How to Respond in a Tough Situation
Being in a car accident is the last thing anyone wants - but when it does
happen, there are ways of making sure that the legal and insurance issues
are handled with as little stress as possible.
- First of all - stay calm.
- If someone is injured, be sure to call for medical help.
- Make sure you call the police.
- Don't publicly make any statements where you either accuse the other person of causing the accident or take all the blame yourself. It could open you up to legal problems.
- Whatever you do, don't leave the scene until you've had a chance to talk with the officer and you've gotten their name. It's important to make sure that your side of the story goes on the record. Afterward, it's a good idea to get a copy of the police report.
- Make sure you have a pre-printed copy of your insurance information in the glove compartment, along with a camera you can use to provide pictures for the insurance company. A disposable camera with a flash for nighttime or interior shooting is usually best for this.
- In dealing with the other driver, make sure you get their name, address, driver's license number and insurance information - and that they get the same information from you.
- Also, make sure to get information from any witnesses as well.
- Make sure you get pictures of any physical evidence of what could have caused the accident.
- Write down pertinent details such as where the accident took place, what the weather was like, etc.
- Once the information's exchanged, report the accident to the insurance company immediately, even if it's not your fault.
- Make sure you understand how you're covered, and don't be afraid to ask the insurance company to explain the conditions of your coverage and payments.
- Don't be afraid to seek legal advice - and don't sign anything if you don't understand it.
- When you're using a body shop to get repairs to your vehicle, be aware that the insurance company can recommend a shop, but you are under no legal obligation to use its services. You have the legal right to choose the shop to do your repairs.
- Also be aware that insurance companies sometimes try to
dictate what type of parts are used in a vehicle's repair. They might
insist that a shop not use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, as
they are more expensive.
You have a right to know what kind of parts are being used on your vehicle, and to know if your insurance policy dictates what kind of parts can be used in your car. If your policy lets you choose, you have the right to decide for yourself. - An insurance company also has the right to inspect your vehicle, but it is not required to do so. In addition, they cannot require you to visit one of their own claim centers.
- And finally: Make sure you learn from this accident, but also let yourself move on from what happened. Everyone has an accident once in a while - it's just something that happens.
Remember - Drive Safely!
Want more information on your rights? To make an appointment, call us at
727-329-8728 or make an appointment
online!
what our customers say
We had driven down for several weeks from our home in NC in our Ford F-150 truck. Around noon on the Friday before labor day we got in the truck to run some errands and discovered the front passenger door would not latch when closed, the door just swung freely. We called every local Ford dealer only to be told that we could drop off the truck and they "might" be able to diagnose the problem by Tuesday or Wednesday - one said it would be 3 weeks before they could see us despite this obviously being a significant safety issue. We then called Affordable Auto Care - Troy was honest and said if we dropped it off, he would try to get it in that afternoon but couldn't promise as they were very busy. He committed that it would be looked at by Monday (Labor Day) and if possible fixed that day, but that would depend on what parts might be needed and if he could get them on Labor Day. Long story short, a part that he could only get from Ford was needed and they were closed on Monday. Troy got the part first thing Tuesday morning and had our door fixed by noon and all a very reasonable price. Throughout, Troy was calling to keep us updated on the issue, on the need to wait for the Ford to open to get the part. He even had someone waiting at Ford before they opened to get the part as fast as possible. All in all, excellent communication, superior service, and we had our truck fixed before any of the Ford dealers would have even seen it. We highly recommend bringing all of your auto/truck repair needs to Affordable Auto Care!
I brought in my newly purchased Nissan Leaf with an ABS light on. Not only did they diagnose the issue for FREE, but Sunny (sp) also spent time explaining the issues and provided helpful recommendations to get the necessary work completed. Honest, knowledgeable and they really do go the extra mile to make sure you get the best outcome, even if it's not at their shop. Thank you to the team for your help!
I first went to this shop when I had a check engine light on. Since then I have gone back numerous occasions when other things that I needed done on my car. It's so wonderful to find a shop that isn't out there to just take your money, but try to find a solution without digging a huge hole in your wallet! They don't just fix the problem but they listen to you and pay attention to what you have to say. Which is huge for me! They are fast, but efficient, friendly, knowledgeable, and definitely reasonable with Prices. I highly recommend this shop to anyone who is looking! Thanks for everything!
