What Happens After an Auto Collision?

One minute you can be enjoying a trip to the grocery store. The next, you could be on the side of the road wondering what the heck happened. Auto collisions typically come out of nowhere. We don't expect them, and the results are often devastating. Though, if you've never been in an auto accident, it is good to be prepared for the what-ifs. Take a look at what you should do following an auto collision.
 
 
Get Medical Care
 
Before you do anything, you should consider getting medical care even if you're not feeling extremely in pain or have noticeable signs. It's good to get checked out by a physician. There are issues that could be an underlying factor and could contribute to serious complications—for example, internal bleeding. You wouldn't be able to see it, but it can be fatal. For smaller accidents like fender benders, more often than not, people don't go to the doctor. For serious collisions, you should certainly call an ambulance or have someone take you to the hospital.
 
 
Assess Damages
 
If you're not seriously injured, you'll want to assess the damage that has happened to your vehicle. This is often what most people are worried about following their bodily harm. Injuries to the vehicle can include dents, dings, paint and perfections, things out of place, alignment problems, and much more. If at all possible, take pictures of the accident, including not only the car but a full view of the scene. These will be helpful in determining who was at the fall and if insurance will pay for a claim.
 
 
Talk With Insurance/ Schedule Repairs
 
After you've assessed needing auto repair, you'll need to talk to your insurance company. This is where you will request a claim. The insurance company may send out an adjuster to determine whether or not the car is eligible and how much repairs are allotted. They will then give you the number to the body shop that is in their network.
 
The process of repair can take a few days or more than a week. It will depend on the severity of repairs, availability of parts, and what your auto body technician will need to do. In some cases, you'll need to rent a vehicle while repairs are being made. This may or may not be covered by your insurance. Different policies cover different features. It is important to look over your insurance policy to make sure it meets your needs. Should you want a rental car free of charge when it comes to having an accident, you should add this feature to your plan.