Car accidents can not only be scary, but they’re also inconvenient. The damage to your vehicle can prevent you from getting where you need to go, and repairs can be expensive and time-consuming. Have a look at the four tips below that can help you keep your finance in good shape after you’re involved in a car accident.
Work With Your Insurance Company
Even if you’ve been the victim of a car accident, your insurance company may still raise the cost of your premiums. Consider working with them to help get your premiums back down. Your car’s reliability and history may help your case and give your available finance more strength. Find out details dictated by the specifics of your car model as well, because some cars may have different requirements from others after similar accidents, which could cause a price difference. For instance, Audi reliability calls for 0.8 visits on average to a repair shop annually, with a probability of about 13% of a repair being a severe one. Knowing these details in advance will leave you well placed to plan your expenditures.
Keep a Lawyer on Retainer
While you may not be at fault in the accident and your insurance company has agreed to ease your financial burden after an accident, remember that they are still a business. To make sure that you have your interests protected at all times, it’s wise to retain a lawyer. Doing this will give you an easy time if you need to contest for a fair settlement. A personal injury lawyer or car accident lawyer will be well-placed to help you stay protected because they have the experience of taking on cases involving car accidents. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this, especially if you’ve experienced injuries.
File a Personal Injury Claim
If another driver’s negligence was responsible for the accident, you may be able to get their insurance company to cover the costs of your vehicle’s repairs. Filing a personal injury claim is a great way to make sure that all your communication in case you need treatment is official and accurate. It will also make things a bit easier for you if you need to take time off work or something similar, and with an estimated 15 million lawsuits filed each year in America, you will be one among many people in a similar situation. Do this as soon as it’s convenient for you to do and you will have an easier period following your car accident. Note that you should be concerned about cracks that are wider than 1/8″, and don’t delay finding out how much of the repair costs your claims will cover.
Shop Around For Quotes
Once injuries and other pressing matters like filing a claim have been dealt with, it’s time to find a place to have your car repaired. Rather than stop at the first body shop you find, shop around and compare prices. You will be able to get a good discount if you take your time. This is because many shops will offer you competitive price matching in a bid to get your business. If your car had to be towed away from the scene of the accident and cannot be driven, get your first quote from the shop that towed it from the accident, and then shop around. When you know the average price range for your repairs, it will be easy to avoid overpaying.
After you settle from the shock of being involved in a car accident, calm down and follow the tips above. These will help you get your car back on the road with a minimal dip into your finance.