Next Steps After a Car Accident
So you’ve been in a car accident — what you do next is crucial. If you’ve been seriously injured, contact us right away. A personal injury lawyer can help you deal with the insurance company in order to ensure that you are treated fairly and get the compensation you deserve.
If you haven’t been injured, what you do next is still very important to help you save time and money. Unfortunately, even most minor car accidents leave your car in an undriveable state. If this is the case for you, you have some control over your situation.
You have the right to choose the towing service that you want to use. Tow companies are required to be upfront with their rates. Your insurance company may be able to provide a list of preferred vehicle repair shops (If after hours or on a weekend, call your insurer’s 24 hour emergency line). After choosing, have your car towed directly to the repair shop if possible — sending it to the tow company’s impound should be a last resort. DO NOT authorize any repairs without approval from your insurance company FIRST. Your insurer will decide whether to repair or replace your vehicle or pay for the damage.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada has a helpful step by step guide to walk you through the immediate steps to take after an accident. You can find it here.
Once again, if you are injured, ensure you contact a lawyer as soon as possible to help guide you through the steps you should take. Insurance can be tricky and sometimes your coverage isn’t as thorough as you expect. You can contact us at (519) 658-6341 to speak to our experienced personal injury lawyers who will stand up for your rights and give you the help you need to navigate compensation and insurance coverage.
