What to Do After a Car Accident

Knowing what to do after a car accident is crucial. This is especially true if you’re frequently navigating highly congested roads in Los Angeles. No matter the severity, getting into a car accident is highly traumatic for those involved, so it’s important to be prepared ahead of time. Let the experts at INFINITI of Downtown LA walk you through what to do after a car accident, including how to file a car accident insurance claim.

What to Do After a Car Accident – Minor Accidents

First, let’s go over what to do after a minor car accident, such as a fender-bender or a collision in a Glendale parking lot:

1. First, ensure no one is injured. If you or another passenger is hurt, you will need to call an ambulance right away.
2. Once you have verified no one is injured, safely pull your vehicle over. While you don’t want to block traffic, try not to go too far from the scene of the accident.
3. Call the police to ensure the accident is documented with an official report, as this is required by some insurance companies. While the other driver may tell you calling the police isn’t necessary, you should always do so.
4. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and the insurance policy information of every driver involved in the accident. It’s also essential to take a photo of everyone’s driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and license plate numbers. In addition, be sure to obtain the contact information of any witnesses of the accident.
5. Take detailed photos of the accident scene and the damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved.
6. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to provide them with the details of the accident so the car accident insurance claims process can begin.

What to Do After a Car Accident – Major Accidents

In the event of a major accident that results in severe injuries or fatalities, it’s essential that you take the following steps:

1. Call 911 immediately. If you or a passenger is seriously injured, it is imperative that emergency personnel are contacted immediately. If you are unable to do so yourself, another person should contact them on your behalf as soon as possible. The police will arrive with an ambulance to assess the scene and damage. If you require immediate medical assistance and cannot document important information on your own, be sure to follow up with the police so you have all the necessary information to file a car accident insurance claim.
2. Contact your insurance provider. Even if a car accident insurance claim was filed for you, you should follow up with your insurance provider and provide them with more information about the accident to ensure everyone is properly compensated.
3. Follow up with your physician. If you’re still in pain after the accident and treatment, you should contact your regular physician.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim After an Accident

If you’re wondering how to file a car insurance claim after an accident, you’ll be pleased to know it is relatively straightforward. The process of filing a car accident insurance claim can vary slightly depending on your provider and coverage. However, you’ll need to have the following pieces of information on hand:

• Your insurance policy number
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Detailed description of how the accident occurred
• All the collected contact and insurance information from other involved parties
• Name of the police department involved, as well as the police report number (if applicable)

Once you have provided all of this information, an insurance adjuster will evaluate your vehicle and provide an estimate of coverage, repair costs, and more. You may need to plan an in-person inspection if there isn’t enough suitable information.

Rely on INFINITI of Downtown LA for Car Repairs in Los Angeles

Whether your vehicle has mechanical or exterior damage after an accident, you can rely on our factory-trained technicians to have you back on the road in no time. Contact us if you have any questions and schedule your appointment today. In the meantime, check out our other service and parts tips that will help keep you safe on Los Angeles roads.