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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

Chris helped me with my vehicle, and he was thorough, professional and very helpful! We highly recommend this business, as they have exceptional customer service!

General Services, near Clovis, New Hampshire

, 06/23/2022

We came in to have our car fixed and since then our car has ran well!

Clovis, CA

, 07/21/2020

Blessed to have come upon this shop. My family and I were on a road trip from New York and our car broke down near Clovis at 8pm on Friday. Our Honda Odyssey couldn't take the hilly up and downs of the Cali hills. AAA towed us to this shop but since it was late we would have to wait till the morning to talk to anyone about the work. The shop says it's only open weekdays and Saturday by appt. So we decided we would come in the morning and possibly someone would be there working. We came back the next morning and John was there. He is a very generous and caring man. He decided to look at our car to see what's wrong and ended up helping us out. The day before, we already were thinking the road trip is down and out, and the super old car is dead. Everything was amazing, from the service to the conversations. Huge thank you to John!!

, 07/20/2020

We've gone to Circle Automotive a few times, and each time we received excellent service with a friendly staff.

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