How to Appropriately Respond to a Car Accident
To ensure the safety of yourself and others. If you are involved in an accident, it is important to stay calm and assess the situation. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there are no obvious injuries, it is important to seek medical attention to be checked out for any hidden injuries.
Ensure Safety First:
The immediate priority after an accident is safety. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, turn on hazard lights, and check for injuries among yourself, passengers, and others involved. Call 911 for medical assistance if necessary.
Notify Law Enforcement:
Contact law enforcement as soon as possible. It's crucial to report the accident to the police as they will create an official accident report, which can be valuable for insurance claims and legal purposes later on.
Exchange Information:
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident. Gather names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. It would be ideal to be polite and cooperative during this process. Also, make sure to get information from any witnesses as well.
Document the Accident:
Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and traffic signs. This visual evidence can be essential for insurance claims. Write down details such as where the accident took place, what the weather was like, etc.
Seek Medical Attention:
Even if you don't feel injured immediately, it's advisable to seek medical attention. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, and a medical evaluation can help in documenting any injuries related to the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary details, including the other driver's information and the accident report number.
Avoid Placing Fault:
While it's essential to cooperate with the authorities and share information, avoid admitting fault or making accusations towards anyone involved. Fault determination is often handled by the insurance companies and legal processes.
Contact an Attorney:
If the accident involves significant injuries or complex liability issues, consider consulting an attorney experienced in personal injury cases. They can provide guidance on your legal rights and potential claims.
Keep Records:
Maintain detailed records of all accident-related expenses, such as medical bills, repair costs, and any missed workdays due to injuries. This documentation will be crucial for insurance claims and potential lawsuits.
Follow Up with Insurance:
Stay in communication with your insurance company throughout the claims process. Cooperate with their investigations, provide requested documents promptly, and keep track of claim progress.
Additional Notes:
When you're using a body shop to get repairs to your vehicle, be aware that the insurance company can recommend a shop, but you are under no legal obligation to use its services. You have the legal right to choose the shop to do your repairs.
Also be aware that insurance companies sometimes try to dictate what type of parts are used in a vehicle's repair. They might insist that a shop not use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, as they are more expensive.
what our customers say
Forgive me as it has been some time since I was there, but about a month ago I was getting ready to head over to Orlando for work training from Sarasota. I pulled out of my driveway and my power steering was gone. I immediately drove to the only auto repair shop I have been to since living out here and they were too busy to help me. I started to google shops around me and Hitchcock Automotive came up. I made my way over and they had space and time to help me out right away. Scott Sr. (I believe was his name) was super kind (which I usually find uncommon as a woman looking to get her car fixed) and he reassured me it was an easy fix. The ?o-ring? had completely broken a piece off and they got my car up and cleaned up and replaced the ring within 20-30 min. I expressed my thanks and asked how much I owed and he told me it was on them and not to worry about it. Believe me I was worried about it. I never know how much mechanics are going to charge me and I couldn?t believe he did all of that for free. It was probably an easy little fix for them, but it was a huge fix to my day and restored a part of my faith in kindness. Thank you guys seriously. You had no idea how helpful that was to me when I needed it. Many thanks and will be back for any future car troubles. I highly recommend making this your first stop with auto repairs. A trustworthy team, quality work, and a safe and clean space. 10/10 guys.
I was looking for a good auto repair shop for my Lexus when I found Hitchcock Automotive mentioned several times on Next Door. I called and brought my car in with a list of items that needed to be repaired and asked if they would give me an estimate. While I waited, they looked the car over , gave me a very good price on the repairs and offered to do the work that day or the next, based on my convenience. I am very happy with the work that was done on my car and quite impressed with the customer service of Hitchcock Automotive. What a great find! Just an update to my last review because I know people are always looking for a good auto mechanic. My husband and I have used Hitchcock Automotive several times now for my Lexus RX 350 and his Jeep and we are extremely happy with their service. Scott, the owner, is just great! He runs a very efficient shop where the work is done on time and in line with the estimate. We have never had to bring anything back for an adjustment. Scott explains what needs to be done and , just as importantly, what doesn?t need to be done. When we bring our cars in for service, we know that the work will be done correctly and that we will be treated in a professional and courteous manner.
I couldn't speak more highly of this family owned and operated shop! They were honest, reasonable, good people. I will be recommending them to everyone I know! I came in with a muffler issue, they could have looked at me and assumed they could make some good money off of me by telling me I needed an all new muffler installed. Instead they brought me into the garage showed me the exact problem along with their recommendation and were able to easily fix the problem with very little cost to me. Five stars ? Thank you for being one of the good ones!!
