What To Do After A Collision

Accidents happen, even to the most careful drivers. Not knowing what to do after a collision can make an already stressful situation a whole lot worse. If you’ve been involved in an accident, there are steps you should take post-collision to manage the situation and ensure the safety of yo urself, your passengers, and the drivers on the road around you. If the unexpected happens to you, here’s a guide on what to do after a collision:

Stop and stay calm

In the moments after a car accident, a million things are rushing through your mind. You may feel confused, stunned, or want to fly off the handle and get angry at the other driver. After a car accident, it’s important to remain calm and collected so you can assess the situation. Pause, breathe, and then do a quick survey and make sure all drivers and passengers are safe. If anyone needs medical care, call 911 immediately.

Move to a safe area

For minor collisions with no serious injuries, you should move your vehicle to the side of the road and out of the traffic to avoid further collisions. Turn off your engine and switch your hazard lights on.

Document everything

When it's safe to do so, take pictures on your cell phone of the damage to both vehicles from a variety of angles. Even if the damage is minor, you should document everything so you can report the situation accurately. This includes the date and time of the accident, location where the collision occurred, driving conditions, and any other relevant details. If there are witnesses, be sure to collect their names and phone numbers in case there is any dispute about what happened. If the police have been involved, collect the police officer's name and badge number.

Exchange personal information

While you may be tempted to express frustrations or apologies, don't play the blame game. It’s imperative you remain calm and allow your insurance provider to determine who is at fault. After the accident, collect the following information from the other driver(s):

Name and address(s)
Phone number(s)
Driver’s license number(s) and license plate(s)
Make, model and colour of their vehicle(s)
Registration and insurance details

Notify your insurance company

To ensure your claim goes through as quickly as possible, speak to your insurance provider as soon as possible after the collision. Be sure to have all your documented information handy. Your insurance provider will guide you through reporting the accident, setting up a claim, and recommend a trusted ICBC accredited repair auto body shop like Trojan Collision for collision repairs.

Complete necessary collision repairs

At Trojan Collision, we can give you peace of mind that your car will be returned in pre-accident condition so you and your family can get back on the road safely. At our Nanaimo auto body shop, we only use the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to thoroughly assess the damage to your vehicle, not just what is visible to the eye. As an OEM Certified collision center, we have the required training, tools and equipment to restore today’s next-generation automobiles using only OEM parts, ensuring the safest, most reliable collision repairs possible. Need to book an estimate? Call Trojan Collision today to schedule your free estimate.

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