5 Things to do after you're in a car crash to get back on the road fast

by RobertKeith

In the United States, millions of car crashes happen annually because most drive don't understand highway safety rules.

After these accidents occur on busy highways, most people panic. As a result, they make impractical decisions that impact the process of getting a damaged vehicle back on the road. If you want to use your automobile quickly and avoid legal problems after you're involved in an accident, there are several steps that you must follow.

1. Observe and Protect the Environment

Immediately after someone smashes your car, you shouldn't try to leave the scene. Instead, you should step out of your vehicle in order to observe the situation. If another driver taps your car and creates a dent, you should still stop and observe the scene because a lawyer can't build a solid case without proper evidence, which is typically found in the area where a crash occurred. 

After you're out of your vehicle, you'll need to protect the scene by placing flares in strategic spots on the ground. During this process, ensure that your flashers are on because they will boost awareness and keep you protected as another cars on the highway drive by your vehicle. If the flashers were damaged in the collision, shine a flashlight while scattering flares around the car. 

In need of car repair?
In need of car repair?

2. Contact and Work With the Police

Police officers can help out a lot following a collision, so you should use a phone and call them. When the officers arrive, you might have to file a police report. This report is important as it can help you complete the insurance claim process. 

While you're creating a report, ensure that all of the information is accurate. Throughout this process, you must never speculate or try to guess what happened because incorrect information could hurt your case. For example, if an officer asks about injuries, simply describe your pain as accurately as possible. If you're not sure whether or not you have broken bones, don't discuss it until you visit a medical clinic or a hospital. 

Cops fully understand how to protect a crash scene, and they can quickly determine whether or not evidence is present. In most cases, you shouldn't move a car after a crash happens because any changes could affect an investigation. However, if a cop tells you that your car is going to interfere with traffic, you must take proper steps to move it to another spot on the road. 

3. Take Photos and Share Information

Once you're done talking to the police officers, walk around the car and take pictures of the damages. The camera's design won't matter; however, the pixel count can impact how crisp and clear the pictures will be after they're taken. Since most cell phones are equipped with a quality camera, the process of snapping practical pictures on dents and dings with a smart phone won't be challenging. The only thing you'll need to consider is the lighting as intense sunlight or a sudden flash of light can create glare. In order to prevent glare, simply hold your camera in a spot that's away from the sun or oncoming cars. 

If you're unable to work with police officers immediately following an accident, you must try to gather information from the other individual who caused the accident. You'll need the person's name, phone number, residential address, and insurance information. If several drivers were involved, you must collect information from these individuals as well, and you'll also need information from witnesses. The witnesses' information is very important because your lawyer may need to work with these individuals while building a case. 

Police officers always share information about all reports that were filed. In order to obtain your report, you'll need to get the police report number from the investigating officer. If the collision happened on a major highway, you'll need to contact a state police officer to obtain the report. 

4. Contact the Insurance Company and Get Medical Attention

All insurance companies have different polices for collisions. However, a typical agency will have terms that involve immediate reporting, which is why motorists should never delay filing a claim following an automobile accident. 

If your medical insurance plan has medpay, you'll need to provide information about your medical bills to the insurance company. Upon sharing these information, your insurer will cover the medical costs as medpay is a unique coverage option that's designed specifically for hospital bills. The only disadvantage is that you can exhaust this coverage if the medical bills are greater than the medpay limit. 

5. Get Repairs

After you have money from your insurance company, you can pursue repairs. Depending on your car's condition, you may need minor or major automobile repair services. The main repair options for a vehicle that isn't severely wrecked include: 

  • Fender repair: When a car smashes the side of a vehicle's frame, the impact usually leaves a ding or dent. The degree of the damage varies depending on the material that's used to make a vehicle's housing. Automotive body types range from steel to carbon fiber, and each material requires special care.
  • Bumper repair: Bumper damage can make a car less appealing on the road because the housing typically hangs and moves in the wind. Bumper repair technicians fix bumpers that drag, and they also erase scratches, chips, and other flaws.
  • Panel and paint services: Panel and paint services can be used when a car has a bent frame or chipped paint. During the panel repair process, strategic steps are taken to enhance unappealing zones, and the painting phase helps technicians make a dull, scratched housing look like new. Because Brisbane panel and paint crews have access to many commercial-grade shades of paint, the process a matching a vehicle's factory paint isn't a hassle.



If a car has severe damage that affects key mechanical hardware, an automobile crew will have to replace or repair the transmission, engine, or some other motorized component. Depending on the age of a vehicle, the overall repair time will vary. Typically, when a car is fairly new, an automotive crew completes a project faster since the required parts are readily available.

Updated: 08/23/2018, RobertKeith
 
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DerdriuMarriner on 10/03/2018

RobertKeith, Thank you for the practical information and links. Is it common or uncommon for insurance companies not to include driver pick-up in towing clauses?

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