7 Tips for Collision Repair after a Winter Car Accident

After a slow start to winter, we’re beginning to see some snowier weather both in the Denver area and up in the mountains. For the many ski aficionados in the Denver area, this is a cause for joy. However, the snowy and icy roads also increase the likelihood of a car accident. If you’re involved in an accident this winter, you’ll need to fix any damage to your vehicle to ensure it works properly. The following tips will help you navigate the collision repair process.

Call 911 Before Leaving the Accident Scene

The first thing you should always do after a car accident is make sure no one has been seriously injured. If someone has been badly hurt, dial 911 immediately to request emergency medical assistance.

Even when no one appears to have suffered a serious injury, you should always call the police and request an officer be dispatched to the scene. This is an important step since the official police report serves as an important piece of documentation of the accident. In many instances, the police report will provide insight regarding who was at fault, and this information will be very helpful when you file a claim with your insurance company.

Sometimes the other driver may ask you to avoid calling the police, especially in situations where the accident didn’t result in large scale property damage or a serious injury. However, it’s always best to ask for a police officer to evaluate the accident scene and file a report. This is especially true if you believe the other driver caused the accident.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

Before leaving the scene of the accident, make sure you exchange the following information with the other driver:

• Name
• Contact information
• Vehicle registration information
• License plate number
• Driver’s license number
• Insurance information

If there are any witnesses present, record their names and contact information as well.

Avoid Discussing Fault

Never discuss fault or apologize when speaking with the other driver or a police officer at the scene of the accident. Any admission of fault on your part can potentially impact your insurance claim. It’s best to let the police and the insurance agents analyze the accident evidence in order to determine fault.

Take Pictures of Vehicle Damage

If it’s safe to do so while you’re still at the accident scene, take photos of the damage to both vehicles. If possible, take photographs of the positioning of each vehicle and any indicators, such as skid marks, which may help determine who was at fault. These photos will be helpful when filing an insurance claim and when dealing with the auto body shop.

Notify Your Insurance Company

You’re required to notify your insurance company of the accident within a timely manner. Answer all questions honestly, but don’t admit fault to the insurance adjuster. In many instances, the insurance company may want to schedule an appointment for an adjuster to examine the damage to your vehicle.

Get Several Collision Repair Estimates

Before fixing your vehicle, your insurance company will want you to get a collision repair estimate breaking down the cost of all necessary repairs. It’s always best to get estimates from 2-3 collision repair shops. This will allow you to compare the list of necessary repairs as well as the prices quoted for each item. When you have several estimates, it will give you a better understanding of what truly needs to be done. Keep in mind that your insurance company may also want their adjuster to provide you with an estimate before signing off on repairs.

The auto body shop should detail the following information as part of the estimate:

• An itemized list of all necessary repairs
• Which parts need to be replaced
• Whether replacement parts will be new or second-hand
• Whether original manufacturer parts or generic parts will be used

While cost is generally a factor for most people, it should not be the only factor. In many instances, you’ll get what you pay for. When you choose the lowest estimate, you may run the risk of receiving poorer quality repair work.

Choose a Collision Repair Shop

Once you have your estimates and the insurance company has signed off on the repairs, you’ll need to choose an auto body shop to work with. In some instances, your insurance company may recommend a collision shop for you to use. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not required to work with their preferred shop. You should always choose the body shop you believe will provide the best quality collision repair work.

Before choosing an auto body shop, check out their reviews online. This will allow you to learn about the experiences of other customers. Be wary of working with a shop that has numerous poor reviews.

In addition to working with a reliable collision repair shop that has a strong reputation, you should always ask for a written guarantee associated with any work performed. This will give you piece of mind that repairs will be completed correctly.

Before the shop begins work on your vehicle, discuss protocol for how they will handle any unexpected repairs not listed as part of the estimate. You should also speak with your insurance company to make sure they cover these extra repairs. Once the work has been completed, examine the vehicle carefully before taking it home. If you’re not satisfied with the repairs, work with the body shop to make sure they address any issues you may have.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help

If you’re involved in a car accident this winter, Accurate Auto Body can help. We have more than 25 years of experience, and we offer comprehensive collision repair services to address any damage your vehicle has sustained.

You’ll benefit from our exclusive Focus On You Service System™ which ensures you receive the exceptional quality service you deserve. When you work with Accurate Auto Body, you can count on:

• Highly personalized attention throughout the repair process
• Guaranteed pricing
• Faster turnaround times
• Guaranteed delivery dates
• Auto repair consulting to ensure you understand all of your options
• Flexible scheduling options
• Repair update options that meet your unique needs
• Full auto insurance coordination

By placing the needs of our clients first, we’re able to deliver the exceptional customer service you deserve. Our goal is to provide the finest quality collision repairs in order to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. Our technicians have extensive experience working on all makes and models of vehicles, ensuring we’re able to address any items that are unique to your specific vehicle.

If you don’t have collision insurance, we can still help. Our team regularly handles repairs that don’t go through insurance, and we’ll work with you on a repair plan that fits within your budget.

Schedule an Appointment

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment. Accurate Auto Body serves customers in Aurora and throughout the Denver metro area.