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What to Do After a Car Accident
How to Appropriately Respond to a Car Accident
To ensure the safety of yourself and others. If you are involved in an accident, it is important to stay calm and assess the situation. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there are no obvious injuries, it is important to seek medical attention to be checked out for any hidden injuries.
Ensure Safety First:
The immediate priority after an accident is safety. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, turn on hazard lights, and check for injuries among yourself, passengers, and others involved. Call 911 for medical assistance if necessary.
Notify Law Enforcement:
Contact law enforcement as soon as possible. It's crucial to report the accident to the police as they will create an official accident report, which can be valuable for insurance claims and legal purposes later on.
Exchange Information:
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident. Gather names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. It would be ideal to be polite and cooperative during this process. Also, make sure to get information from any witnesses as well.
Document the Accident:
Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and traffic signs. This visual evidence can be essential for insurance claims. Write down details such as where the accident took place, what the weather was like, etc.
Seek Medical Attention:
Even if you don't feel injured immediately, it's advisable to seek medical attention. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, and a medical evaluation can help in documenting any injuries related to the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary details, including the other driver's information and the accident report number.
Avoid Placing Fault:
While it's essential to cooperate with the authorities and share information, avoid admitting fault or making accusations towards anyone involved. Fault determination is often handled by the insurance companies and legal processes.
Contact an Attorney:
If the accident involves significant injuries or complex liability issues, consider consulting an attorney experienced in personal injury cases. They can provide guidance on your legal rights and potential claims.
Keep Records:
Maintain detailed records of all accident-related expenses, such as medical bills, repair costs, and any missed workdays due to injuries. This documentation will be crucial for insurance claims and potential lawsuits.
Follow Up with Insurance:
Stay in communication with your insurance company throughout the claims process. Cooperate with their investigations, provide requested documents promptly, and keep track of claim progress.
Additional Notes:
When you're using a body shop to get repairs to your vehicle, be aware that the insurance company can recommend a shop, but you are under no legal obligation to use its services. You have the legal right to choose the shop to do your repairs.
Also be aware that insurance companies sometimes try to dictate what type of parts are used in a vehicle's repair. They might insist that a shop not use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, as they are more expensive.
Testimonials
Allison H., 07/20/2021
Today is a day my faith in humanity is restored! I have always felt more then confident in our Mechanics at MC Automotive but today is one of many days that ensured me we are in the BEST hands. Our new to us Yukon XL Denali was presenting issues with the dash and starting or not starting. I brought the vehicle in on very short notice and when picked it up it was working fine. It would not present the multiple errors bc the car was not having issues starting at the time. Joe, noticed my positive battery connection was loose. Thinking this may have been a contributor or cause. On my drive home the car finally worked perfectly. I made a stop before heading home and when attempting to restart my vehicle I was unsuccessful after multiple tries. I reached out to Christin in the office who kindly listened to all of my concerns and advised me to call Mike, the owner of the shop. He was extremely helpful and willing to do whatever needed to be done to get me up and running! . He sent his Mechanic, Joe to my rescue with a machine to read any errors and attempt to start the vehicle. After working very hard for well over an hour in the heat and sweating it was decided it may be an issue for the Dealership itself to reprogram modules or correct issues. But also offered that if it was determined that the error codes or issues did not need to be programmed by the dealership then I could bring it back to him and he would do whatever needed to try and fix it. He took so much time and effort out of his day as did Christin and Mike to answer my calls, and my concerns immediately. It feels like family there and who wouldn't want family working on their cars? I will always and forever as long as they are in operation...continue to bring my vehicles to them. Hands down they are the BEST automotive repair shop I have ever been to. If only everyone operated this way and treated their customers with such care the world would be so much better!!!!!!!!