What to Do After a Car Accident
How to Appropriately Respond to a Car Accident
To ensure the safety of yourself and others. If you are involved in an accident, it is important to stay calm and assess the situation. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there are no obvious injuries, it is important to seek medical attention to be checked out for any hidden injuries.
Ensure Safety First:
The immediate priority after an accident is safety. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, turn on hazard lights, and check for injuries among yourself, passengers, and others involved. Call 911 for medical assistance if necessary.
Notify Law Enforcement:
Contact law enforcement as soon as possible. It's crucial to report the accident to the police as they will create an official accident report, which can be valuable for insurance claims and legal purposes later on.
Exchange Information:
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident. Gather names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. It would be ideal to be polite and cooperative during this process. Also, make sure to get information from any witnesses as well.
Document the Accident:
Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and traffic signs. This visual evidence can be essential for insurance claims. Write down details such as where the accident took place, what the weather was like, etc.
Seek Medical Attention:
Even if you don't feel injured immediately, it's advisable to seek medical attention. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, and a medical evaluation can help in documenting any injuries related to the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary details, including the other driver's information and the accident report number.
Avoid Placing Fault:
While it's essential to cooperate with the authorities and share information, avoid admitting fault or making accusations towards anyone involved. Fault determination is often handled by the insurance companies and legal processes.
Contact an Attorney:
If the accident involves significant injuries or complex liability issues, consider consulting an attorney experienced in personal injury cases. They can provide guidance on your legal rights and potential claims.
Keep Records:
Maintain detailed records of all accident-related expenses, such as medical bills, repair costs, and any missed workdays due to injuries. This documentation will be crucial for insurance claims and potential lawsuits.
Follow Up with Insurance:
Stay in communication with your insurance company throughout the claims process. Cooperate with their investigations, provide requested documents promptly, and keep track of claim progress.
Additional Notes:
When you're using a body shop to get repairs to your vehicle, be aware that the insurance company can recommend a shop, but you are under no legal obligation to use its services. You have the legal right to choose the shop to do your repairs.
Also be aware that insurance companies sometimes try to dictate what type of parts are used in a vehicle's repair. They might insist that a shop not use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, as they are more expensive.
Contact Us Today!
Got questions? We've got answers! Drop us a line, give us a call, or even stop by. Our team is eager to help you with any auto repair needs you have. Let's get you back on the road safely and swiftly!
What Our Customers Are Saying
Always do great work with our motors in there machine shop
I ran out of gas right at the corner across the street from this shop, and the man working at Sundance was so kind, he located a gas can, filled it, asked me to please return it on my way back from getting gas, all without any question, in 110° heat, he saved me from having to walk and risk getting towed from where my truck was still in the street. A company run by empathic humans is the best in any business. These guys rock!
"WAS" a happy customer with Peoria Ford's service dept. I've used Peoria Ford for years and always took my 2011 Ford Fusion to them for all service needs. Well... my last service was terrible. (See Google Review) After a disaster with Peoria Ford's repair shop, I took my 2011 Ford Fusion SEL to this recommended Auto Repair Shop "Sundance Auto Service & Machine Shop". The shop may not look as snazzy as Peoria Ford's, but the mechanics know their stuff. John quickly and correctly diagnosed the problem within a few hours and gave me a great price to do all the work. Apparently the "Vehicle Control Arms" needed replacement as the bushings were totally worn out. A dangerous situation if not repaired. Something the Peoria Ford service department should have noticed and informed me of. But no. Not one peep about control arms from Peoria Ford. After I gave John the go ahead, Sundance not only repaired the car perfectly, but it also only took them one day to do everything. Dropped the car off that morning and picked it up the next day before noon. And I believe the price would have been nowhere near what Peoria Ford would have charged and probably still not fix the problem. Thank you, John, at Sundance Auto Service & Machine Shop for the great repair job.
Excellent
