Suppose you’ve suffered a personal injury in a car accident. The driver of the other vehicle was negligent, and that negligence directly caused your injury. What happens if the other driver gives you false insurance information? After all, plenty of people still drive without insurance, and it’s nothing these days to print an impressive, bogus insurance card. This is a real concern if you’ve suffered a personal injury in the accident and you’re going to need compensation from the other driver. What can you do if you’re given false information?

Think ahead. If you’re in a car accident, immediately call the local police to report it. Officers can take everyone’s statements and verify everyone’s identities, licenses, and registrations. A police report is a document you really should have if you suffer a personal injury; everyone will eventually require a copy. Additionally, having police officers on the scene of an accident is the best way to deter some drivers from providing false insurance information. Law enforcement officers can also serve as witnesses if you file a personal injury lawsuit, so don’t hesitate to call the police and obtain a police report.

Secondly, after contacting local police, contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Don’t sign any insurance forms or make any statements about a car accident before consulting with a good personal injury lawyer. Thirdly, get what you need from the other driver. That includes insurance information, driver’s license information with the license number, name and address, license plate number, car type and color, the person’s phone number, and if possible, pictures of the accident scene including the other driver’s car showing its license plate number. You can’t take too many pictures. If the insurance information is falsified, at least you have other information about the vehicle. Even if you’re shaky or injured, try hard to focus and obtain all the information you can while still at the accident scene.

Finally, always carry uninsured motorist insurance coverage. As an accident victim, you shouldn’t have to play detective; you should be able to concentrate on your medical care and your auto repair or replacement. Uninsured motorist coverage is always your best protection against the driver who hands out false insurance information; face it, if a person’s not buying auto insurance, it’s likely he or she is not worth suing for damages anyway.

You have other options though, and if you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should discuss your case as quickly as possible with an experienced California personal injury attorney, someone who will defend your rights and work diligently to win for you the compensation you deserve. In the San Diego area, if you or a family member has suffered a personal injury in an auto accident, please contact attorney Gary Sernaker to discuss your rights and options under California Law.