Best Body Shop, Hempstead

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516-292-4342 | 522 Peninsula Blvd Hempstead, NY 11550

What to Do After a Car Accident

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.

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TESTIMONIALS

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Needed my passenger side rearview mirror replaced after somebody's ignorant kids knocked it off my car. I thought he was overpriced, but he was able to get the mirror the next day and paint it to match my car exactly, so I got it. The guy (Louis) was nice though and once I got there, it only took about 10 minutes to put it on...a month+ later and it's still holding up well and the color is exact...so fresh in fact that I know how crisp the paint looked when the car was first bought!
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Love love my car. They did a good job fixing my car. It took a little longer than expected but when I got my car back it was good as new. If you need an auto body person this would be the place. Luis was very helpful and friendly too.
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Superb! Not your run-of-the-mill body shop.
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This place towed my 2009 Acura after an accident. The guys here spoke to the insurance company for me, got me a rental car, and repaired my car. The repairs look great. They also cleaned the entire car for me. I would definitely take my car here again.
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At first I was skeptical about leaving my car with the repair shop that towed my car but the manager here was very friendly and helpful. They filed the claim with Geico, and had the rental company pick me up from their shop. After the car was repaired, they cleaned my car and provide lifetime warranty on the repair. I cannot even tell the car was in an accident. I would definitely bring my car here again.
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Awesome guys, bought a car from them that was totaled, and there were no hidden mysteries for me to find when I got it home. Everything they described to me was to the T, and were super nonnegotiable on time frames. Very reputable sellers, and I will absolutely be doing business with them again!