Do you know what happens even after the most minor auto collision?

I was recently in a minor auto collision near my home. As I was stopped at a red light and out of nowhere, a man smashed into the rear-end of my vehicle. I sustained significant damage, but luckily, neither myself nor the person driving the vehicle had any injuries.

Prior to this collision, I felt invincible because of how good of a driver I thought I was. It was a brutal wake-up call when I finally came to the realization that: it’s not just about me. There are other motorists on the road who aren’t paying attention and driving with distractions. The only silver lining I have from this is the experience I’ve gained on the processes and procedures a company or individual must endure even when a minor collision occurs. I want to share the invaluable information that I’ve gained so that you know the steps you need to take once a collision occurs:  

Step 1. Immediately after the accident occurs, check to make sure you are okay and that it is safe to exit the vehicle. Once this is determined, immediately dial 9-1-1. If you are injured, dispatch will send an ambulance to your location. Upon arrival, police will take an incident report to try and piece together what happened and who was “at fault” and determine if a tow truck is necessary. The police will take pictures with their phones and I encourage you to do the same for the insurance company.  

Step 2. Each party must notify their insurance company of the event. They are asked a series of questions by a claimant’s representative, such as: where you were when the accident occurred, what date/time the accident occurred, and what was your memory of the incident, etc. Most insurance companies will also ask you if you have a shop you would like to take the vehicle to or if you need a recommended one inf your area. If you do not have a preference, they direct you to shops in your area that are within their network.

Step3. The insurance company sends an adjuster to the auto body shop to assess the damage to the vehicle. Based on this assessment they decide what is covered and the amount in which they are willing to pay.

Step 4. The vehicle is repaired and a rent a car is given to the client.

The entire process takes around 15 days but, in some cases, can take up to 45. It is an inconvenient and stressful time and It’s easy to be overwhelmed with the follow-ups, paperwork and phone calls that must be made to ensure proper protocol is adhered to. You are under a tight timeline to accomplish the necessary steps.

The best advice that I can give is to be prepared for the unknown. Every year when you are up for renewal make sure you ask questions. Have your broker give you the numbers of a towing company and auto body shop in your local area that’s within their network to ensure everything is covered and to avoid any future issues or complications. Always call the police to protect yourself and make sure you receive a copy of the full police report as soon as possible. Police reports are important to determine who is at fault and to capture the other individual(s) involved information. Unfortunately, we live in a litigious society and it’s imperative to have an accurate account of the accident.

For more information on road safety and how to reduce your premiums, visit us online at www.safedrivesystems.com.