Image from Pixabay
…sucks. Let’s be honest, no one ever wants to get in a crash. That’s why they’re usually referred to as “accidents”: Nobody gets in their car and tries to hit another car, or a mailbox, or a squirrel.
Image from Pixabay
But car crashes, as scary and frustrating as they are, do happen. In fact, I had the pleasure of dealing with one last week. There are right and wrong ways of taking care of yourself (and your car) afterwards. Here’s a list of things that you can do that will make your life post-accident a little bit easier—but unfortunately, you’ll still probably be calling a lot of Ubers (actually, want to split one with me?).
1. Make sure you’re okay. While it may seem like the end of the world if your car is damaged, your safety (and that of any passengers) is the most important thing.
2. Call the police. Take note of your location and try to tell the dispatcher exactly. It’ll make the process faster if the officers can find you easily, because writing police reports and exchanging information with the other driver(s) can take a while. Make sure to tell them over the phone if you or anyone else involved needs medical attention, so they can send an ambulance if necessary.
3. Call a friend or family member if you have one nearby. They can hug you and make you feel better while everything is going on, which can be a big help. Even if your family is far, it can help to hear a comforting voice.
Image from Pixabay
4. Examine your car for damage. Make sure to take pictures, too—your insurance company will likely ask you to send them for documentation.
5. Call your insurance. They’ll help you check your vehicle and can even call a tow company for you, if you need one. But remember that your insurance costs will likely go up for reporting an accident. If your car has minimal damage, you may be okay just calling the police.
If you’ve experienced car crash, how did you cope, in the moment and following days? Do you have any further suggestions on how to deal with something like this? Let me know in the comments!