What to Do After a Car Accident: Advice From Wreck Center Owner Hector Absi
A car accident can happen in seconds. Figuring out what to do afterward isn’t always so simple.
Between checking for injuries, exchanging information, dealing with insurance and figuring out what to do with a damaged vehicle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Hector Absi, owner of Wreck Center in Henderson, Nevada, has seen firsthand how stressful the collision repair process can be for drivers. While every accident is different, knowing a few basic steps ahead of time can make the days that follow a little easier.
Here are some things to keep in mind after an accident.
1. Start With Safety
Before worrying about the vehicle, determine whether anyone involved needs medical attention.
If it’s safe and appropriate to do so, move out of active traffic and contact emergency services when necessary. Follow instructions from law enforcement and emergency personnel at the scene.
Vehicles can be repaired. People come first.
2. Document What Happened
Once everyone is safe, gather as much information as reasonably possible.
Photos can be particularly helpful. Take pictures of the vehicles, visible damage, license plates and the surrounding area. It’s also a good idea to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver and keep any information provided by responding law enforcement.
You may think you’ll remember everything later, but accidents are stressful. Having documentation gives you something to reference when speaking with your insurance company or repair facility.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance provider and find out what information they need from you.
Depending on your coverage and the circumstances of the accident, your insurer may explain the claims process, towing options, rental coverage and the next steps for getting the vehicle inspected.
One important thing to remember is that asking questions is okay.
Insurance and collision repair terminology can be confusing if you don’t deal with it every day. If something isn’t clear, ask for an explanation.
4. Choose a Collision Repair Shop You Trust
After an accident, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where your vehicle will be repaired.
For Hector Absi and the team at Wreck Center, trust starts with communication.
A good collision repair experience should include understanding what happened to your vehicle, what repairs are being considered and what you can expect as the process moves forward.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the repair.
You’re handing someone one of your most valuable possessions. You should feel comfortable with the people taking care of it.
5. Remember That Modern Vehicles Are Complicated
Collision repair isn’t what it was 20 years ago.
Today’s cars, trucks and SUVs can contain cameras, sensors, advanced driver-assistance technology and increasingly sophisticated electrical systems in addition to their structural and mechanical components.
Even damage that appears relatively minor from the outside can require a closer inspection.
That’s one reason Hector Absi believes drivers should avoid judging collision damage solely by appearance. The goal should be understanding what was damaged and determining the appropriate repair procedures for that particular vehicle.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask About the Repair Process
Most drivers don’t spend much time inside collision repair shops—and that’s probably a good thing.
But it also means customers aren’t necessarily familiar with everything that happens between dropping off a damaged vehicle and getting it back.
Ask questions.
What needs to be repaired? Are replacement parts needed? Are there additional steps once repairs begin? How will you be updated?
At Wreck Center, Hector believes communication can make a difficult situation considerably less stressful.
7. Give the Repair Process the Time It Requires
Everyone wants their vehicle back quickly after an accident.
The repair facility wants that too.
But collision repair can involve multiple steps, including inspection, estimating, insurance communication, parts sourcing, body repair, refinishing and final checks.
Unexpected damage can also become visible once a vehicle is disassembled.
According to Wreck Center owner Hector Absi, the priority should always be completing the appropriate repair rather than simply rushing a vehicle through the process.
Helping Henderson Drivers Get Back on the Road
Nobody plans on needing a collision repair shop.
But when an accident happens, having people you can turn to can make the experience easier.
For Hector Absi and Wreck Center, the job is about more than repairing damaged vehicles. It’s about helping Henderson-area drivers navigate an unexpected situation and ultimately get back to their everyday lives.
If you’ve been involved in an accident or have questions about collision damage, contact Wreck Center in Henderson to learn more about the repair process.
Comments