What to Do After You’ve Been In an Accident

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Social Marketing

No driver ever expects to be in an accident. If they did, it wouldn’t be an accident!

Even so, it never hurts to be prepared. Knowing what to do after you’ve been in an accident can help alleviate stress and streamline the process should you ever have to deal with the unfortunate circumstance of being in one.

What exactly should you do after a car accident? We’ve compiled some of the best advice from around the web into an easy-to-follow checklist:

1. Stay calm! First things first: take a deep breath! Your insurance company and your local auto body shop will take care of your vehicle. As long as you’re physically okay, most other things can be repaired.
2. If possible, move to a safe location. If your car can still safely move, move it to a safe location. This may be a side street or the shoulder. When doing this, be careful not to flee the scene (or make it appear that you are)!
3. Make sure everyone involved is OK. Esurance recommends getting out of the vehicle after moving it to a safe location and checking on all parties involved. Don’t hesitate to call an ambulance if necessary, even for seemingly minor injuries. If someone is seriously injured, it’s almost always best to wait for a medical professional to arrive on the scene.
4. Call the police. You’re required by law in many states to call the police if someone has been injured, the accident is blocking traffic, or property damage (including cars) is above a certain monetary amount. It’s still a good idea to call the police in other less serious situations.
5. Exchange information. Carfax recommends exchanging name, home address, driver’s license number, phone number, insurance company, policy number, VIN, and license plate number. Don’t have paper? Use your smartphone!
6. Take photos. Taking pictures of each vehicle and the scene can help your insurance company settle disputes after the accident.
7. If necessary, get your car towed. If your car needs to be towed, arrange to do so. You may want to contact your insurance company and see if they recommend a specific towing company.
8. Contact your insurance company. Off the scene, call your insurance company and give them all the details, including the details of the police report. They will give you next steps and will help you find an auto body shop they recommend.
9. Get your car repaired. This is where we come in! Whether recommended by the insurance company or selected on your own, find a quality auto body shop to fix your vehicle. A good shop will treat you right and get your vehicle looking like new!
10. Get your car back and resume life as normal. After the process is over, you can breathe a big sigh of relief—it’s all over! Now you can resume life as if nothing ever happened.

Most people will find that being in an accident can be an extreme source of stress. However, knowing what to expect will certainly make the process easier. Pair a little bit of know-how with the right auto body shop, and you’ll likely find that the post-accident process doesn’t have to be nearly as bad to deal with as you imagined.

Need an auto body professional? Call Great Plains Auto Body at 402.334.7100.

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photo credit: via photopin (license)