What to Do When You’ve Been in a Car Collision

You never expect to be in a car collision, but if it happens, you’ll likely be shaky and not thinking straight. Take a deep breath, then follow these steps to make sure you’ve covered all your bases.

First, Stop & Make Sure Everyone’s Okay.

Stop, if you’re still moving, and get your vehicle to the side of the road. Check yourself and the other people involved to make sure there are no injuries. If there are, you should call 911 right away. Even if there aren’t, stay alert to your condition, because symptoms of both physical injuries and shock or PTSD may not show up immediately. When you leave the car, do not get in the way of traffic or stand between cars that are still on the road, even if they’re stopped.

Call the Police

Bring in law enforcement. Regardless of how bad the accident is, bringing in the police will ensure that there’s a record of the incident. This may be important later to yourself, your insurance, or court proceedings (if things go that far). Also, some insurance policies say that police must be contacted within a certain time frame for hit-and- run incidents. If officers aren’t able to come to the scene, file an incident report at a station later.

Check for Car Damage, and Document

As long as you know you’re in a safe place, make a careful and thorough inspection to determine what kind of damage your car has experienced. It may be hard to take in details if you’re rattled, but do your best. Write it down or record it with your camera.

Share Your Information

Exchange your identification and insurance information with both the other party and police. This is an important part of the process, so don’t try to avoid it, even if there are injuries and confusion involved and no visible car damage. There may be hidden issues that crop up later. Do not take blame at the scene, because additional information may change perceptions.

Get Transportation

In some cases, your car will be drivable. In others, you may need anything from flat tires repaired or airbags reset to major bodywork and auto glass repair. If you can’t drive your car, or if you feel that your mindset is not conducive to driving, call a tow truck or automobile club for help. If you need to, set up a breakdown site with emergency cones and hazard lights on.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

Now that the on-the-scene matters have been taken care of, contact your insurance representative. Most policies require you file a claim within a certain time limit. Know your coverage, and your responsibilities. Your insurance agent can guide you through all this.

Find an Auto Body Shop & Get Your Car Fixed as Soon as Possible

You may be tempted to leave your car as-is, if it’s drivable. Don’t wait, however. Not only could it be dangerous if there is unseen damage, you could be exacerbating a problem by creating additional stress in damaged areas. Do your research, and find an auto body shop that you’re comfortable with. You don’t have to go with the insurance company’s recommendation. But you do need to be safe when you’re driving, so move forward with auto collision repairs in a timely fashion.

Hopefully, you’ll never experience a car collision. If you do, however, follow these instructions and you won’t be blindsided by the aftermath of this type of accident.

What to Ask When Seeking Auto Body Repair

In your daily life, you probably don’t have much reason to think about the work of auto body repair shops. Usually, you only think about such businesses if you need them. This sometimes means that, when faced with a need for such work, you may not be sure how to find a reputable body shop that you can trust. If you’re looking, here’s what you should ask.

Is the auto body shop reputable?

First, find out if the body shop is licensed. Are its technicians certified? You’ll want to find out the level of experience of the people who will actually be working on it. Look for wall plaques denoting technical expertise and involvement in the community. Talk to the body shop’s customer service reps. Ask around and check local review sites as well.

Is the body shop familiar with your vehicle’s make and model, and the type of work it needs done?

Do the technicians have a level of expertise when it comes to your specific needs? Remember that some body shops may be less knowledgeable when it comes to European and other foreign cars. Also, some may have more experience doing certain types of repairs. Ask your the representatives from body shop how comfortable they feel doing the work on your vehicle. Can the shop provide you with a paper trail, including a warranty?

Find out if the auto body shop will write you out an estimate and itemize your bill. Also, know how long the warranty for the repairs lasts - a year should be minimum - and what it covers. Make sure you understand the fine points of such a guarantee. Read it over to ensure it’s not so restrictive as to be useless in practice. Get everything laid out for you in writing so you can discover any discrepancies.

What types of parts are being used for replacing damaged ones?

Find out what paint will be used, if needed, and how many coats. Ask about whether the body shop will be using new parts, used parts, OEM parts, or aftermarket parts. You may prefer original equipment manufacturer parts, which can offer better accountability and quality and fit your car best. Aftermarket parts are less expensive, created by third parties, but can be suitable depending on the repair.

Does the body shop offer rental cars or loaner vehicles?

If you need one, ask. Some body shops will have arrangements with car rental companies nearby, or they’ll have rental cars that you can use in the meantime. Also, make sure you understand how insurance works with loaners. Find out what other accommodations the body shop may make for your convenience, especially if the repair takes longer than estimated and you need wheels. This is not an unheard-of occurrence.

If this was the body shop recommended by your insurance company, note that this doesn’t mean you have to use it. Also, this does not necessarily mean the auto body shop is better than others. An improperly repaired car can be dangerous, or lead to other mechanical problems down the line, so make sure you shop around. You should be comfortable with the people who are fixing your car.