What If the Other Driver Refuses to Give Me Their Insurance Information?

You’re standing on the side of a Tacoma road, shaken but trying to do the right thing after an accident. You’ve checked to see if everyone is okay, and now you’ve pulled out your phone to exchange information. You politely ask the other driver for their insurance card, but they refuse. Maybe they make excuses, saying they don’t have it with them. Maybe they get defensive and say it’s none of your business. Or maybe they just flat-out say “no.”

This refusal is a giant red flag. It immediately raises suspicions: Are they driving without insurance? Is their license suspended? Are they trying to hide something?

Whatever their reason, this uncooperative behavior can make you feel powerless and panicked. But it’s crucial to stay calm. Their refusal to follow the law does not leave you without options. In fact, it makes your next steps even more clear and important. Here’s exactly what to do to protect yourself.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• Stay Calm and Do Not Argue: Your safety is the priority. Do not get into a confrontation. If the driver is hostile, create a safe distance.
• Call 911 Immediately: This is now non-negotiable. Inform the dispatcher that an accident has occurred and the other driver is refusing to provide their legally required information.
• Gather What You Can: While waiting for the police, use your phone to discreetly take a clear photo of the other car’s license plate. This is now your most important piece of evidence.
• Document the Driver and Vehicle: Take photos of the other car, the damage, and, if you can do so safely, the other driver. Note their physical description.
• Let the Police Handle It: When the officer arrives, calmly explain the situation. The officer has the authority to compel the driver to provide their information. Fleeing the scene is a crime.

Your First and Most Important Move: Call the Police

If you were on the fence about whether to involve law enforcement for a “minor” accident, the other driver just made the decision for you. The moment they refuse to provide their insurance information, you should call 911.

In Washington State, drivers are legally required to exchange information after an accident. By refusing, the other driver is breaking the law. Inform the 911 operator: “I’ve been in a car accident at [your location], and the other driver is refusing to provide their license and insurance information.”

This does two critical things:

1. It brings an authority figure to the scene. A police officer can legally require the driver to identify themselves and provide their documents.
2. It creates an official record. The police report will document the driver’s non-compliance, which is a powerful fact in your favor during the insurance claim process.

The Power of the License Plate

While waiting for the police to arrive, your most important job is to gather the one piece of information the driver can’t hide: their license plate number.

If it is safe to do so, use your smartphone to take a clear, readable photo of the other car’s license plate. Even if the driver leaves the scene before the police arrive, this number is the key to everything. With a license plate, a police officer and your insurance company can almost always identify the registered owner of the vehicle and, in most cases, their insurance carrier.

Also, try to discreetly photograph the car itself, the damage, and the driver. This can help confirm the identity of the person behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

What if the Driver Leaves the Scene?

If the driver who refused to provide information decides to flee before the police arrive, the situation has now escalated from an accident to a hit-and-run, which is a crime.

Do not try to follow them. Your safety is paramount. Instead, make sure you have their license plate number and provide it to the police officer as soon as they arrive. The police can then launch an investigation to track down the driver. Your insurance claim will then be treated as a hit-and-run claim, which will likely be covered by your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.

A driver’s refusal to provide information is a clear sign that you need to be extra vigilant in protecting your rights. This is no longer a simple fender bender; it’s a contested incident with potential legal complications. Handling the insurance claim process in this situation can be incredibly challenging.

This is a scenario where professional guidance is invaluable. If you’ve been in an accident in the Tacoma area with an uncooperative driver, search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. You can find and compare trusted local attorneys who know exactly how to handle these difficult cases. They can work with investigators to identify the other driver and ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.

References

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW 46.52.020) – Duty in case of personal injury or death or damage to attended vehicle or other property: This is the official state law that legally requires drivers involved in a collision to stop and exchange information, including their name, address, and insurance details. https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.52.020
• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: Official information explaining how UIM coverage works, which is critical if the uncooperative driver turns out to be uninsured or flees the scene (hit-and-run). https://www.insurance.wa.gov/what-uninsuredunderinsured-motorist-uim-coverage-and-do-i-need-it