Are you a fan of taking road trips? Many people prefer this method of travel to explore, especially as of late. However, hitting the open highway means there are new road rules to abide by, different weather conditions, and the chance that you'll get into a car accident. How should handle this situation out of state where there are different road rules, laws, and types of insurance coverage? Our Orlando Toyota body shop experts are here with advice.
What steps should you take after a car accident in another state?
Believe it or not, you treat car accidents out of state pretty much the same as if you were in your home state. Here are the steps we recommend taking.
Step #1: Make sure you and your passengers are OK. Check to see if you or any of your passengers are injured before you do anything else. It's also a good idea to move your vehicle off the road (if you can) or at least get yourself and your passengers off the road and away from oncoming traffic.
Step #2: Call 911 to get the police to the scene. Call 911 to report the accident and request that police come to the scene even if no one is injured. You'll need the police report for your car insurance, especially if the accident wasn't your fault. Be sure to request a copy of the report and get the officer's information.
Step #3: Document everything. Document EVERYTHING before you leave the scene of the accident. You'll need information like:
The other driver's name and contact info
Their insurance information
The make, model, color, and plate number of their car
Any witnesses, their names, and their contact information
And be sure to take photos/videos of the accident scene and damages to both cars.
Step #4: Call your insurance company BEFORE you try to make repairs. You should 100% call your car insurance company before you even try to schedule repairs. They'll need to send out an appraiser and get an estimate of the damages, and they can direct you to a local repair shop if need be.
Step #5: Decide if you can make it home or not. Can your car make it back to your home state even with the damages? You may want to have a mechanic take a look to ensure your car is safe to drive before trying to make the trek, even if it was just a fender bender. You could have damage under the surface that you're not aware of.
Schedule auto repairs today at Toyota of Orlando
Have questions or need repairs? Whether you live here or are just visiting, we can help! Visit Toyota of Orlando's body shop at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. You can call us ahead of time to schedule at (407) 298-0001!
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