Seeking Help to Find Driver’s Insurance Information
Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing well! I’m in need of some advice regarding a recent incident.
Here’s a quick summary of what happened:
About a month ago, I was rear-ended while stationary in heavy traffic. The other driver accelerated and hit me. Initially, we agreed to handle things without involving the police or insurance. However, after a few weeks, he stopped communicating, and our negotiations fell through. Luckily, I took photos of his driver’s license and license plate before he left the scene.
When negotiations broke down, I reached out to my insurance company, who was very helpful and even got the other driver to admit fault on a recorded line—great news! Unfortunately, it seems there are some limitations to what they can do since he resides in Ontario, Canada, and I’m in New York.
I’d love to hear if anyone has experience in similar situations. My insurance company mentioned they could proceed if I can provide any additional information about the other driver, such as the name of his insurance company or the vehicle’s VIN. I have photos of his license and vehicle, but I’m unsure how to start my search with him being located in Ontario.
Any insight or assistance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about your situation—it sounds frustrating. Here are a few steps you might consider to track down the driver’s insurance information:
Contact the Ontario Ministry of Transportation: You can reach out to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to see if they can provide assistance based on the license plate number or driver’s license number. They may have protocols in place for accidents that occur outside of Canada.
Use Online Resources: There are online services that may help you look up vehicle registration information based on the license plate number. However, these services may require a fee or be limited in the information they can provide.
Contact Local Authorities in Ontario: While you mentioned you didn’t involve the police initially, it may be worth contacting the local police department in Ontario where the driver is registered. Explain the situation and see if they can offer any guidance or assistance in obtaining the driver’s insurance details.
Reach Out to a Local Attorney: An attorney familiar with cross-border insurance issues might be able to guide you through this process and help you understand your rights and possible actions you can take.
Check with Your Insurance Company: Your insurance company may have resources or relationships with Ontario insurers that could assist in obtaining the information you need.
Consider Small Claims Court: If all else fails, you might consider taking the matter to small claims court, where you might be able to obtain a judgment that will provide you with more leverage in securing the compensation you deserve.
Make sure you keep detailed records of all communications and steps you take, as this can help you solidify your case if further legal action is needed. Good luck, and I hope you get this resolved soon!