From every driver and vehicle owner, collect: full name, current address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance company name with policy number. For witnesses, get their name, phone number, and a brief note of what they saw. If police respond, get the officer’s name, badge number, and the police report number. Take clear photos of all documents, license plates, and the scene. Do not rely on verbal promises or social media details; get physical or digital proof.

Yes, you should obtain at least two to three estimates from comparable contractors. This demonstrates due diligence and establishes a market-rate range for the repairs. Do not automatically submit the highest estimate. Instead, analyze the scope and detail of each. The most thorough and reasonable estimate, often the middle one, is typically the most defensible. Using an inflated estimate can damage your credibility and slow down the settlement process.

At a bare minimum, you must get their full legal name and a current phone number. An email address and physical address are highly valuable additions. If possible, also note their connection to the event (e.g., “was walking dog,“ “driver of blue car”). This core set of details allows an investigator or attorney to follow up for a full, formal statement while the event is still fresh in the witness’s mind.