What to Do If You're in a Car Collision

Car accidents are sometimes unavoidable. While you might be upset, try to remain calm. There are steps you need to follow for health, safety, and insurance purposes. From checking for injuries to contacting a reputable car repair shop, you can make this stressful situation easier to resolve. 

What Should You Do After a Car Accident?

1. Check for Injuries

After a collision, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If you or anyone else is experiencing back or neck pain, try not to move. Wait for paramedics to arrive—they can move injured patients safely.

2. Call the Police

Don’t leave the scene of the accident, even if it isn’t your fault. Call the police and wait for them to arrive. Police reports are used as an objective resource for insurance companies and courts. Get the officer’s name and badge number if they need to be contacted later. However, if only the vehicles were damaged, the police may not arrive at the scene. In that case, file an accident report through Kentucky’s DMV. 

3. Inspect Your Vehicle

If you’re mobile, inspect your vehicle. If necessary, move your car to a safe location. Do this slowly, to avoid causing any extra damage. Take pictures of the collision and injuries for insurance and legal purposes. If the car is smoking, remain at a safe distance. Don’t attempt car repairs yourself. While they might be necessary, interfering with the scene may affect your insurance coverage. Many car repair shops offer towing services—let the professionals handle it.

4. Exchange Information With Other Drivers

Get the insurance information of everyone involved in the collision. This includes the license plate numbers and the make and model of the cars. If the accident was another person’s fault, their insurance might cover the cost of your car repairs. If there were any witnesses, get their names and phone numbers as well.

5. Get Your Car Repaired

Skilled mechanics will get you back on the road as quickly as possible. They go through several steps to ensure your car repairs are complete. Mechanics will disassemble your car to determine the extent of the damage before repairing and repainting it. If possible, request Spies Hecker, as their paints can best match the color you had before. Finally, the mechanics will reassemble your vehicle, detail it, and run an inspection on its systems. In the end, your car might end up running better than it had before.

After a collision, reach out to Airport Paint & Body for your car repair needs. With over 10 years of experience and locations throughout Northern Kentucky, their skilled mechanics can inspect and repair your damaged vehicle. They’ll even work with your insurance company to process your claim. For more information on their services, including 24-hour towing and free rental car pickup and delivery, visit their website. For an estimate, call their Hebron location at (859) 689-5700, Batavia at (513) 449-3310, Wilder at (859) 441-5000, and Erlanger at (859) 491-5880.