It’s stressful enough to be in a car accident, but now we have to be concerned about staying socially-distanced after a collision. If you happen to find yourself in an unfortunate incident out on the roads during the time of Covid, here are a few tips to help get you through it.
- Always be prepared before you leave. During these pandemic times, you probably already have masks with you when you leave the house. But a good point of practice is to have extras in your car, not only for when you might happen to forget one when you leave, but you’ll have extras in case of car trouble. It’s a good idea to keep extra hand sanitizer in your car too. During winter, make sure your tires are properly inflated with good tread and that your car has a full tank of gas, to reduce the likelihood of accidents or getting stuck out on the road.
- Staying distant. If you have an accident and someone is hurt, one of the first things to do is call 911. You should call the local police or sheriff’s office to report the accident. In most states, when a car accident results in injuries or causes vehicle damage over a certain dollar amount, contacting law enforcement is legally required. You should put your mask on before dealing with other people and maintain a distance of six feet from the other driver, occupants and first responders. If you have to wait for police or responders to arrive, stay six feet apart or wait inside your separate vehicles.
- Exchanging information. In the event that both parties are able, consider sharing your insurance information electronically using your smart phones, to avoid physical contact through sharing paper and pens. Remember to exchange your names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and vehicle descriptions that include make, color, and model. Take photos of the damages to the vehicles and the scene of the accident, and then you can share those electronically as well. An added benefit is some insurance companies offer mobile tools to help submit claims digitally. Again, remember to wear your masks properly and to social distance during this process. If you do physically exchange items, use hand sanitizer when you are done.
- Getting an estimate electronically. Some collision repair shops will accept digital photos of vehicle damage to generate a virtual estimate so you can remain socially distant.
If you happen to find yourself in an accident, don’t panic and remember these tips to help follow social distance guidelines. Then give Oakdale Collision Center a call today for an estimate for your collision repair needs.