What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents can be scary or traumatic, even when they’re small! That’s why it’s so important to be prepared. Knowing what to do after a car accident will help you stay calm and focus on what really matters–the health and safety of those involved.

Here at United BMW, we want to do everything we can to make these incidents less stressful. Find out what you should do in the immediate moments following the collision, and then learn how to file a car accident insurance claim with United BMW. As always, you should feel free to contact us with any questions on your mind.

What to Do After a Car Accident: Minor

Fender-benders and parking lot collisions are among the most common minor car accidents. Here are the steps you should take when the force of the collision is relatively minor:

• Check to see if anyone needs medical attention. If so, call 911 immediately.
• Pull your vehicle over. Don’t go too far from the scene, or the incident may be treated as a hit and run. Pull over and do your best to avoid blocking traffic.
• Most insurance companies won’t process a claim without a police report. Make sure you’re covering all your bases.
• Exchange information with the other driver. Swap phone numbers, email, and insurance policy info immediately, or risk getting burned. Take photos of the other drivers’ license, plate numbers, and insurance cards. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact info, too.
• Photograph both vehicles and the scene as a whole. Take photos of any damages, including any damages caused to your surroundings.
• Call your insurance to file a car accident insurance claim. The sooner the claims process begins, the sooner you’ll receive reimbursement to fix your vehicle.

What to Do After a Car Accident: Major

Hopefully, you’ll never be in a major car accident in Johns Creek. But if so, follow these steps after a major car accident:

• Call 911 immediately. If you or someone else is seriously injured, call or ask someone to call an ambulance. The police will also arrive to access the damage. If you cannot obtain information from the other driver due to an immediate need for medical attention, follow up later to make sure you have all the information you need.
• Follow up on your car accident insurance claim. If you file a claim, or if someone else filed the claim on your behalf, be sure to follow up with your insurance provider in case they need additional information.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim

Even though the process varies depending on your provider, your coverage, and the type of accident that has occurred, learning how to file a car accident insurance claim is generally a simple process. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Mark down your insurance policy number.
• Include a detailed description, from your point of view, of how the accident happened.
• Make sure to detail the date, time, and location of the accident.
• Provide any and all the contact and insurance information that you collected from the other driver. Do the same for any witnesses who were present on the scene.
• Provide the name of the police department involved, and include the police report number (if a report was filed).

After this information is submitted, an insurance adjuster will estimate the cost of repairs. If the information isn’t sufficient, you might have to schedule a meeting to have your car inspected. It’s best to be as thorough as possible from the get-go.

Secure Repairs at the United Collision Center

Remember: no insurance provider can dictate the process by which you secure repairs. You choose the location where your repairs will take place, so make sure to work with experts who really understand how your vehicle works! Whether you drive with BMW or another make, you can rely on the United Collision Center in Duluth, GA.

Trust the Service Team at United BMW

Now that you know what to do after a car accident, you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way in Roswell or Marietta. The United Collision Center is here to help with any major body repairs, and our service center is here to help with just about everything else! Schedule a service appointment if you’re in need of regular maintenance or part repair, and make sure to take advantage of our service specials. Have any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out.