What Happens To Damaged Properties After A Road Accident?

When you are involved in a road accident, things might be slightly hectic and overwhelming. People get really anxious while they try to deal with a number of things all at once to follow the correct procedures after the accident. Among the many things that one might be concerned about after a road accident is what is going to happen to their damaged properties. Regardless of the severity of the accident, one should always familiarize themselves with the right actions they should take in case of any damages that harm their property — or in this case, their car. 

Filing for Property Damage Claims with Insurance

Once you’ve been involved in a road accident, the first thing your damaged property should go through is an insurance check-up. When you agree upon a contract with an insurance provider, it is to protect you and your property in such circumstances. But first, you need to know the legal requirements for damage liability insurance in your state as they may vary from one state to another.

For instance, the state of Florida requires all motor vehicle owners to have at least $10,000 in property damage liability insurance. As mentioned on https://www.brookslawgroup.com/car-accident-lawyer/property-damage-faqs/, after a car accident, the drivers should make claims instantly with their insurance provider, who might need to check on the state of the car before reimbursing you for the damage. That is why it is essential to take pictures and videos of the scene and obtain dash cam recordings and submit them with the claim forms to get the best compensation you possibly can. 

Repairing the Vehicle

As soon as you’ve made your claim with the insurance company and submitted all the needed documents and forms, the next step for your damaged vehicle after the accident is getting it fixed. Usually what happens is that the insurance provider offers the owner of the damaged vehicle a number of options as to where they can get the car fixed at the expense of the insurance company directly without the owner having to be the middleman. Other insurance providers offer the claimant a check with the estimated cost, leaving them to choose their preferred means of fixing their vehicle. 

Making Claims for Other Damaged Properties

During some road accidents, the body of the vehicle isn’t the only thing that gets damaged, sometimes the contents of the car will be affected, too. When you apply for insurance, it usually covers everything you own in your vehicle as well as the car itself and you should be compensated for them. If you notice that any of your property, including your phone or any other valuables, may have been damaged during the collision, it is probably within your right to make claims with the insurance company to get them fixed as well or get compensation for them. 

Know Your Rights in Demanding A Substitute Vehicle

If the vehicle you were driving during the accident was damaged on the road collision, then you should discuss with the insurance company as well as your lawyer, if you are indeed entitled to a substitute vehicle. Your insurance company might offer you a temporary car to use while yours is being fixed. On the other hand, if the damage on the property was too severe that it wasn’t salvageable, then you may be entitled to full compensation where they would buy you a new substitute vehicle instead. 

Consider Selling the Damaged Property

A popular decision among many people who undergo road accidents is to sell their car after it has been repaired. You might want to consider giving that step a try if your vehicle has been badly damaged or if you simply don’t feel like using it anymore after the accident. It can be sold as spare parts or, if properly fixed and is in good condition, then you might get a good sum of money to help you purchase a new one. Before making a sale, however, you should always consult with your insurance provider and lawyer to ensure that you are not in breach of any contracts and that you are following the correct procedures. 

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatizing event. Many people can get confused about the next steps that should happen after their car gets damaged in a road accident. The bottom line is, there are a number of crucial steps as well as optional actions that need to be taken after an accident that leaves your property damaged. The most important thing to remember is that you have to get in touch with the insurance provider and lawyer to ensure you get expert advice on the right steps for your specific situation.