How to react to a car accident out of state

If you’ve ever gotten into a car accident, you know that it’s a stressful situation for everyone involved regardless of the location. However, getting into a collision out of state adds a whole new element of stress. Can your car make it home? Where should you get your auto repairs? Will your insurance policy still cover you? Check out this quick guide from the experts at Toyota of Clermont’s body shop to get all the info you need on out-of-state car accidents.

Five tips for out-of-state car accidents

Tip #1: Make sure everyone is alright before you do anything else. Before you do anything else at all, make sure that you and your passengers are uninjured from the car accident. If anyone is hurt, immediately call 911 to get emergency services to the scene. You should also try to move your car to the side of the road if possible to get out of the way of oncoming cars; if you can’t, then you and your passengers need to get out and move to a safe spot well away from passing cars.

Tip #2: Contact local police. Next, contact local law enforcement to get an officer out to the scene of the car accident. You can either call 911 or the local non-emergency number. You’ll need a police report for the car accident regardless of who is at fault; make sure you get their name and badge number as well as a copy of the report before they leave.

Tip #3: Write down details and document everything with photos or videos. Now it’s time to document EVERYTHING. Write down a detailed description of what happened as well as where and when it happened. Get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other driver and also be sure to write down the make, model, color, and license plate number of their vehicle. Next, take photos and videos of both vehicles to document the damage to your Clermont Toyota and the other car, and the scene of the accident.

Tip #4: Contact your car insurance company and other relevant parties. Who should you contact next? You’ll definitely need to get in touch with your car insurance company to report the accident and get the repair process started, and good news – your insurance should cover you even if you’re in a different state. If you have a rental car, you’ll need to contact the rental agency to report the accident. If you borrowed a car via a company like Turo, get in contact with the owner of the vehicle.

Tip #5: Make sure you figure out whether or not you can make it home. How bad is the damage to your car after a car accident? If it was a fender bender, chances are you’re OK to get home. But you should still have it checked at the Toyota of Clermont body shop to ensure there’s no hidden damage, and if you notice a problem on the way home, stop immediately to have your car checked at the nearest mechanic. If you can’t get home, your insurance company can help you figure out the nearest repair shop and how to go about the process of getting things fixed.

Toyota of Clermont can get you back on the road after a collision

Have questions or need repairs after a car accident? Call Toyota of Clermont today. Our body shop is open and waiting at (352) 404-7001 and we’re conveniently located just west of the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50. Visit us for Clermont auto repairs today!

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