What to Do After a Car Accident

No matter what kind of car accident you find yourself in around St. Simons, it is a stressful situation for all involved. It throws off your daily plans and now you’re responsible for taking care of yourself and the vehicle at the same time. So, you might be wondering what to do after a car accident? You’ll want to find a car accident insurance claim, however, depending on the severity of the situation, there are other steps you’ll need to take. Learn more about how to file a car insurance claim and how to get yourself prepared to get back on the road after a car accident with the service experts at Nalley GMC!

What to Do After a Car Accident: Minor vs. Major Accidents 

As mentioned before, car accidents can be difficult to navigate at the moment and you want to familiarize yourself with how to respond to minor vs. major accidents. Minor collisions may often involve only two cars and can range from small scratches to a fender bender, however, major accidents can involve more drivers at higher speeds and result in harsher damage to the car and those behind the wheel. While a minor accident may enable you to easily file a car accident insurance claim, this might have to take a pause during major accidents to ensure everyone is safe and taken care of. Here are the steps for each below:

Minor Accidents

1. The first step should always be checking whether you or your passengers need medical attention. Call for an ambulance if there are injuries that need professional treatment. 
2. If you are ok to do so, pull your vehicle over to a safe location. Stay close to the scene of the accident, but try not to block traffic if possible. 
3. Call the police. Having an official documented report may be required by your insurance provider.
4. Exchange contact information. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and the insurance policy information of the other driver(s) involved. Take a photo of everyone’s driver’s license, license plate numbers, and insurance cards. Don’t forget to get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. 
5. Document the damage to all vehicles involved. Take detailed photos of the damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicle or vehicles involved. If you can get a photo of the accident scene, it can also be beneficial to do so. 
6. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. When you do, the claims process can begin.

Major Accidents

1. Call 911 right away. If the collision has resulted in serious injuries, alert emergency personnel or have someone call on your behalf right away. It is likely that the police will come along with an ambulance to take a look at the scene and assess the damage. If you are receiving medical attention, you may not be able to document the accident and get all the information that you need. The police will likely collect the information that you need, so it is important to follow up with them to get the information required by your insurance provider. 
2. Contact your insurance provider. Get in touch with your insurance provider even if someone else filed a claim for you while you were being treated for your injuries. They will ask you for more information about the accident to properly compensate those who were involved. 
3. Follow up with your physician. Make an appointment with your doctor if you are still experiencing any medical issues following the accident. 

How to File a Car Insurance Claim

When it’s time to file a car accident insurance claim, the insurance adjuster will provide you with an estimated value of the costs for your vehicle. This is often done by submitting photos of the vehicle and other information like your police report from the accident. As you complete the steps on how to file an insurance claim, be sure to have the following information on hand:

• Your insurance policy number
• A 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)

Trust Our Collision Center at Nalley GMC

Now that you know more about how to file a car accident insurance claim, you can be best prepared for when the unexpected happens. You can also ensure your vehicle is ready to get back on the road with the help of our service and parts teams at Nalley GMC. We offer plenty of rotating specials and coupons to help you save on the maintenance you need most. Contact us today for more information and to schedule an appointment at our repair center here in Brunswick!