5 Things to Never Do After A Car Accident

You often hear about the things you SHOULD do after a car accident, but what about the things you SHOULDN’T do?  Here are 5 things you should never do after an accident.

Leave the Scene

No one gets into a car accident at an optimal time.  You’re in your car, that means you’re going somewhere and you have an agenda, a fender bender is the not time friendly, let alone all of the other issues that arise with it.  But the worst thing you can do is leave the scene of an accident, whether you’re at fault or the victim.  Stay, take pictures, exchange information, and report it to law enforcement.  At the very least you should take pictures of both vehicles and exchange information before leaving.  You never know what has broken under the surface.

Forget to Call 911

You might think no one was injured in the accident, but it’s a very bad idea to not call 911.  You never know what issues may arise down the line.  People aren’t always aware of their injuries immediately.  Whiplash is something that can appear later.  It’s like the gym, you never hurt immediately after the gym, but a few hours later or the next day you can feel it.  Call the police and make a report.  That way you have some documentation later on if you feel any pain or if the other individual tries to make false claims.

Lose Your Cool

Like we said at the beginning, you’re probably on your way somewhere, you can’t be late, and now you’re stuck on the side of the road exchanging information.  Now there is damage to your car, you have to wait for the police to arrive – which can take ages – and you’re upset.  But it’s important to not lose your cool.  Stay calm and make sure everyone is alright after the event.  Be sure to stay in a good frame of mind, this will help you assess the situation and make smart actions that will help you later when dealing with repairs and the insurance company.

Forget Proper Documentation

Make sure that all of your necessary information is with you in your vehicle at all times.  Make sure your registration is signed, your insurance cards are up to date, and your license is with you.  It’s important to not forget to get proper documentation from the other party as well.  Make sure you get their contact information and their insurance information.  

Neglect the Aftermath

You were just in an accident, you don’t want to think of anything else. It’s exhausting, you’re possibly injured, and you have to repair or possibly replace your car.  But it’s important to follow up on everything that needs to be taken care of.  That might be legal advice, or medical advice, or vehicle repair.  Make sure you register your insurance claim as immediately as possible.  Many insurance companies will have time limits on when a claim can be filed.  Also, it’s important to remember you are able to send your car to any repair shop of your choosing.  Insurance companies will have their own recommendations because they might have relationships with the company but that doesn’t mean you will get the quality you deserve.  

We hope that you are able to avoid any and all car accidents, but if you find yourself in need of some vehicle repair, we hope you think of East End Body Shop in Huntington, West Virginia.

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