​What to Do After a Car Accident: Essential Steps for Drivers

After an accident, ensure safety, document the scene & report it to your insurance. Then, get a free estimate from a trusted repair shop.

No one leaves home with the idea that it is the day they would have a collision, whether light or heavy. Everyone simply hurries to their work or takes care of their daily tasks. On the road, an accident may happen no matter who is to blame. The situation requires immediate actions. But a couple of questions cling to your mind: Take the car to an auto repair body shop or call the police or the insurance company. What to do and how to act? Stay with us to find solutions for all concerns.

collision repair process

🚨 Contact Emergency Services 

After an accident, first of all, care about your safety by checking the injuries you may have gotten and leaving the car to avoid any possible harm the broken car may cause. If you are free from serious harm, call the insurance company. If not, then call 911. The same goes for other passengers in your car or another. Ask for any help you need to feel safe and secure.

📋 Document the Accident

Whether the accident is light or heavy, it should be recorded by the police and insurance company. That’s why follow the instructions presented below.

📸 Take Photos of the Scene

Take photos of the accident from all sides, including the position of vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible damage. Record things to have evidence before things will be changed. It could help to verify insurance claims and also protect from false accusations. If the accident has a legal issue, it is also supportive visual proof for your case.

ℹ️ Gather Information from Others Involved

Talk to people around to get as much information as possible. Every detail counts, so gathering valuable and unbiased information will help you in further documentation. You may overlook something important, so an additional set of extra eyes can make all the difference.

📝 Take Notes of the Incident Details

Talking isn’t enough; also take notes of the accident details. You need them for the insurance claim, police inquiry, and legal issues. All this information will be great support in answering any questions when the police come. Tell them what happened and stick with the facts. Don’t forget to request a copy of the police report for your insurance company.

📞 Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

The next important thing to do is the insurance claim. If you need insurance claims assistance, Regal Repair is your backbone in assisting the process. Trick to know: never say to your insurance company that it is your fault; you have a risk of not having insurance coverage. It is likely to have an insurance adjuster for a certain case. The insurance company will help you to tow your car to the certified collision repair shop. They will also require everything you have documented earlier to process your claim in detail and confirm the coverage you will get. The adjuster also helps to determine the fault of the accident.

Your insurance coverage type sets the reimbursement amount. If you feel in a mess or complicated, rely on Regal Repair collision repair center.

🔢 Get a Free Estimate and Book Appointment 

Even if the accident scenario is too bad, don’t allow the insurance company to direct you to a repair shop you are unfamiliar with. Regal Repair stands by you and will guide you through the process of selecting the right collision repair shop. 

Before making your final choice, you should have enough information to understand what to consider when choosing a collision repair shop

Along with several features, you pay attention to cost and quality balance. That’s why ask for free estimates to compare and book an appointment to check the environment and repair conditions. Even an unimportant detail can make a difference in the repair process.

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📖 Learn more about the process 

After the accident, even a well-experienced driver can get a shock and be tempted to accept rapid solutions without going deeper into many details. We strongly recommend you take time learning more about the entire process - what collision repair is or how long collision repair takes.

The knowledge empowers you to avoid being misled by unreliable collision repair shops or unfair insurance claims, ensuring you make informed decisions that protect both your vehicle and your financial interests. Also, you are well protected with reliable information.

When it comes to repair duration, it may take from a day to three weeks depending on various factors. So arm yourself with patience and keep a watchful eye on your car repair process.

🚗 Collect Your Car 

When you have all necessary information and took preliminary actions regarding the insurance claim and the police reports, now you can take or tow your car to the collision repair shop your final choice has laid. With the free estimate and appointment made in advance, you have no other issues handing over your car to the reliable body repair shop and waiting unless they get you back on the road.

With Regal Repair you can enjoy getting back to your work or daily routine using our rental services and have your car repaired as fast as possible. 

Conclusion 

With the right knowledge and a trusted repair shop beside you, there is nothing to worry about if you have an accident—whether light or heavy. Simply follow the steps mentioned above and rely on Regal Repair. As a top-of-the-line collision repair center and auto body shop, we offer a wide range of services. Our strong commitment to excellent services and utmost care won’t leave you sad or confused.   

FAQ

❓What should I do first after a car collision?

✅ The first thing to do after a collision is to check your safety and the safety of your passengers. Only after that call for emergency services and take actions according to your well-being—the ambulance, 911 or the insurance company.

❓How can I get an accurate repair estimate for my car?

✅ Almost all auto repair body shops offer free estimates based on the data you provide, so, you just need to browse their website and click the button “Get a Free Estimate.” If you want to have accurate estimates, rely on Regal Repair. Accuracy and commitment are our middle names. 

❓Is it necessary to work with my insurance company’s preferred repair shop?

✅ No, it’s obviously not necessary to work with the insurance company-preferred repair shop. You are free to choose one you feel more trust and reliability in. Do your research to find the one that meets your expectations best. 

❓How long will it take to repair my vehicle?

✅ There is no one-size-fit-all answer to this question, as the timeframe varies in various extents of damages. If the collision is not very heavy, it may take 1 to 2 days. If the collision is too harsh, it may extend to 2 to 3 weeks. The average range is between 1 day and 3 weeks.

❓Do collision repair shops provide warranties on their work?

✅ Yes, there are repair shops that offer a year warranty or the like. With Regal Repair you have a two-year warranty, even a lifetime warranty depending on the case and issues. 

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Multiple Collision Repair centers, conveniently located Near You.

Your trusted auto body shop and collision center, proudly serving you from our locations in North Hollywood, and Venice Los Angeles, CA. For added convenience, we offer post-accident vehicle pickup and towing, along with doorstep delivery after repairs are completeEnsuring your vehicle's best care is always within reach. Let us take care of your collision repair needs, insurance negotiations, car rentals, and put your mind at ease. Get a free estimate today! Call us, schedule an appointment online or stop by during business hours.
N. Hollywood, CA
Regal Repair - North Hollywood is conveniently located on Cahuenga Blvd. in NoHo near Toluca Lake. The nearest cross street is Chandler St.

Regal Repair - NoHo

Address: 5430 Cahuenga Blvd., N. Hollywood, CA 91601
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (by appointment)
Sunday: Closed
Services offered: Complete Collision Repair Facility, Auto Body Repair and Paint, Mechanical Services, Wheel Alignment and Tires.
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Los Angeles, CA
Regal Repair - Burbank is conveniently located on S. Victory Blvd. in Burbank, CA off I-5 at South. The nearest cross street is W. Alameda Avenue.

Regal Repair - LA

Address: 5252 W. 111th St., Los Angeles CA, 90045
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (by appointment)
Sunday: Closed
Services offered: Collision Repair Center
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Venice, CA
Regal Repair - Venice is conveniently located on Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, CA, Near Santa Monica, CA. The nearest cross street is Venice Blvd.

Regal Repair - Venice

Address: 2101 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (by appointment)
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Services offered: Collision Repair Facility, Auto Body Repair and Paint, Mechanical Services.
24/7 Emergency Service Available