How To Deal With An Out-Of-State Car Accident

Driving is a huge responsibility. As a driver, you are constantly doing your best to look out for those around you and your passengers. So if you ever get into a car accident, it may have happened in a brief moment, and now you have a lot of figuring out to do on your shoulders. Then, to make matters more complicated, when it happens when you're in another state for work or vacation, you might have to deal with out-of-state differences. 

Here at Toyota of Orlando, we want to give you the tools so that if you ever run into this situation, you can handle it in the least stressful way possible. So today, our experts will guide you on how to get through it in the least stressful way possible. 

What to do when you get into an out-of-state car accident? 

Step #1 Check on your passengers. 

Safety is first, and you may be in shock at the moment of the accident. So, go ahead and check to see that everyone in the car is ok, including yourself. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance immediately. Then, try to move your Orlando Toyota to the side of the road or move every passenger to the side. 

Step #2 Call the police for police documentation. 

It's crucial to get police documentation of the car accident to provide to your car insurance company (regardless of who's at fault, it was at the scene). Go ahead and call 911 or the local non-emergency number to request an officer to be sent to the location of the car accident. You can discuss what happened and give a copy of the accident report, along with the police officer's name. 

Step #3 Document everything possible. 

When you are at the scene, make sure to take as many photos and videos as possible for evidence purposes. Do not only take footage of your Orlando Toyota car but the other car/cars involved. You also will want to write down everything that happened as it will be fresh from your memory. Make sure to talk to the other people involved in the accident and get their name, insurance, contact information, and the model, color, and license plate number of any other vehicles involved. 

Step #4 Figure out how you will make it home. 

If this is your Orlando Toyota car that was involved in the car accident, you will have to determine whether the damages will sustain making the drive home. If your Orlando Toyota car is sending you signals that something is wrong, you should take it to the nearest mechanic, but if it was a fender bender, you should be able to make it back to your hometown. 

Step #5 Contact your insurance company

You must contact your insurance companies to ensure that you can get the repair process started. For example, if it were a rental car, you would contact the rental company about the accident and go from there. If it were someone else's Orlando Toyota car, you would want to get the vehicle owner to handle other parts. 

Need to get a repair done after a car accident? Visit us at Toyota of Orlando! 

We would love to help you get your car back to normal. Call us at (352)298-0001 if you need to service your vehicle or have any questions! We're open seven days a week, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.