Tuesday, November 17, 2020

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. 

body shop

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. 

after a car accident

#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! 

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