What to Do After a Car Accident?

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Car accidents can be unforeseen and stressful. You’re put into a situation you aren’t prepared for and expected to know what to do. To assist you through the adversities of a collision, Carlsbad Collision Center compiled some helpful steps to get you through as simply as possible. Our collision center in Carlsbad, CA, is available to complete an estimate or answer any questions you have. Simply give us a call at (760) 476-1027 or contact us online to schedule or discuss a future appointment.

What to Do After a Car Accident Checklist?

After a car accident, you may not feel completely in control, so the team at Carlsbad Collision Center crafted the following checklist to help you get through it. By following this list step by step, you’ll be able to smoothly complete a complicated situation.

1. Call the Police

After a collision, you want to get in contact with the local police department so that an accident report can be filed. By allowing an officer to complete a report, you will have access to the information if you need it when filing a claim with your insurance company.  

2. Be Calm & Present

In the aftermath of a car accident, your emotions may be running high and impeding your ability to think clearly. While you may be frustrated, it’s important to remain calm and present in the situation so that you can stay focused.

3. Do Not Admit Fault

If you are at fault or are unsure of whose fault the collision is, do not admit fault. When discussing the accident, if fault is brought up, do not openly debate. When an officer arrives on scene, they will review both sides of the story.

4. Use Your Cellphone Camera

Be sure to take pictures of the vehicle damage, skid marks, and pictures of the accident scene. If you can, be sure to try and snap a shot of the accident before moving the vehicles. Your cellphone camera can also record interactions between you and the other driver involved in the accident.

5. Call Insurance Agent

Once you have all the necessary information about the accident and the other driver, call your insurance agent. They will review the accident report and evidence and get back to you with their decision.

6. Find the Right Collision Center
When it’s time to have the damage repaired, be sure to choose a certified collision center for your vehicle’s needs. Carlsbad Collision Center works with certified technicians as well as a collision center loaded with innovative technology. Leave our collision center in Carlsbad, CA, with a car, truck, or SUV that looks good as new.

What to Do After a Minor Car Accident?

Have you been in a fender bender? Maybe you and another car skidded against each other? The following list details the key factors that you must remember when in a minor collision.

1. Exchange Information
After the minor car accident, be sure to swap information like names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s licenses, and insurance companies. When taking pictures of the accident, don’t forget to capture the license plate number as well as the make and model of the vehicle.
2. Report the Damage
You can involve the police to file an accident report and then report the damages to your insurance company. Your insurance company will review the claim and get back to you once they’ve reviewed the evidence.