You have many options following a car accident caused by someone else and their negligent driving, but getting your car repaired is not an option. It’s a necessity. Your vehicle is most likely one of the most important tangible material items you possess, and you need it. When your car is damaged in an accident, it’s almost always going to leave without anything to drive. Even minor accidents tend to cause enough damage to prevent your car from being drivable until it’s been repaired.
Once someone causes an accident that damages your vehicle, it’s impossible to think straight. Police reports, medical attention, and finding someone to tow your vehicle while also looking for a friend or relative to take you home from the scene of an accident is stressful when you’re in the moment. Once you handle these things, you’ll work on getting a rental car and finding someone to repair your vehicle. Here’s how the process usually goes.
Rental Cars
Before you do anything else, you’ll need to have your damaged vehicle towed to a repair shop, your home, or wherever else your insurance company wants to have it towed. You’ll call your insurance company right away following an accident to report it and ask them what to do next. This is true even if you’re not using your insurance to handle the accident. Your agent’s job is to advise you how to handle the other driver’s insurance, and they’ll help.
If you live in a no-fault state, you’ll end up using your insurance regardless. If you have rental car coverage, you’ll be given the go-ahead to rent a vehicle. Your insurance, or the insurance company representing the other driver, is responsible for providing you with a rental car equivalent to the car damaged in the accident. You won’t end up with a small compact sedan if you drive a large SUV. You’ll get something equivalent according to laws in place to protect drivers.
Insurance Adjusters
While you’re working on obtaining a rental car, an insurance adjuster is working on a quote. This means going to the location where your car is being kept and examining the damage. The adjuster will then provide a quote for the amount it will cost to repair your car or inform you it’s a total loss. Provided your car is fixable, they’ll call with an estimate.
Now it’s time to get your car fixed. The insurance company you’re working with might have some rules about where you can go. Most insurance companies require you see a mechanic and repair shop that meets specific standards and quality. This means you can’t use your own location of choice, but it’s always acceptable to ask if you can use a specific mechanic or location if that’s what you want. Provided they meet the requirements in place by the insurance company, this is not usually a problem.
If there is additional damage to your vehicle the adjuster is unable to see when estimating the repairs, the mechanic will call the insurance company directly to speak with them about the repairs and the cost. Once your car is repaired, you’ll receive a call to pick it up. Other than your deductible, there should be no cost to you repairing your car.
Calling an Attorney
If you are involved in an accident caused by someone else, you might run into a few issues. The first is the other insurance company might try to deny fault, which could leave you without anyone fixing your car or any insurance help. In a situation like this, you’ll call your insurance company and ask them to handle the case and go after the other insurance company for reimbursement following the final investigation.
If you are worried your case is not going the way it should, call our offices. Our attorneys handle car accident cases every day, and we are familiar with the laws and the many loopholes insurance companies try to utilize to get out of paying for damages. Let us help you, because this isn’t your fault.