What to Do After a Car Accident

No matter how grave, car accidents are consistently jarring, and can even be traumatic. Knowing what to do after an accident is important for every Asheville driver, and if you know beforehand it can make the event less upsetting. Being prepared will help reduce anxiety, and allow you to feel more in control. Learn how to file a car insurance claim or car accident insurance claim from the expert team at the Apple Tree Honda service center.

What to Do After a Car Accident Checklist

Minor Accidents

A minor car accident is generally something like a fender-bender at an intersection in Hendersonville, or someone backing into your car at a parking lot. When you’ve been in a minor car accident, do the following:

1. First and foremost, check to see if you or your passengers need medical attention. If so, call an ambulance right away.
2. If you’re in stable condition, pull your vehicle over to a safe spot. You don’t want to stray too far from the scene of the accident, but you also don’t want to block traffic.
3. Call the police. Even if the other driver suggests that you don’t need the police for a minor accident, you should still call. It’s best to have an official report documented, and your insurance company may require it.
4. Exchange contact information. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and the insurance policy information of the other driver(s) involved. It’s also important to get a photo of everyone’s driver’s licenses, license plate numbers, and insurance cards. If there were any witnesses to the accident, you should also ask for their contact information.
5. Document your vehicle’s damage. Take detailed photos of the damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicle or vehicles involved. If possible, you should also get a photo of the accident scene.
6. Call your insurance provider. The sooner you tell them the details of the accident, the sooner the claims process can begin.

Major Accidents

A major accident is characterized by having been serious injuries, or even fatalities, caused by the accident. When you’ve been in a major accident, you should do the following:

1. Call 911 right away. If you’re seriously injured, you should alert emergency personnel or have someone call on your behalf immediately. The police should come along with an ambulance to assess the scene and damage. If you need immediate medical attention and cannot document important information on your own, the police will likely have considered this. However, it’s always important to follow up to ensure you have all the information you need.
2. Contact your insurance provider. Even if someone already filed the claim on your behalf while you were receiving medical attention, you should follow up with your insurance provider. You’ll need to give them more information about the accident to ensure everyone is properly compensated.
3. Follow up with your physician. If you’re still feeling any pain after the accident and after being treated by emergency personnel, you should visit your regular physician for additional help.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim

If you need to file a car accident insurance claim, don’t worry. It’s relatively straightforward. The process will likely differ somewhat depending on your provider and coverage, but overall the process is almost universal. So how to file a car insurance claim? Gather the following, and then contact your insurance provider:

• 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)

Once you’ve collected all these materials, an insurance adjuster will evaluate your vehicle to determine the estimated cost of your repairs, coverage, and more. If you need more than the photos and police report, you may have to schedule a meeting to have your vehicle inspected in person.

Apple Tree Honda Can Get You Back on the Road

When you’re ready to get back on Johnson City streets, you can rely on the Apple Tree Honda body shop and service center to help you! Just schedule service with us and we’ll get you back up and running right away. Since we’re a factory-certified auto repair shop, we can work seamlessly with most insurance companies! Still have questions? Feel free to contact us and we can answer them!