What to do after a car accident: The steps you should take

 Even if you strive to be exceptionally careful each and every time you get behind the wheel, car accidents still happen. And whether you're to blame or the fault is with another driver on the road, the stress of the aftermath still exists! Luckily, Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help remove some of the stress of a car accident from the equation. Not only do we have a full-service auto body repair shop on-site, but we also have tips on how to react immediately after a car accident from our expert auto body repair techs. 

What steps should you take after a car accident? 

#1: Always assess yourself and your passengers first. 

Before you do anything else after a car accident, you should first check yourself and all of your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call an ambulance so the paramedics can assess them and see whether a trip to the hospital is necessary. 

#2: Get out of the way. 

Your next step should be to get your car and yourself out of the way of oncoming cars after a car accident so you can avoid another accident. If you can move your car off the road, do so. If you can't, at least turn on your hazards to make your N Charlotte Toyota more visible, and evacuate all of your passengers out of the vehicle. You should get off the road and stand on the shoulder in a safe spot. 

#3: Call the police. 

Next, call the police. You'll want them to document the accident and give you an official accident report. Your car insurance company will likely ask for it when you file a claim after the car accident, especially if you weren't at fault. Make sure you get a copy of the report or the report number before you leave. 

#4: Exchange contact information. 

Exchange contact info with the other driver - you'll want to get their full name and phone number. You'll also want to grab the year, make, and model of their vehicle as well as their insurance information for when you file an insurance claim. 

#5: Track down witnesses. 

Did anyone see the car accident happen? If so, try to grab their name and contact information. You may need them to make a statement later. 

#6: Document everything. 

Write everything down NOW. All of the details are fresh in your memory, so it's important to jot them down or record a voice memo. Remember to include when, where, and how the accident happened in as much detail as you can. It's also a good idea to document car accident damage on your N Charlotte Toyota AND the other driver's car before you leave - take photos or video on your phone. 

#7: File an insurance claim and get repairs started. 

Finally, you should file a claim with your insurance company so you can get your auto body repairs started. Call them as soon as possible after the car accident and be sure to tell them that you want to schedule repairs at our Charlotte Toyota Collision Center. We'll use Genuine Toyota Parts to keep your Toyota a Toyota and get you back on the road in no time. 

Get your repairs handled at Toyota of N Charlotte 

Call us today to get the ball rolling - Toyota of N Charlotte is open and waiting at (704) 659-2040! 

Car care for after off-roading adventures

  

Are you the type of driver who likes to find your adventures off the pavement? The areas surrounding Charlotte are the perfect places to do it. However, while off-roading is a great way to explore things you'd never find in the city or suburbs, it also calls for a special type of car care when you return to civilization. We gathered some top car care tips for post-off-roading from our auto service techs at Toyota of North Charlotte - check them out for next time you decide to tackle new terrain. 

4 tips for car care after your off-roading adventures

The first thing to remember is that you shouldn't delay your car care. The longer you let mud sit on it, the longer it's going to take to clean it off. You should try to wash and detail your ride as soon as you get home to save yourself time, money, and frustration. 

Tip #1: Rinse with a pressure washer before you start scrubbing. 

Before you actually wash your car, you should rinse it with a pressure washer (or at least a hose on the high setting). You want to ensure that you remove all dirt and on top of that, all the tiny sand particles that you may not be able to see. If you try washing and scrubbing your car with sand particles still on the body, it'll leave swirls and scratches in the paint. 

Tip #2: Rinse the undercarriage. 

Rinse the undercarriage of your N Charlotte Toyota - after all, it's the part that took the most of the mud, dirt, and sand on. A quick and easy hack is to buy a cheap rotating sprinkler head and attach it to your hose; then slide it under the truck and let it get to work. It'll clean a majority of the mud off for you and cut your car care time way down. 

Tip #3: Clean the brakes and suspension components. 

You should always thoroughly spray the brakes and suspension components of your vehicle as part of your off-roading car care. Mud or dirt in these parts can impair functionality and cost you money in repairs and service down the road. Be sure to clean everything well. 

Tip #4: Apply a coat of quality wax. 

Apply a coat of quality wax to your N Charlotte Toyota when you're done. This will help to protect your car paint from moisture and small scratches, as well as make it a lot easier to clean next time you go off-roading. 

Toyota of N Charlotte has affordable car care supplies 

And make sure you're using the right products for your car. You don't want to resort to dish soap and cheap wax - neither will serve you well in the long run. Instead, shop our Charlotte auto parts store for deals on already-affordable car detailing supplies. 

Let us help you become an expert at car care, even for off-roading! Call Toyota of N Charlotte's service center today at (704) 659-2025 or stop by. We're conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville at 13429 Statesville Road.