When your son or daughter is involved in an accident whether as a driver or a passenger, it is frightening to say the least. The worst part about accidents is that they can cause permanent injuries or even be fatal.
Fortunately not all accidents lead to serious injury. The car however, usually suffers the most.
So what can you, as a Dad do?
Well the best thing you can do is be prepared. Even if you tell your children to be careful when driving, an accident can occur that is not their fault. And even if it is their fault, that’s what accidents are – accidental.
This is why we have put together the following article which is best read with your teenager so they too can be prepared if they ever find themselves in such a situation. If you are already in that situation then you can both act on the advice right away.
First, Report the Accident and Exchange Information
If you do not report the accident as soon as it happens, you might not be compensated from your insurance company. Instead, inform the authorities and your policy provider immediately.
If there is another car involved, you should exchange information with them but do not discuss who is at fault. This is the work of the insurance companies. Comprehensive insurance is the best cover, but as long as you have third party coverage you will be covered if you are at fault.
Important information to be exchanged includes the license plate and policy numbers, driver’s license, and location of the accident. Also, contact information and the full names, insurance company, type, color, and model of the cars.
A Wrecked Car Is No Longer Safe
If your car has been involved in an accident but is still running, it may no longer be safe to drive as there could be parts that are compromised. Never risk your or anyone else’s life by driving an unsafe vehicle.
It is always best to have it professionally assessed by a licensed mechanic. This should be organized by your insurer. Only a mechanic will be able to identify hidden safety issues that you or I may overlook.
Imagine driving a car with faulty airbags or if the impact-absorbing components are in bad shape. If you have another accident, the outcome could be fatal.
Decision After The Assessment
How badly damaged your vehicle is will determine what happens next. Essentially there are different outcomes that will be decided by your insurance company. These are the decisions they will make after the mechanic’s assessment:
- Will they repair the damage or will it be classified as a write-off?
- Will you gain ownership of the vehicle or will they take it to recover some costs?
If It Is Classified As Totaled
If after an assessment the cost to repair it will be more than the value of the car, it is considered totaled. This means that the car is no longer roadworthy and a considerable amount of work is required to get it back to safe condition.
Unless the car is a rare and unique collectible, it is smarter to part ways at the point. However you still may be offered to take ownership of the vehicle.
Many people would choose against this, but there is still value even in wrecked cars like this.
An Expert Can Repair a Wrecked Car
A wrecked car is unsafe until it is repaired to completion. Unless this is the case, it should never be back on the road.
If the damage is moderate, an authorized body shop can help you make it roadworthy again. There are specialists for different car makes that follow manufacturer specifications.
With an expert, it can be restored to its pre-accident condition. They will assess the damage, check what can be repaired and what needs replacement.
It is important that you work with your insurance company and an authorized technician for the specific brand of the vehicle. They are licensed, insured, and authorized. This way, it will be easy to get it back on the road.
Even Unrepairable Cars Are Still Worth Something
When your vehicle comes out of the accident in a really bad way, it may really be unrepairable. In this case you may thing it has no value, but think again.
There are always things in a motor vehicle that can be salvaged. The windows, doors, hood, transmission, electronic circuits, tires, disk brakes, the list goes on. There are plenty of ways to sell a car in parts, even if the most obvious parts you can see are damaged.
However, most people don’t want to go through all that hassle and would prefer to sell it to a car removal company who can do all that work themselves. These companies are wreckers who buy cars for scrapping and recycling purposes. So they always find value and pay you for it.
Final Thoughts
Let’s face it, no matter how many precautions you take for you or your teenagers, accidents can happen.
In the event of an accident, what matters most is the well-being of all those involved. If there were no major injuries, then the worry shifts to the car.
Not all accidents are fatal, and sometimes even the car may have only very minor damage. It all depends on the extent of the incident.
Remember that it is not advisable to get a totaled car back on the road unless you take the time to repair it to correct requirements. The easiest option is to sell it to the wreckers.
You will also need to agree with your insurance provider on whether you want to keep it or they can keep it. If you choose the former, you can still make money from it through cash for car services.
If the insurance company keeps it, you will be compensated the cash value of the vehicle pre-accident.
It is essential to understand the repercussions of a car accident. The do’s and don’ts as well as what to expect.
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