Hit-and-run accidents: How to handle them

 Have you ever found yourself the victim of a hit-and-run accident? This type of car accident is particularly stressful because when it's over, you find yourself left without another driver to deal with the aftermath. In this type of collision, the other driver hits you and then flees the scene to avoid taking the blame for it (and to avoid paying for anything). 

However, fleeing the scene of a car accident is illegal. In fact, if someone sustains an injury or is killed in a hit-and-run accident in the state of North Carolina, the driver who flees the scene is up for felony charges. That's how serious it is, and that's why it's so imperative that you stay at the scene of an accident, especially if it's your fault. 

What should you do after a hit-and-run accident? 

But what can you do if you're the victim of a hit-and-run accident? When the other driver flees the scene, you don't have anyone to pay for medical bills and damages to your car (not to mention it's infuriating). Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help - check out these quick tips on how to handle a hit-and-run accident with as little stress as possible. 

Step #1: Call for emergency medical help if necessary. The first thing you should do after any type of car accident is figure out if you or any of your passengers are injured. If you're in need of medical attention, be sure to call emergency services and get them to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. 

Step #2: Get the police to the scene. Next, you should contact the police. You'll want them to come to the scene so they can document the accident and file a police report for you, which you'll need for your car insurance company. Additionally, this is when you can give them the necessary information for them to pursue (and hopefully catch) the other driver. Be sure to ask for a copy of all documentation as well as a contact number where you can follow up on the status of the case. 

Step #3: Document everything as soon as you can. Write everything down as soon as you possibly can so you can remember all of the details. You'll want to record things like: 

• When and where the accident happened - the date and time, location, cross streets, landmarks, etc. 
• What the other driver looked like
• What the other car looked like - make, model, color, and any notable accessories, sticker, or accident damage on the vehicle 
• What happened, step by step 
• What direction the other driver headed in as they fled 
• Any damage to your vehicle as well as injuries to you and your passengers

It's also helpful to take photos of everything, even the scene, for the police and your insurance company. 

Step #4: Gather your witnesses. If there were any witnesses to the accident, ask them to stick around long enough so you can at least get their contact information. If they're willing to give a statement to the police, have them do it, and also get them to write down their account of the hit-and-run accident for you to have. 

Step #5: Get in touch with your insurance company. Now it's time to call your insurance company so you can report the hit-and-run accident and file a claim. If you have injuries, you'll want to use your Personal Injury Protection coverage to pay for your medical bills, and you may also want to ask about your Underinsured Motorist and Uninsured Motorist coverage. 

Schedule auto repairs at Toyota of N Charlotte after a hit-and-run accident 

Finally, schedule an appointment with our N Charlotte Toyota body shop! Our techs can get your car back into like-new condition after a hit-and-run accident and get you back on the road. We're open seven days a week at (704) 659-2040 and conveniently located just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville - find us at 13429 Statesville Road. 

Drive your stick shift car more efficiently with these easy tips

 When was the last time you got behind the wheel of a stick shift car? Whether you own one and are an old pro or are just starting out and trying to learn how to drive a manual transmission, you know it's not quite as simple as driving an automatic car. Driving a stick shift car requires a fair amount of finesse so you don't damage the gears, clutch, or any other important parts. Toyota of N Charlotte is here with tips! 

Five tips for driving a stick shift

Driving an automatic car has its benefits - after all, the car does all the work for you when it comes to shifting and all you have to do is press the brake and gas. However, driving a manual transmission car does have its benefits. Although you have to shift manually using a shifter and clutch pedal, it's typically more fuel-efficient, cheaper to purchase, and more fun to drive. After all, if you're doing the shifting, you have complete control over your RPMs and acceleration. 

However, this also leaves more room for errors (and repairs). Check out these five N Charlotte Toyota tips for driving a stick shift car efficiently. 

Tip #1: Make sure you're using your clutch when you're supposed to. When you drive a stick shift car, you should ALWAYS push in your clutch before shifting. This allows the gears to smoothly change; if you don't clutch first and shift second, you can do serious damage to your car over time (and that means expensive repairs). Similarly, remember to use the clutch when you're braking - if your RPMs drop too low and you're not using the clutch, you can stall out. 

Tip #2: Use your RPMs wisely when driving a stick shift car. Make sure you're in the right gear and working with your RPMs, not against them. For example, if you're in a high gear and want to accelerate rapidly, don't just slam on the gas pedal - this can cause engine issues. Instead, downshift AND accelerate so you can get to the right speed. 

Tip #3: Put your stick shift car in neutral when you stop. When you pull up to a light, it may be tempting to leave your car in first gear so you can immediately move when the light turns green again. However, this actually is bad and puts more wear and tear on your gears and engine. Shift your car into neutral when you reach a red light and NEVER use your clutch pedal to rock your N Charlotte Toyota back and forth (you know who you are). 

Tip #4: Use your parking brake. When you park your stick shift car, you're going to shift into neutral before you turn the engine off. Make sure you also pull your parking brake! If you don't, it's more than likely that because it's in neutral, your car will roll right out of its spot. 

Tip #5: Take your hand off the shifter when you're not shifting. A lot of drivers tend to rest their hand on the gear shifter when they're at stoplights, parked, etc. This actually puts unnecessary stress and weight on the shifter, so avoid it. 

Get answers for your manual transmission questions at Toyota of N Charlotte 

If you have questions about driving a stick shift car, don't hesitate to reach out! Toyota of N Charlotte is open seven days a week for all of your concerns and questions at (704) 875-9199. We're also conveniently located at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. 

Toyota of N Charlotte shares more car hacks

 Does owning a car sometimes seem like a responsibility? Well, spoiler alert - it is. It takes time, money, and effort to own, operate, maintain, clean, and insure a car. However, it doesn't have to be stressful to keep a car in your driveway. Check out these N Charlotte Toyota car hacks we put together to keep things simple when it comes to car ownership. 

Six easy car hacks 

Car hack #1: Protect your wiper blades. Protect your wiper blades when the temperatures drop by putting a pair of socks over them when you park your car. This will prevent them from freezing to your windshield in harsh winter weather, which can result in damage to the rubber on the blades. Save yourself the hassle and the money by putting your old socks to use. 

Car hack #2: Use the speed limit to your advantage. Most drivers think that if they're in a rush, they should go over the speed limit to get where they're going. However, this can actually be counterproductive if you're in an area with a lot of stoplights. Green lights are timed in accordance with the speed limit, so if you go over, you're not going to hit a whole lot of green lights. Get where you're going quickly by following the rules of the road! 

Car hack #3: Know how to unlock your car without remote keyless entry. If your key fob stops working, do you know how to gain entry to your car without it? Here's a car hack. Your car key fob actually has a small mechanical key hidden within it. Pull it out and then pop off the small plastic piece on your front door handle - there's a mechanical lock hidden under it. 

Car hack #4: Fix small paint scratches on your own. Have a small but unsightly scratch on your ride and need it fixed in a hurry? DIY it and use nail polish. It sounds weird, but it works - not only is it cheap, it also comes in about a million colors so it shouldn't be too hard to find a match for your N Charlotte Toyota's paint. Just know it's a temporary fix and likely won't last long.

Car hack #5: Find your car easily in a big parking lot. Are you guilty of always losing your car in the parking lot? Make it easy on yourself. If you can remember, take a picture of your N Charlotte Toyota with any discernable landmarks (a tree, a sign, etc.) or take a photo of the row you're in. You can also place something bright in a window so it's easy to spot or use your key fob to try and locate your car. 

Car hack #6: Use slime for cleaning (no, really). Slime is usually the bane of parents' existence, but in this instance, it can come in handy. Use the sticky substance to clean up dirt and debris from the hard-to-reach places in your N Charlotte Toyota (we're talking cupholders especially). And make sure you toss the dirty slime afterward - it's a win-win. 

Contact Toyota of N Charlotte today! 

Have questions or want more car hacks? Call Toyota of N Chalrotte! We're open seven days a week at (704) 875-9199. You can also stop by; we're conveniently located at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.