If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you may wonder what you must do next to be best prepared for moving forward. Car accidents happen every day. Montana saw 2,307 crashes that were reported in 2019. There are a lot of steps that you need to take, and it can be overwhelming. Below are the most common steps to help you regain your life and resume normalcy.
See A Medical Professional Right after the accident, you will want to see a medical professional and have yourself checked out for injuries. Even if you seem to be doing okay, the adrenaline pumping may keep pain at bay, and you may not realize it. With a thorough inspection, a physician can determine if there are any lingering medical damages and if you need to seek treatment right away.
File A Claim With Your Insurance Company
If you have been in an accident, contact your insurance agency as soon as possible and state the accident. If you were not at fault, you must inform your insurance company and have a claim on record. If your version of the accident is recorded first, that looks better for you. Also, you should have an accident report on file from the police department at the scene. Ensure a copy of that report is sent to your insurance company showing evidence that you aren’t at fault.
Determine If You Want To Pursue A Personal Injury Case
After you have been hit, if you are not the party at fault, it may be in your best interest to pursue a personal injury case. Suppose you feel you are not getting the right information from the insurance company or are getting the run around after attempting to collect damages, expenses, and what is owed to you. In that case, you may need to contact a lawyer for assistance. According to NOLO, in a personal injury case, most states have a statute of limitations for claiming a personal injury case of up to three years. That means that if you experienced an accident in that time frame and it hasn’t been resolved, then your window of opportunity is closing.
Secure Vehicle Repair
Once your vehicle has been released to you, and it’s time for repairs, you need to find a mechanic experienced in repairing body damage and any mechanical work that may have suffered during the accident. Remember that you want to avoid any unnecessary corrosion, as this can cause your vehicle to deteriorate when exposed to the elements. About 3% of the nation’s GDP each year costs approximately $276 billion due to corrosion, according to a study released by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration in 2002.
Find A Rental Vehicle
While waiting for your vehicle to be fixed, or if you need to purchase a new vehicle, you will need a rental to get through this transition. If your insurance covers car rentals, know how long you have and what your daily expense amount is. If you rent a vehicle that costs more than the allotted amount, you must pay the overage out of your pocket. You may be limited in what you have based on the car rentals in your area and the types of vehicles they have on hand. If you want something different when available, have them contact you once a different vehicle is available, and you can switch them out.
Purchase A New Vehicle
Sometimes, car accidents can be too damaging for a vehicle. In these cases, you may have to go shopping and buy something new if your car is totaled. If you wait until you get the insurance payout, you could wait months and cannot afford to be without a vehicle that long. Take advantage of local deals and shop around before you get a new vehicle.
Take Advantage Of These Steps
If you’ve been in a car accident, start at the beginning and seek medical attention to ensure that you do not have any serious ato report. Once you have been cleared or determined you need treatment, you can move on to the other business things, like following up with the insurance company and seeking out a new car, if necessary.
Being in a car accident can be a scary situation. By following these tips, you can ensure you’re able to get back to normalcy as soon as possible. Be sure to remember this article, as you never know when you’ll need it!
