What to do After a Car Accident?

Car accidents can be very stressful as they happen suddenly and create havoc at the location. At that time, it is essential to keep your cool and help the situation get normal sooner. It is better to know what to do to help reduce the stress and ensure that the incident is dealt with properly. Also, the right precautionary measures can limit the financial impact of car accidents.

If you ask “I had a car accident, what to do? Here you will find information about two different scenarios. The first one is when an accident happens because of our fault and the second is when it is not your fault. In either case, car damages are inevitable! However, if you are not physically hurt, step up and take responsibility for helping others!

The first and foremost thing to do in any case is check for injuries! If there are other people in your car, ask them if they are okay. Call for immediate medical attention if somebody is injured. Once you ensure everybody is alright, keep the following things in mind:

• Avoid Conflicts- Accidents and collisions create panic and people fail to think straight. They act impulsively and cause further damage. You should remember that no one deliberately crashes their car and an accident affects everybody. The best thing to do is maintain courtesy and check on the well-being of the other party. If they are injured, assist them. If any car is severely damaged and you notice fumes, ask everybody to get away from the spot. Immediately call the fire service or the nearest police station.
• Note Down Information- If it is a minor accident and you are sure nobody is fatally hurt, immediately get out of the vehicle. Use your phone and note down the other party’s car registration number, model, and colour. Ask for the personal information of the driver or the car owner. Also, note down the time and date of the accident.
• Document the Accident- Take photographs of the damages as quickly as possible. It is even better if you can take a video of the entire scenario. These documents will come in handy while claiming insurance or filing complaints against the other party.
• Clear the Road- Once you note down and document everything, clear the road. As it is not decent to block the road for a longer time, park your car by the roadside and ask the other party to do the same.
• Call the Police – The next important thing is to call the nearest police station. Once the police arrive at the scene, they will make an accident report. Make sure to ask for a copy which will be helpful during the insurance claim.
• Go for a Medical Checkup- Many times, a person does not feel the injury instantly because of all the chaos involved in an accident. It is better to visit a hospital, once all your work is finished. Explain the incident to the doctor and if they suggest any checkups, get them done as soon as possible.

If a car accident happens because of you, it might have different repercussions. It may also happen because of a faulty brake or a sudden movement. If you are wondering “What should I do after a car crash?”Here are the things that you should do if the accident is determined to be your fault.

• Check for Injury- The first and foremost thing to do is check for everyone’s well-being in your car. If everything is alright, immediately get off and check on the other party. Call for emergency service if somebody is injured.
• Take Responsibility- The best thing you can do in such a situation is take the responsibility for your action. It is better to have a conversation and explain to them why the accident happened in the first place.
• Contact Insurance Company- Contact your insurance company for third-party claims. Note all the details like required paperwork, process, associated auto-repair centres, etc.
• Collect Personal Information- Take the personal information of the third party like their name, address, phone number, registration number, etc.
• Contact Emergency Service- Inform the police about the accident so they can make a report.
• Contact a Towing Service- You should step up and contact a nearby auto repair centre associated with your insurance company. Ask them for their towing services and it is courteous to let the other party get towed and serviced first.

Insurance is an essential part of car ownership as it provides financial protection in case of accidents or damage to the car. Several car insurance schemes in Melbourne, Australia, cater to different needs and budgets. Choose the one that will be the most helpful to you.

Here we have mentioned the three most useful kinds of insurance schemes that you can consider buying:

• Own Damage- This scheme will only provide financial aid if your car gets stolen or damaged under your responsibility.
• Third-Party- If someone’s car gets damaged or if someone is physically hurt or killed by your car, you can rely on this scheme. It will provide you with financial aid to support the other party for their loss.
• Comprehensive- This scheme contains all the benefits. It can cover your damage, provide settlement to third-party damage, and also includes services like towing services, roadside assistance, engine and battery replacement, etc.

Every insurance company has policies related to coverage, procedure, and claim amount. Remember to ask the agent these questions while making the final decision:

• What is the claim settlement ratio of the insurance company?

The claim settlement ratio tells us the effectiveness of an insurance company. It means how many settlements it makes out of the total claims it receives. Some insurance companies in Australia reach as high as 99% and it is advisable to choose a company with the highest number of claim settlements.

• What will my insurance cover?

Different types of schemes cover different ranges of benefits. You can choose the one as per your budget and requirements.

• Should I go for market value or agreed value?

Your final claim amount will depend on your choice between market value or the agreed value. The market value would give you an amount equivalent to the actual price of a repair and maintenance service required by your car. At the same time, the agreed value will provide you with a pre-agreed amount, irrespective of the service you need. In such a case, it is always better to go with the market value.

• Should I Go for additional benefits?

It would be best if you go for the insurance company and scheme that covers towing service, roadside assistance, hail storm damage repair, etc. Such a scheme increases the effectiveness of your claim and provides practical assistance when required the most.

Northern Prestige Body Repairs is among the best accidental repair specialists in Australia because of the wide range of repair services available. We offer different services like panel beating, smash repair, spray painting etc. With us, you can get at-fault and not-at-fault insurance repairs in Melbourne. Call us on 0478 648 557 or email at northern_pbr@outlook.com  for any kind of car damage repair.