What To Do After A Car Accident: Hybrid Car Edition

Car accidents can be incredibly stressful to experience no matter what. But did you know that hybrid cars have additional issues that may need to be addressed after a collision? Because of their hybrid powertrain systems, there are more electronics and high-voltage batteries that require special attention before you hit the road again. It’s time for Toyota of Orlando’s guide on what to do after a car accident when driving a hybrid Toyota.

What To Do After A Car Accident: Hybrid Cars

All Orlando Toyota hybrid cars use high-voltage hybrid batteries that become dangerous after a crash. Never touch any cables or components with high-voltage warnings when assessing damage after a car accident. If you see any smoke, leaking fluids, or hear odd noises, immediately move away from your car and wait for emergency responders.

Other immediate things to remember when identifying what to do after a car accident include: 

• Hybrid powertrains are quiet, so your car may still be on even if you don’t hear the engine. Check your dashboard lights to ensure the car is off once you’ve parked in a safe place.

• Let Orlando emergency responders and tow companies know you’re driving a hybrid car when you contact them.

• DO NOT try to disconnect your car’s battery - you could seriously injure yourself or damage your car. Only trained professionals and responders should attempt to disconnect it.

• Don’t try to tow your hybrid car yourself. Some hybrids need to be towed on flatbeds to prevent damage to the hybrid system and reduce shock risk.

What You Should Watch For After a Hybrid Car Accident

Here are a few things to keep an eye out for after your accident: 

• Warning lights and error messages: If you see any new lights/messages appear on your dashboard, bring your car to Toyota of Orlando’s service center ASAP so our techs can get under the hood and look around.

• Odd smells, sounds, or feelings of heat: If there’s a strange smell (like chemicals), any hissing noises, or excessive heat coming from the battery (not from the Orlando heat advisories), don’t try to drive the car! Move away from it and call up Toyota of Orlando to let our service techs know.

• Delayed symptoms like smoke: If you see smoke coming from your hybrid car battery after a car accident, it may be damaged and needs to be looked at by our Toyota of Orlando service techs as quickly as possible.

What To Do After A Hybrid Car Accident For Your Insurance

Now what do you do after a car accident for insurance purposes? Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Ask for a detailed inspection for special care with the car battery, the cooling system, and all electronic components.

• Know that your repair costs may be higher since hybrid parts tend to cost more to fix.

• Save ALL your paperwork! Everything from receipts and estimates to communications with your insurance company.

What To Do After A Car Accident: A Few More Reminders

Now that you know what to do after a car accident in hybrid cars, here are a few tips to brush up on car accidents in general.

1. Make sure everyone is safe.

First, check that yourself and all passengers are safe and not injured. Don’t move injured people unless there’s immediate danger (like a fire). If you can, move your car off the road out of the way of traffic, and turn on your hazards. If you’re unable to move your car, look for a safe spot to stand on the side of the road.

2. Involve emergency responders.

Call 911 for any accident, even a minor one - you’ll want an accident report from the police for your insurance coverage. Furthermore, if someone was injured, you’ll want their care to be noted and documented right away. When you call, this is when you need to identify to the Orlando emergency responders that you have a hybrid car so they’re aware when they arrive at the scene.

3. Document EVERYTHING.

Take pictures/videos of everything: all the vehicles involved in the accident, the position of the cars, the road conditions, and any road/warning signs on whichever road you’re on. Get up close and personal with and take plenty of pictures/videos from different angles to document it. This is an important part of what to do after a car accident, hybrid cars or not.

You should also exchange information with the other driver in the accident. Make sure to get their name, contact info, insurance details, and their vehicle info (make, model, and license plate number). Talk to any witnesses and collect their contact information in case they’re needed for insurance purposes or a court case.

4. Don’t admit fault!

When you’re figuring out what to do after a car accident, you shouldn’t admit blame or apologize. When you share your perspective to the police and talking to the other driver(s), just state the facts of what happened. The police will determine who’s at fault and document the incident accordingly.

5. Call your insurance company.

One last tip when it comes to what to do after a car accident: you need to report the accident as soon as possible to start a claim with your insurance company.  Again, just stick with the facts and provide the police report, and they’ll take it from there.

Visit Toyota of Orlando for Help After an Accident

Hybrid car or not, it’s important to know what to do after a car accident. It’s even more important to know who to trust to repair your vehicle and get you back on the road! Toyota of Orlando is ready to help you with all post-accident assistance! Contact our Collision Center at 407-298-6006 or visit us in person at 3575 Vineland Road.