What to Do After a Car Accident

Whether your vehicle has been involved in a minor fender-bender or a major collision, you’ll need to know what to do after a car accident, how to file a car insurance claim, and where to repair your car after an accident. Being involved in any kind of car accident is stressful, especially when the vehicle has sustained damage and is in need of urgent repair. This guide from the finance team at Bell And Bell GMC will walk you through the steps on who you should call, how to complete and file a car accident insurance claim, and where to get your vehicle repaired.

What to Do After a Minor Accident

Here’s what to do if you’ve been in an accident where there is only a small amount of damage to the vehicles involved:

1. Check to see if you are injured or need medical attention. You should also check the condition of any other passengers. If anyone is injured, you should call an ambulance immediately.
2. Pull your vehicle off to the sideof the road if you are able, and when it is safe to do so.
3. Call the police once your car is in a safe spot, even if the other driver or drivers involved tell you not to. Most insurance companies will require a police report of the accident.
4. Exchange information with the other driver. This includes phone numbers, email addresses, insurance cards, license plate numbers, and, if possible, a photo of everyone’s driver’s licenses.
5. Assess the damage to your vehicle as well as the damage to the other vehicle. If possible, take photos of both vehicles and the area where the accident occurred.
6. Call your insurance provider. Even though they will receive a police report of the accident, it’s important you get the details to them as soon as possible.

What to Do After a Major Accident

Here are the steps you should take if there has been considerable damage to the vehicles involved and/or serious injuries:

1. Call 911 for an ambulance right away. You shouldn’t bother to document the accident scene if you or another person require immediate medical attention. 911 will send an ambulance and the police, who will document the scene and gather information.
2. Contact your insurance provider and describe all the details regarding the accident.
3. Follow up with your physician even if you feel as though you came out of the accident unscathed. There could be injuries that are not readily apparent.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim

Just as important as knowing what to do after an accident is knowing how to file a car insurance claim. This should be relatively easy and straightforward as long as you have the following:

• Your insurance policy number
• All the contact and insurance information from other involved parties
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• A detailed description of how the accident occurred
• Name of the police department involved, as well as the police report number if available

Once you file an insurance claim, your vehicle will be inspected by an adjuster for repair costs, compensation, and more. You may need to physically bring your vehicle in to be inspected if the details you are able to provide are not viewed as sufficient enough to properly assess. After your vehicle has been inspected, you’ll receive an estimate on the cost of repairs and the amount that your insurance company will cover.

Where to Repair a Car After an Accident

If your vehicle has been damaged in an accident on North Myrtle Beach-area roads, your insurance company may recommend a repair shop. Do you have to go to the recommended shop? No, you can take the vehicle to any repair shop you choose. The Collision and Body Shop at Bell And Bell GMC, for example, is staffed by certified technicians who have the skill and expertise to restore your vehicle to its pre-collision condition. Our team uses only genuine GM and ACDelco parts when repairing your vehicle, so you can have confidence that they will provide the same structural integrity and quality as those that were factory-installed.The professionals in our Collision and Body Shop will also handle any paperwork required by your insurance provider.

Get Expert Auto Body Repair and Advice at Bell And Bell GMC

Have any further questions on what to do after a car accident, how to file a car insurance claim, or where to repair your car after an accident? Feel free to contact us at Bell And Bell GMC. Need auto body repair work done on your vehicle? We offer professional collision repair, and we’ll get you back on the roads in and around Conway and Myrtle Beach with your vehicle looking like new again. Stop by our dealership in Little River to learn more.

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