Car accidents are some of the deadliest that happen in the United States, and it’s believed that around 6 million car crashes take place here every year. These accidents don’t only harm drivers and passengers physically, but also cost a lot in repairs. Sometimes, vehicles become unfit for on busy roads after getting rear-ended or totaled. But most car owners decide to have their vehicles repaired. Most general repairs include dents, paint, bumpers, headlights, and other replacements.

The suggestions discussed in this article will help you get the best deals. So, here’s how you can get your car fixed:

1. Get medical help

Even if you’re not visibly injured, you should get medical help after an accident. There’s always the possibility of internal injuries, so prioritize your well-being. Medical experts believe people feel an adrenaline rush right after an accident that keeps their minds off their injuries. A person should call 911 and get out of the way of traffic. After ascertaining your well-being, it’s time to demand compensation for vehicular repairs.

2. Make a claim

You can demand compensation for the damages and go through with either your insurance or the at-fault party’s insurance. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and you must get legal help if you’re confused. The pros and cons are:

• Going through your insurance is quicker, but you have to pay the deductible.
• Going through the guilty party’s insurance takes longer, but you don’t pay the deductible.

3. Get a quote

Your insurance company will estimate how much it’ll cost to repair your car. Many factors affect the final collision repair cost, so you should consider these factors before reaching an estimate. The average repair cost in states like Arizona is $5,000. If there are small damages to the car, the cost can be as low as $200. But in general, you should consider the following factors:

• Labor costs
• The type of vehicle
• The part which has been damaged
• The extent of the damages it’s sustained

Similarly, rear-end collisions are more expensive to repair and may cost you even $10,000. Also, it’s costlier to repair scratches, and a single enamel pair repair can cost you anywhere between $500 and $1,000.

4. Document the damage

Document the damage and gather evidence of the damage done to your vehicle. This information will strengthen your insurance claim and help you receive the compensation sooner. For instance, you must gather the following pieces of information:

• Take pictures of your vehicle from different angles to make the case stronger
• Write down everything you remember about the vehicular collision
• Exchange information with the guilty party properly

5. Exchange information

If the accident is because of someone else, you should exchange information with the other driver right after the accident. In some states, you are legally bound to exchange your insurance information with the other person. Refusing to share insurance information is a traffic infraction, so you should warn the guilty party that not sharing this information isn’t something legally advisable. You can collect the following pieces of information from the other driver:

• Name
• Contact
• Driver’s license number
• Vehicular registration number
• A written description of the car crash

However, there are some no-fault states where you rely on your insurance to pay for the damages. In these states, there’s no need to track down the other driver’s insurance information.

6. Choose a mechanic

You should choose an expert mechanic to get your vehicle fixed. Finding the right person for this job isn’t difficult when you know how to find a mechanic. But in some states, insurance companies can’t make you choose a specific mechanic. Make sure you select a mechanic after verifying the following:

• The mechanic is ASE certified
• The collision repair shop is AAA affiliated
• There’s a warranty for the repairs done to your car
• Your chosen mechanic has been reviewed positively online
• The mechanic can inform you what exactly they’re going to fix

7. Repairing isn’t always necessary

Are you required to repair the vehicle with the cash you get? Not necessarily. You can decide not to have the car fixed and use the money for something worthwhile. For instance, if your car gets totaled in an accident, you may leave it as it is and consider buying/leasing another. If the guilty party was responsible, then they are liable to pay the damages even if you later decide not to fix the car with it.

8. Discovering new damage

Sometimes, the mechanic may also discover existing damage and decide to repair it without getting the owner’s approval. So, you should ask the mechanic to notify you if existing damages are found. A mechanic shouldn’t make extra repairs without your permission because you may want to have such repairs done elsewhere. So, verbally prevent the mechanic from taking liberties with your car.

9. Get another vehicle

How long will the mechanic take to repair your car? It depends on the nature of the damages it has sustained. Normally, it takes mechanics a few days to repair collision-damaged vehicles. However, a mechanic may need several weeks to fix a car that is considerably damaged. So, you should get another car or a different mode of transport while your car is being repaired.

Conclusion

Car repairs can set you back anything from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. So decide accordingly. But be sure to call 911 and get medical help first. Then make a claim if you think it was the other driver’s fault and document the damage for insurance companies. Choose a mechanic if you think this damage is repairable and arrange another mode of transport meanwhile. Ask your mechanic to report to you if pre-existing damage is discovered. That’s how you can easily have your vehicle repaired.