Car Wreck: How to Get a Car Fixed

Single party accident

Have you recently damaged your vehicle in an accident and are unsure how or where to get it repaired? Knowing where you should go, who you should contact and how much it will cost will lessen the stress associated with repairing a wrecked vehicle.

Things You'll Need

• Towing Service Auto insurance Auto body estimates An Auto Accident Attorney (optional) Appraisal Expert (optional)

Instructions

Car Wreck: How to Get a Car Fixed

1. 

   If there is minimal damage to the vehicle and there are no injuries, an officer can arrange to have the vehicle towed from the scene. If you are at fault, your insurance company will be held accountable for your damages and the damages to the other vehicle. In a single party accident, your insurance company will be responsible for the cost of all damages. If you are not at fault, towing expenses will be covered by the other party and arrangements will be made by his insurance company. If you are not insured or have limited liability, you can expect to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

2. 

   Be sure to contact your insurance company. The sooner a claim is reported, the faster repairs can be estimated and completed. In a two-party collision, you will receive an accident report from a police officer. The insurance information for the other party will be in the report, so it is advised to contact that insurance company as well. If the other party is at fault, her insurance company will likely contact you to ensure there were no injuries, receive an account of the collision and get an understanding of the total damages.

3. 

   If you are at fault, accessing damages can be expensive. It is recommended that comparative auto body research is conducted to receive the lowest estimate possible for the required auto body work.

4. 

   Ultimately, there is a decision to be made: Is repairing a wrecked vehicle more expensive than purchasing a new vehicle? If you are not at fault, insurance companies may offer to fix your vehicle in entirety, free of cost, or provide you with the money to purchase a new car.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also hire an auto accident attorney to assist you through the litigationo this process. As most insurance companies will now view you as a higher-risk liability, don't be surprised to see an increase in your auto insurance deductible after being involved in an accident, especially if you were at fault.

• Don't pay thousands of dollars to repair a badly wrecked vehicle, consider buying a new car.

References

• Free Auto Accident Advice
• What a Wrecked Car Could Cost You
• Diminished Auto Value Experts