What to Do After a Car Accident

Getting into a collision in St Louis is a scary experience, and dealing with the aftermath is often overwhelming. Suntrup Kia South is on your side to make the process as easy as possible for you. In this guide, we’ll go through what to do after a car accident to get you back on track. From finding out how to file a car insurance claim to fixing damage at the service department, just follow these steps to move forward with confidence.

What to Do After Minor Accidents

What should you do if you get into a fender bender in Jefferson County? Determining what to do after a car accident will depend on your accident’s severity. For minor accidents, here are the steps we recommend taking:

• Check to see if you or any passengers are in need of medical attention.
• If you are fine, pull off to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic.
• Call the police. This will ensure that you receive proper documentation of exactly what happened, and it’s often required for your car accident insurance claim.
• Exchange information with the other driver. This includes basic information like phone numbers, email addresses, insurance cards, license plate numbers, and a photo of everyone’s driver’s license.
• Assess the damage on both vehicles. Try to take a picture of the damage of both vehicles and a picture of where the accident occured if possible.
• Call your insurance provider. They will walk you through the steps of how to file a car insurance claim for your vehicle, and it’s best to give them the information as soon as possible.

What to Do After Major Accidents

In a major accident, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to ensure the safety of everyone around you. Act quickly, but remain calm.

• Call 911 and ask for an ambulance. While it’s important to document the accident scene, medical attention takes priority. The ambulance and police will arrive to gather information, including documenting the incident.
• Contact your insurance provider to start on your car accident insurance claim. Learning how to file a car insurance claim is important, and you don’t want to miss out if you are owed money.
• Follow up with your physician. Even if you feel fine, it’s a good idea to get a check-up to make sure that you aren’t missing anything.

Filing a Car Accident Insurance Claim

Filing your car accident insurance claim is the only way you’ll receive the money that you are owed. So even though paperwork might be the last thing on your mind, your insurance provider will make the process easy. You’ll need:

• Your insurance policy number
• A detailed description of how the accident occurred
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• 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 submitted, your car will be assessed by an insurance adjuster through the picture you provided or an in-person assessment if needed. Then, you’ll get an estimate based on the cost of repairs and your coverage. These costs will help you get your car back and running at a reputable service department, but you may need a new car if your previous vehicle is written off as a total loss.

Learn More with Suntrup Kia South

Whether you require a new car or more tips and tricks from auto experts, contact us at Suntrup Kia South for all of your automotive needs in the St Charles area. We’re located in St. Louis, so don’t hesitate to reach out for more information.