What to Do After an Accident - Austin Car Repair
Getting into a car accident is a stressful ordeal, both physically and emotionally. Despite being consistently voted as one of the best cities to live in, Austin is considered one of the worst cities to drive in according to Allstate's analysis of drivers' reports [http://searchchicago.suntimes.com/autos/545282,srch-auto-worstcities.article]. What's so troublesome about a car wreck is that it can happen at any moment. Even if you're being a good driver, you do not have control over other drivers on the road and additional elements like bad weather, worn tires or debris in the road. Unfortunately, most of us at some point in our lives will have to deal with this unfortunate situation. The best way to minimize the amount of stress and hassle you experience after a car accident in Austin [http://www.customcarcrafters.com/step.html] is to be as prepared as possible. Knowing how to deal with a car accident before it occurs will help you to better maintain a clearer presence of mind amid the chaos and enable you to go through the proper steps once the accident occurs.
First and foremost, immediately after the accident, you need to take stock of the situation and check to see if anyone is injured or requires medical attention. If someone requires medical attention, immediately call 911 and then tend to the victim. Do not try to move the victim unless the car is smoking or there is imminent risk of fire. Wait for the Austin paramedics to arrive to move the individual. It is a good idea to carry an emergency first aid kit in your vehicle so that you will be prepared to do what you need to tend to injuries until the paramedics arrive.
If your accident is a minor one like a fender bender and there are no injuries involved, at this point you can move on to examining the actual extent of the damage done to your car and of the other individual's involved. At this time your emotions may be running high and you or the other person involved may be angry. It is important that you remain calm and coherent during this time in order to help facilitate this process as smooth and quickly as possible.
It is essential that you gather as much information and evidence from the accident as possible. Take as many pictures as you can of the accident and damage from different angles. Most cell phones come equipped with cameras nowadays, but in case you do not have a camera phone it is wise to carry a disposable camera in your glove box for such an occasion. You should also look for witnesses of the event and jot down their names and contact information should you need their assistance clarifying what actually happened if there is a dispute between you and the other party involved as to what happened.
You should then get the information from the other driver or drivers who were involved. The chief information hat you need to be sure and obtain include the individual's name, phone number, address, make and model of their vehicle as well as their license plate number and vehicle identification number.
Once this information has been acquired it is time to file a police report. Regardless of how minor an accident is, you still need to get the police involved, especially if you are having difficulty obtaining the necessary information from an uncooperative third party, the Austin police will assist you. Filing a police report will make it easier for you to file a claim. If it is no longer necessary to contact the officials, you should at least go to the local Austin police station and make a report just to have it on the record.
Finally, you need to make a call to your insurance agent or to their emergency hot line. If possible, make this call at the scene of the accident with police present. The police will be able to help explain the situation and provide your insurance agency with accurate information, which can help speed up your claims request down the road.
After you have taken all of these steps, you will likely need to contact an Austin car repair shop. Call the repair professionals at Custom Car Crafters. These Austin repair technicians are familiar with all the insurance procedures and will further help you through this process and return your vehicle to you as good as new.
The most important thing to remember is to keep your cool and don't panic. Car accidents are scary and can certainly shake up your nerves and this is understandable. Just do your best to not let emotions overtake you and focus on the task at hand so that you can do what you need to do.
First and foremost, immediately after the accident, you need to take stock of the situation and check to see if anyone is injured or requires medical attention. If someone requires medical attention, immediately call 911 and then tend to the victim. Do not try to move the victim unless the car is smoking or there is imminent risk of fire. Wait for the Austin paramedics to arrive to move the individual. It is a good idea to carry an emergency first aid kit in your vehicle so that you will be prepared to do what you need to tend to injuries until the paramedics arrive.
If your accident is a minor one like a fender bender and there are no injuries involved, at this point you can move on to examining the actual extent of the damage done to your car and of the other individual's involved. At this time your emotions may be running high and you or the other person involved may be angry. It is important that you remain calm and coherent during this time in order to help facilitate this process as smooth and quickly as possible.
It is essential that you gather as much information and evidence from the accident as possible. Take as many pictures as you can of the accident and damage from different angles. Most cell phones come equipped with cameras nowadays, but in case you do not have a camera phone it is wise to carry a disposable camera in your glove box for such an occasion. You should also look for witnesses of the event and jot down their names and contact information should you need their assistance clarifying what actually happened if there is a dispute between you and the other party involved as to what happened.
You should then get the information from the other driver or drivers who were involved. The chief information hat you need to be sure and obtain include the individual's name, phone number, address, make and model of their vehicle as well as their license plate number and vehicle identification number.
Once this information has been acquired it is time to file a police report. Regardless of how minor an accident is, you still need to get the police involved, especially if you are having difficulty obtaining the necessary information from an uncooperative third party, the Austin police will assist you. Filing a police report will make it easier for you to file a claim. If it is no longer necessary to contact the officials, you should at least go to the local Austin police station and make a report just to have it on the record.
Finally, you need to make a call to your insurance agent or to their emergency hot line. If possible, make this call at the scene of the accident with police present. The police will be able to help explain the situation and provide your insurance agency with accurate information, which can help speed up your claims request down the road.
After you have taken all of these steps, you will likely need to contact an Austin car repair shop. Call the repair professionals at Custom Car Crafters. These Austin repair technicians are familiar with all the insurance procedures and will further help you through this process and return your vehicle to you as good as new.
The most important thing to remember is to keep your cool and don't panic. Car accidents are scary and can certainly shake up your nerves and this is understandable. Just do your best to not let emotions overtake you and focus on the task at hand so that you can do what you need to do.
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