.  Had I made sure that the photo on the driver’s license was the guy who was driving?  Why didn’t I take a photograph of the actual VIN number inside of the windshield?  I checked to make sure it was the same as on the registration — will that be a problem?  I didn’t take pictures of the rear bumper of my car or the front bumper of the vehicle that ran into me, but I couldn’t see any damage.

This is what is needed:

–           photograph of driver’s license; (Make sure the photograph on the license matches the driver.)

–           photograph of registration; (Make sure the VIN number of the registration matches the VIN number inside the windshield.)

–           photograph of proof of insurance; (Make sure the VIN number of the proof of insurance is the same as the VIN number inside the windshield.)

–           photograph of license plate; (Make sure the plate number is the same as shown on the registration

–           photograph of damage to vehicle(s);

(If any of the above are not provided or the numbers do not match then call the police)

Did I get everything? Would I give myself a passing grade — likely?

2023-12-07T19:18:10+00:00August 21, 2018|Personal Injury|
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