After an Accident
What to do after an accident
Six steps, in order. If you'd rather just talk to a person, call us and we'll walk you through it.
The process
From the scene to your keys back
The first moves are yours; the last are ours. Here’s the whole path, in order.
- 1
Step 1 of 6
Get safe and check on everyone
Move the car out of traffic if it can move, and turn your hazards on. Call 911 if anyone might be hurt.
- 2
Step 2 of 6
Photograph everything
Take photos of the damage on both cars, the whole scene, the other car's plate, and the street you're on. Get wide shots and close-ups. These photos matter if there's ever a dispute about what happened.
- 3
Step 3 of 6
Exchange information
Get the other driver's name, phone number, insurance company, and policy number, and give them yours. If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and number too. You don't need to discuss fault at the scene.
- 4
Step 4 of 6
File the claim with your insurance
Call your insurer or use their app, ideally the same day. They'll give you a claim number, and everything after runs on it. You don't need a repair estimate before filing.
- 5
Step 5 of 6
Choose your body shop
In California, this is your decision. Your insurer can recommend shops but can't require one once you tell them where you want the car repaired. Pick a shop you trust and give the insurer its name.
Know Your Rights
“You have to use our approved shop” isn’t true
Under California insurance law, an insurer may suggest repair shops. But once you tell them where you want your vehicle repaired, they cannot require you to go somewhere else, and they aren’t allowed to keep steering you after you’ve stated your choice.
Network shops agree to the insurer’s rates and processes, and plenty of them do fine work. The difference is that a shop you pick yourself answers to you. That matters when there’s a disagreement about whether something should be repaired or replaced.
Choose whoever you trust, us or anyone else, and tell your insurer the name. Your claim carries on the same way.
This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Check the specifics with your own insurer.
- 6
Our part
Bring the car to us
Drive it in, or call us any hour and we'll dispatch the tow. If a tow truck is already at the scene, tell the driver to take the car to 21400 Lassen St Ste J&T, so it doesn't sit in a storage yard. We document the damage, work the claim with your adjuster, and repair the car to factory standard. You'll get updates while it's here.
Come get a free estimate
Estimates are free and usually same day. You can call ahead, come by during open hours, or send us the details online.
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM