Right after a serious car accident, you can feel confused and stressed due to what has happened. Your windshield may be broken, your bumper dislodged and your door could be smashed. In such cases, do you know what to do? Do you know which things to prioritize? With the shock of the incident, you might not be able to think straight and that is normal.
Although we do not wish to be in an accident on anyone, it is still best to be prepared for such incidents. The best preparation is to know what to do in case you meet an accident that totally wrecks your car. Here are the things to keep in mind:
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ToggleWith whatever car accident you meet, the first thing you should prioritize is your safety as well as the safety of your passengers. Your health is most important. Check yourself for injuries. Also, check your passengers for any injuries. Call 911 for help or you could also ask a bystander to call 911 for you.
If you can move, then it would be best to stay on the sidewalk or side of the road. Sometimes, the car could still be driven to the side of the road. If not, then just leave it there and get yourself plus your other passengers out of the way.
Once you’ve called for help, you just have to wait for it. You could also call the police so they can get to you and make a report about the accident. Calling your insurance provider and a towing company you trust should also be done. If there is another driver involved, you could exchange information with them while you wait for the help to arrive.
The driver at fault may still not be clear at this point so you still don’t know who would pay for the damages. This is something you shouldn’t worry too much about at the moment. The most important thing is to worry about your condition. Additionally, you also need your car towed and moved out of the way.
In some cases, the police may be able to help you with the towing company to tow your vehicle. They might be in contract with a local towing company or they could also call the nearest one. If you have preferences, now is the time to speak up so that you won’t end up getting charged excessively.
The best way to protect yourself is to have complete documentation. You should get to know the police officers that responded. Get a copy of the accident report because it is very likely that your insurance provider will ask you for a copy of your claim.
Take pictures of your car and the other cars involved too. Make sure you capture in different angles to completely show the extent of the damage. These photos can also be shared to your insurer for further completion of the documentation.
Once your preferred towing company arrives, you have to decide where to take your vehicle. If you don’t know where to place it, it will be taken to the impound lot or to the location of the towing company. Be mindful that they will charge fees depending on how long your car stays there.
You may also want to have your car directly brought to the shop of your preference. Just take note of the repair shops that your insurance provider works with or else you might end up paying for the repairs by yourself.
You may call up your insurer while waiting for the police or help to arrive. In this way, they could also instruct you on what to do. You may also opt to call the insurance company after your car has been towed to its destination. There, they can determine whether the car is totaled and what steps you should take next.
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