5 Things to Do If You’ve Had a Car Accident (Before Visiting an Auto Body Shop

Being involved in a car accident, however minor, can leave you shaken, bewildered, and unsure of what to do next. But, taking the right action immediately can also work to protect your safety, your legal rights, and your vehicle. Before departing to visit an auto repair shop, make sure you’ve done these five important things:

Prioritize Safety First

Immediately, check yourself and passengers for wounds. If a person is badly injured, call emergency services at once. If your vehicles are operational and you can safely do so, push them onto the side of the road to avoid further danger or traffic buildup. Turn on your hazard lights and, if you have them, put out cones or warning triangles to alert other drivers.

Call the Police

No matter how minor the accident is, it’s always best to report it to the police. A police report is a written record of the accident that comes in handy when making insurance claims and assessing liability. When dealing with the officers, just be objective and do not speculate or apportion blame.

Document Everything

Photograph and video the accident site from various angles with your mobile phone. Emphasize:

Damage to all the vehicles concerned

License plates

The space around it (e.g., road signs, lamps, skid marks)

Any apparent injuries

Vehicle positions and obstructions

This photographic evidence is highly useful to body shop technicians as well as to insurance adjusters when evaluating the damage.

Exchange Information

Record contact information, driver license numbers, and insurance data for all drivers. Obtain names and phone numbers from any bystander witnesses in case a statement ever needs to be obtained from them in the future.

Tell Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company immediately. Be ready to provide the police report number, photos, and any other data you’ve collected. Your insurance company might recommend some body shops, but you don’t need to send your car there.

Recommended: Exotic Motorsport in Simi Valley

When you’ve decided you need your vehicle repaired, choose a shop that’s quality and trustworthy. Exotic Motorsport, a body shop in Simi Valley, offers top-of-the-line auto body repair specializing in high-performance and luxury vehicles. With the designation as a Tesla Authorized Body Shop, Exotic Motorsport employs the utmost cosmetic and structural repair standards. Their factory-trained technicians utilize factory-approved parts and methods to restore your Tesla—or any make, for that matter—to like-new condition.