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
I've been very pleased with the service and the scheduling for getting regular maintenance as well as unscheduled repairs that need to be done. The owner, Tommy, is very personable and explains as well shows you what work needs to be done and gives you an option on when you need or want to pay for it to be done or if you want to wait until it really has to be done. He's very knowledgeable and tries to work with you on getting the best prices for your parts as well as overly considerable about service prices. I was recommended by my cousin and I was pleased, so I recommend him to others as well for Honda especially vehicles. He does have a lot of work, because he is very dependable. Sometimes I wish he would get a little more rest.
I have a really old car. 1998 Honda Civic 5 speed. Tommy & Ryan keep my car running like new. They recently replaced all my hoses for me to be sure my car was seaworthy to go out of town. Just got back Friday from a 3 day trip to Moncks Corner SC, including a day trip to Isle of Palms SC. My car did beautifully with no problem whatsoever. I trust them for all my maintenance & repair needs. They are awesome.
Car & Truck Care, near Columbia, South Carolina
I've been going to Tommy since I bought my first Honda Odyssey minivan. I later bought my wife a CRV and all 3 of my children Honda's. I've trusted him to keep their cars safe traveling back and forth from high school through college. Tommy and Ryan keeps me up to date on scheduled maintenance and tells me details on the health of my vehicle. He's upfront on all of the costs. He's very friendly and personable. If there were more people in the world like Tommy, the world would be a better place.
We have been taking our Hondas to Barnhill Automotive for many years,15 Years. Tommy and Ryan do an excellent job. They are thorough and reasonable with all of their work. I will only drive Hondas because of the peace of mind that I have with the top notch service at Barnhill Automotive. I would highly recommend this business.
