What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents, no matter how major or minor, are stressful, traumatic events for all those involved. In the moment, it can be hard to know what exactly to do, and you may not know exactly how to proceed afterward. That’s where Sterling Acura of Austin comes in! Our team has put together a guide outlining exactly what to do after a car accident, including information about dealing with a car accident insurance claim. Should the worst happen and you get into an accident in Kyle, we want you to be as prepared as possible. Check out the guide below, then find more finance and insurance tips from our team!

What to Do After a Car Accident Checklist

Minor Accidents

Minor accidents include fender-benders, rear-ending, and other incidents where there’s generally minimal injury or damage. After a minor accident, here’s what to do:

1. Check to see if anyone involved needs medical attention; if so, call 911 and get an ambulance right away.
2. Pull your vehicle over to a safe spot where you aren’t blocking traffic, but stay close to the scene of the accident.
3. Call the police, even if the other driver(s) involved says you don’t need to call them. Your insurance may require an official report to be documented – even if they don’t, it’s good to have the accident be recorded on paper.
4. Exchange contact information, including insurance information, with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. You should also try to get photos of everyone’s driver’s license, license plate number, and insurance card, as well as the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
5. Carefully document the damage to your vehicle with detailed photos of everything.
6. Call your insurance provider as soon as possible to get the claims process starting.

Major Accidents

Major accidents involve significant damage, injuries, or in the very worst cases, fatalities. Some of the steps involved after a major accident are similar to a minor accident, but many are different. Here’s what you should do:

1. Call 911 right away to get an ambulance and the police to the scene of the accident as soon as possible.
2. Contact your insurance provider, even if someone close to you talked to them on your behalf while you were receiving medical attention. Give them as detailed information as possible about the accident so everyone can be properly compensated.
3. Follow up with your physician frequently, especially if you’re still feeling pain after being treated by emergency personnel.

Filing a Car Accident Insurance Claim

No matter the type of accident, you’ll want to file a car accident insurance claim afterwards so you can be properly compensated. The steps will differ a bit depending on your provider and coverage, but you’ll need the following materials no matter what:

• 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)

After gathering the necessary items, you’ll have your car evaluated by an insurance adjuster, who will determine the cost of repairs, coverage, and more. The photos and police report should be sufficient, but you can also plan a meeting to have your car inspected by the insurance company in person.

Sterling Acura of Austin Is Here To Help

If you need repairs done on your car following a minor or major accident, the service center at Sterling Acura of Austin is here to help! You can schedule an appointment right from our website or contact us to get you set up, and we’ll have you back on the San Marcos roads in no time. Feel free to reach out with any questions, or for more information about the services we offer.