What to Do After a Car Accident

A car accident can bring your world to a stop and leave everyone involved in a state of shock, whether the accident is major or minor. That’s why it’s important to know what to do after an accident before one even occurs. The more familiar you are with the right steps the less you’ll have to think about what to do if you’re ever involved in an accident. Read this short guide to learn what to do after an accident, including how to file a car accident insurance claim, and contact the finance department at Ray Laethem Buick GMC, Inc. with any questions you have after reading. 

What to Do After a Car Accident Checklist

Of course, not every auto accident is the same, and you must operate according to the situation to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If the accident is a minor one, after you check yourself and your passengers and see that everyone is okay, pull your vehicle off the road if it’s still operable. Even in minor accidents, it’s a good idea to call the police for a couple of reasons:

• Emotions are running high
• It’s important to get a police report for your and your insurance company’s record
• The police can create a perimeter around the scene of the accident and prevent further collisions

Once the authorities have arrived, fill out a police report and exchange personal information with the other driver. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of your vehicle’s damage and the scene of the accident. Next, notify your insurance company of the accident so they can begin the car accident insurance claim process. 

Major accidents must be handled differently as they often involve serious injuries or fatalities. After a serious accident, the first priority is to call 911 right away. Once the first responders arrive, tell them as much about the accident as possible. Once you’re in a condition to, you need to contact your insurance company right away to notify them of your accident and keep track of all your medical bills stemming from the accident. Also, continue following up with your physicians to expedite the recovery process.

How to File a Car Accident Insurance Claim

If you’re wondering how to file a car insurance claim, the process isn’t difficult, but understanding the process makes it simpler. Here’s the information you’ll need to have handy when filing a car accident insurance claim:

• Your insurance policy number
• Detailed description of how the accident occurred
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• All the collected contact and insurance information from other involved parties
• Name of the police department involved, as well as the police report number (if applicable)

From here, you’ll have your vehicle evaluated by an insurance adjuster who will help you estimate the cost of your repairs, coverage, and more. If the photos and police report are not sufficient, you may have to plan a meeting to have your vehicle inspected in person.

If the other driver is at fault their insurance company will be responsible for vehicle repairs and medical bills, and if you’re at fault, your insurance company will have to foot the bill. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to assess the damage to your vehicle, estimate the cost of repairs, and reward the damages due to you for your property damage and medical bills. 

Let Ray Laethem Buick GMC, Inc. Help You Get Back on the Road

Another part of the recovery process is getting back on the Detroit streets, and helping people do just that is our specialty at Ray Laethem Buick GMC, Inc.. Schedule an appointment with our certified service center technicians to get the parts and services your car needs to get back to running smoothly or check out our new vehicle inventory to see if anything catches your eye.