Who Makes the Claim After a Car Accident?

If you’ve just been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering who’s responsible for calling the insurance company to make a claim. To help our local drivers in Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton answer this question, Collision 24 created the following guide. Please enjoy reading and if you need to schedule a service appointment, click here.

Who’s to Claim?

In a car accident, who’s to claim is largely up to who’s at fault for the accident. Did you crash into the other car or did the other car crash into you?

If you know you were at fault, you and the other driver involved will both file claims to your insurance provider. For you, this would be known as a first-party claim and for the other driver it would be considered a third-party claim.

If the opposite was true, both parties would still file claims, but you would file a third-party claim to the other driver’s company, while they’d file a first-party claim to their own insurance provider.

Gathering the Information You Need to File a Claim

Filing an insurance claim is the first step in reconciling the aftermath of an accident. There’s two sides to every story and the information provided by both parties will be used to determine settlement, so you want to make sure that the information you give is accurate and objective.

To make a claim after a car accident, you’ll want to rely on the same facts you told the police when you reported the accident. Here’s a refresher:

  • Location of the accident
  • Account of what happened
  • The other driver’s name and insurance information
  • Names and contact info of any witnesses
  • Pictures of both cars taken at the time of accident

Filing an Insurance Claim

Whether you’re filing a third-party claim or a first-party claim, make sure to contact your insurance company and stick to the facts as best you can.

It’s important to remember that just because the police found one person at fault, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the same conclusion will be made by the insurance company. If you’re filing third-party and don’t believe to have been at fault for the accident, it’s still a wise idea to give your own insurance company a call to make sure they stay in the loop as to what’s going on.

Read up on more tips for filling an insurance claim and getting your vehicle repaired here.

Claim Made, Now What?

While the at-fault driver is primarily responsible for notifying their insurance company through a first-party claim after the accident, the best practice is to file third-party if needed and always follow up with your own insurance provider. After claims have been filed, a claims adjuster will be assigned to your accident to review the relevant information and evidence and come to a resolution.

If your car has been damaged and needs repairs, you’re entitled to choose the collision repair provider you prefer to fix up your vehicle. For expert collision repair in Brockton, Randolph, or Stoughton, Collision 24 is your one-stop solution for professional appraisals and top-notch body work.

Our collision specialists will work with your insurance company or the other party’s insurance company to make sure you get the repairs you need. Contact us today by phone or through our online appointment form.

 

How to Report a Car Accident

You can do your best to obey the rules of the road and practice good driving judgement while traveling around Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton, but getting into an accident can be beyond your control. Whether your vehicle is directly involved or you see an accident occur on the road, every driver should know how to report a car accident.

Having this information in mind will help you remain calm, get help to the scene if needed, and ensure that the proper information is provided to the police or your insurance company.

Before You Report a Car Accident

Before you get to the reporting stage, confirm that nobody’s hurt first. If you were directly involved in the accident, pull your car to the side of the road and shut it off.

If someone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. Getting an ambulance for somebody who’s hurt always should always take precedence.

Reporting a Car Accident to the Police

Even if you just got into a minor fender bender, if there has been any level of damage sustained to the cars involved, you’re going to want to call or visit your local police station and get a report filed for the accident. Later, this report can help in the dealings with your insurance company and the other party involved.

Be prepared before you dial with the answers to the following:

  • Where did the accident take place?
  • What happened?
  • How many people were involved?
  • Were there any injuries?
  • What are the names of the driver(s) and passenger(s)?
  • What is the insurance information for both parties?
  • Were there any witnesses? What is their contact info?

Reporting a Car Accident to Your Insurance Company

Once a police report has been filed, you’re going to also want to report the accident to your insurance company to get the process of filing a claim, determining fault, and reaching settlement started.

Here are some tips to follow:

  • Take pictures of the damage to both cars.
  • Call as soon as you are calm enough to do so.
  • When telling your story, stick to the facts.
  • Don’t accept immediate offers or sign to settle right off the bat.

Reporting a Car Accident to Your Local Collision Service Provider

If your car sustained damage from the incident, there’s one more party you want to keep in mind when it comes to how to report a car accident after both the police and your insurance company have been notified: a professional collision repair facility in the area.

Collision 24—located in the heart of Brockton, MA—is proud to be the collision repair center on speed dial of countless South Shore drivers.

Our team of collision specialists are well-versed in all thing accidents. We have expert auto appraisers on staff and professionals who will work with your insurance company during the claims process to ensure you get the required repairs for your vehicle, paid out to the maximum your policy allows.

If you’ve been involved in an accident in Brockton, Randolph, or Stoughton, call us today.

 

Common Types of Collisions

Drivers have to be aware of everything around them when they’re on the road. Even with a watchful eye, it’s not always possible to avoid all accidents. There’s an endless amount of problems that could occur on the highways and back roads of the Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton areas.

Luckily, most accidents are minor incidents that don’t cause a lot of damage or result in serious injuries. Some of the most concerning are collisions that involve two or more vehicles. Here are the most common types of collisions and the types of injuries they frequently cause.

Head-on Collisions

Probably the most consistently dangerous type of collision is the head-on accident. This event happens when an impact takes place between two vehicles traveling toward each other. Approximately 10% of all motor vehicle fatalities occur as a result of head-on collisions, despite the fact that they account for only 2% of all accidents. Common injuries during front-end collisions include spinal damage and paralysis, brain injuries, broken bones, and internal damage.

New Forward Collision Warning technology can help prevent some head-on collisions, but it’s important to always keep your eyes on the road and drive safely.

Rear-end Collision

This is one of the most common types of accidents. It typically occurs because vehicles are traveling too close together or the driver in the rear car isn’t paying attention. In a small amount of these accidents, the driver in front reverses without warning and causes the accident.

Whiplash is the most common injury seen in this type of accident, and most of the incidents that occur each year are minor compared to other types of collisions. To avoid rear-end collisions, keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. If someone is traveling too close behind you, change lanes or pull over safely and let them pass.

Side-impact Collisions

Side-impact accidents are another one of the most common types of collisions that can be extremely devastating. The accident results in a perpendicular hit that often leads to secondary hits to nearby structures or other vehicles, or could cause the vehicle to roll over.

Broken bones, lacerations, and spinal injuries are common. Brain injury and even death are also commonly experienced during side impacts. How to avoid side-impact collisions? Slow down before approaching intersections so you can check to make sure they’re clear. Make sure that cross traffic has stopped completely before proceeding.

The use of seat belts, installation of additional airbags, and defensive driving techniques have helped to save a lot of lives affected by collisions. Understanding how they cause injury and what leads to these types of events has been a useful strategy in making the roadways safer for all. All drivers should do what they can to learn more about the risks they face on the road and what they can do to keep themselves and their family safer.

If you’re in the Brockton, Randolph, or Stoughton area and are in need of collision repair, please contact us at Collision 24.

What Is a DRP Body Shop?

Getting in a car accident is never fun. Thankfully, we have insurance companies that walk us through the process of getting your car fixed and just like new. A lot of times, our insurance companies will suggest body shops that they work closely with in dealing with accidents.

These are called DRP body shops. DRP stands for Direct Repair Program, which is simply the relationship between a body shop and insurance company. Drivers in Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton can find a body shop that’s both quick and reliable simply by checking in with their insurance company.

If this sounds a little unfamiliar, our team at Collision 24 has put together this educational piece on this topic. Keep reading to find out the details of working with a DRP body shop.

DRP Body Shop Advantages for You

When you get in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to do is a bunch of research as to where to bring your damaged vehicle. That’s why your insurance company will have a few shops in your area that they trust to give the best estimate and get the job done efficiently.

A DRP body shop has been carefully investigated by your insurance company to make sure they have the right certifications and skills to get your vehicle back in order.

Do I Have to Use a DRP Body Shop?

You don’t have to use a DRP body shop. It’s actually illegal for your insurance company to try to persuade you to use their designated body shops; this is called “steering.”

If you have a trusted collision center or auto technician you feel more comfortable bringing your vehicle to after an accident, you still have that option! DRP body shops are just suggestions from your insurance company.

How Does This Benefit My Insurance Company?

Your insurance company benefits from its relationship with a DRP body shop by getting the most efficient, direct estimate. Think about it: If you were paying out of pocket, you wouldn’t want to pay an astronomical price for work that may need repair again in a few months if not done correctly the first time. Your insurance company feels the same way.

What’s the Advantage for the Body Shop?

A DRP body shop has undergone inspections by an insurance agency to make sure they’re a reputable collision center. Essentially, this looks great for the body shop; it shows consumers that they’re trustworthy, and gets their name out there to drivers who may not have heard of them otherwise.

Learn More About Your Local DRP Shop

Our team at Collison 24 takes pride in being the collision center for Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton drivers. We have relationships with insurance companies throughout the area, providing the best estimates and timeliest service so that your vehicle returns to you better than ever.

If you’d like to get to know more about our services, feel free to contact us at any time!

7 Steps to Parallel Parking Correctly

Parallel parking is one of the trickiest driving maneuvers to master. What’s even worse, street parking incorrectly or misjudging the space you have available to adequately park can put you at risk of being involved in a collision with the cars around you or another passing by.

Like many driving skills, when it comes to improving your parallel parking execution, practice makes perfect!

To help our local drivers avoid parallel parking-related accidents and park with confidence, Collision 24 in Brockton put together the following parallel parking tips.

1. Find the Right-Sized Space

The key to parallel parking correctly starts with tracking down a space that’s large enough for your car. Your target space should be roughly six feet longer than your car, since you’ll need wiggle room in order to get in and out of the spot.

2. Put on Your Turn Signal

As you approach the space you’d like to park in, activate your blinker to show that you’ll be maneuvering into the space.

3. Align Your Back Tires with the Front Car’s Rear Bumper

Pull up past the space so that your car’s back tires are in line with the back bumper of the car in front of the parking spot. Don’t get too close to the other car side to side, leave about two or three feet of space so that you don’t come into contact with the car when you attempt to get into the spot.

4. Turn the Steering Wheel Hard Toward the Curb

Turn the steering wheel all the way in the direction of the curb (sending the front of your car away from the other car) and shift into reverse.

5. Reset Your Steering to Straight

Once you’ve reached a 45-degree angle, or when you can see the edge of the sidewalk in your back window, set the steering back to straight.

6. Turn the Wheel All the Way Toward the Street

When the front of your car is past the back of the car in front, turn the wheel all the way in the opposite direction (toward the street) and ease backwards.

7. Adjust Forward or Back

Once you’re in line with the car in front of and behind yours, straighten the wheel again and adjust forward or back so that both cars have enough room to exit their spaces.

Put These Parallel Parking Tips to The Test

Parallel parking in Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton can be stressful, especially if you’re trying to focus on parking safely while another car is waiting behind you.

Until you feel secure about parallel parking on your own, you may be more comfortable practicing at an empty parking lot with cones or large boxes. Having an experienced parallel parking passenger in the car with you can also help solidify these steps. And if need be, they can get out of the car to give you directions.

Best of luck with your future parking endeavors!

Three Brockton, MA Lawyers You Want on Your Side if You Get into an Accident

When we think about getting into a car accident, we often consider the damages to our vehicles and lament the expenses to straighten out the frame or touch-up a plastic fender. What’s less talked about is the permanent damage that can occur to the people inside the vehicle at the time of the accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation to help pay for your medical bills, time spent out of work, and pain and grieving.

You want the best and the brightest accident and personal injury lawyer to represent you and fight for your case. To help you connect with a professional lawyer specializing in this category, Collision 24 found three expert local law firms that you want on your side. Read more about them, listed in alphabetical order, below.

d’Oliveira & Associates

D’Oliveira & Associates is a qualified team of lawyers with over 28 years of experience in winning settlements for car accident cases on the South Shore.

Each d’Oliveira associate has a minimum of 15 years of personal experience handling car accident and personal injury claims; they know these complicated cases inside and out. D’Oliveira & Associates has the skills and the expertise to stand up for your rights in court and dispute your insurance company if needed to ensure you get the highest possible settlement for your injuries.

The Law Office of Joshua Weinberger

The Law Office of Joshua Weinberger brings reliable counsel and expert legal representation to individuals and families across Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton.

In handling your personal injury case, Joshua’s team of assertive and proactive attorneys call on top-notch doctors, including trauma specialists and chiropractors as well as accident reconstruction analysts to create an accurate and compelling testimony of your experience to help you get the financial reimbursement you deserve.

Joel H. Schwartz, P.C.

In the last 50 years, Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. has won millions of dollars of cash settlement for Brockton area personal injury claims, as well as numerous local and national awards for their law firm’s dedication and success.

Joel H. Schwartz’s steadfast team of law experts specializes in personal injury and auto accidents. Their substantial experience in the complexities of personal injury law, dealing with everything from achy backs to brain or head injuries, makes them an incredible partner in getting you the compensation and care you need.

Don’t Wait to Contact One of These Exceptional Brockton Law Firms

In the state of Massachusetts, there’s a limited window in which you can file a personal injury claim with the intent to pursue cash settlement. If you’ve been in an accident, don’t wait to contact one of these exemplary lawyers with offices located in Brockton.

Insurance Claim Checklist

All parts of an accident are stressful, from the event itself to sorting out your insurance coverage, filing a claim, and awaiting settlement.

Collision 24 of Brockton is helping you get the insurance claim process underway with the following checklist. Make sure you have the items and pieces of information below before you get on the phone to file a claim with your insurance company or the other party’s insurance. You can even print this list and check off each section as you collect what you’ll need.

□ Your Insurance Policy Number

You’ll have to provide the insurance representative you speak to with your insurance policy number so they can quickly locate your coverage information and start the claim filing process.

□ The Who

You may share a vehicle with a spouse, have multiple cars insured under your name, or there may have been another person behind the wheel at the time. Be sure you’re clear about the car and driver involved. Keep the car’s license plate number and your social security number on hand for verification.

If there was another party involved, provide their name and insurance information. If applicable, share any contact details you have for witnesses who were at the scene at the time of the accident.

□ The Where and When

The date and location of the accident are essential factors of recounting what happened. Try to be as specific as possible by providing the address, mile marker, or intersection where the event took place.

Many insurance companies will ask you for the police report number for the accident to verify this information and further inform what happened.

□ The What

Your account of the events that occurred leading up to the crash or collision is incredibly important. Provide detailed, relevant information about what happened, including what you saw and how you reacted. Keep in mind that for a fair settlement to be reached, you need to be truthful and clear in your story. Exaggerating or lying could cause you to be denied coverage.

If you were injured in the accident and received medical attention, you may need to provide a medical release form to allow your insurance company to review your records.

Getting Items in Order and Making the Call

Filing an insurance claim is about providing the company with the most accurate information possible so justice can be served. Your statement plays a key role in the outcome of the case, so it’s important you make your call to file a claim as soon as you’re calm enough to do so post-accident. With our checklist, you’ll have everything you need!

Contact Collision 24 for Vehicle Repairs and Restoration

After your claim is carried through and fault is determined, if your vehicle needs repairs, make sure you choose a trusted collision service provider in the area that works with all major insurance companies, like Collision 24.

We provide Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton drivers with exemplary post-accident assistance and repairs, from detailing to frame reconstruction, while working with your insurance provider. Want to get in touch with us? Schedule an appointment here or call 508-586-2010 today.

Top Three Car Insurance Questions You Should Know the Answers To

Finding the right car insurance is an incredibly important part of protecting yourself, your investment, and others. Knowing what to look for in a reputable insurance provider can feel like you’re back at square one of your car research.

To help our local auto insurance shoppers in Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton purchase great coverage at an affordable price point, Collision 24 put together the following car insurance research guide.

Not sure where to start with your auto insurance search? Answer these three questions first.

1. What Coverage and Options Do I Need?

The first car insurance question you should know the answer to is what level of coverage you need. Knowing this requires knowing what each type involves. Here are the top five most common types of coverage.

  • Liability: In almost every state, Liability Coverage is mandatory. It covers bodily injury and property damage for the other party, should you be at fault (liable).
  • Collision: Helps pay for the cost to repair your car should you get into an accident with another car or another’s property, like a mail box or telephone pole.
  • Comprehensive: Involves all coverage for damage that occurs outside of an accident, including theft, hurricanes, hail, etc. See the complete difference between collision and comprehensive coverage and how to choose here.
  • Personal Injury Protection and Medical: These last two coverage types are separate, but serve a similar purpose. Medical Coverage pays for medical assistance should you or anyone in your car get hurt due to an accident, while Personal Injury Protection includes a broader medical coverage array, like rehabilitation costs.

2. Is the Company I’m Considering a Reputable One?

While you pay for insurance, it’s up to your insurance company to pull their weight should you be involved in an accident. With something as big as your safety and financial security on the line, you want to make sure the providers you’re considering are trustworthy, certified, and financially strong.

You can get a big piece of the answer to this on your state’s Department of Insurance website (here’s the Division of Insurance for Massachusetts). It’s also useful to review consumer complaint ratios of fellow insurance holders on this site.

Another place you can go to get in-depth information about the offerings and customer service quality of an insurance provider is J.D. Power Consumer Center. J.D. Power’s annual auto insurance survey is a great resource for checking out prices, different coverage combinations, customer satisfaction ratings, and more.

3. Can I Work with an Agent or Broker?

To a brand-new car owner and insurance holder, the world of auto insurance can be overwhelming. If you found a company or several that check out, see if you can either work with an agent (who represents multiple companies) or a broker (who works for one company) to write your policy for you.

Agents are committed to your satisfaction and helping you attain the best coverage and price for your needs, so this is a great option if you still feel like you’re not fully comprehending things.

Get Insured and Get Familiar with Local Accident Assistance Providers

Overall, the most important part of shopping for auto insurance is being inquisitive! These may be the top three car insurance questions, but you shouldn’t hold back if you need guidance or don’t understand something. The right company will be happy to answer all your questions.

Now that you’re closer to finding an auto insurance plan that brings you peace of mind without compromising your budget, it’s time to read up on the area’s accident repair and body shops. Having these resources already in mind can save you time and frustration, should you ever find yourself in an accident.

For drivers in Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton, the best accident repair and body shop is Collision 24 in Brockton. We’re a direct repair shop that works with all major insurance providers. To find out more, visit our collision services page or call 508-586-2010.

How to Get the Best Estimate after an Accident

You rely on your car every day to get from Point A to Point B, so in the aftermath of an accident, getting it fixed as soon as possible takes precedence.

The repair process starts with requesting an estimate of how much repairs will cost. Not all estimates are created equal and not all repair shops are, either.

To help you get the best post-accident repair estimate, Collision 24 in Brockton put together the following guide for local South Shore car owners like you. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a fair estimate from a quality body shop you can trust.

Compare Multiple Estimates

Interpreting the quality and coverage of the estimates you receive is easier when you have several to compare. You also want to make sure the providers you’re getting estimates from are shops you want to do business with.

First, you’ll need to do some background research to find several reputable repair shops in your area that provide comprehensive services.

Are the shop technicians certified? What processes and equipment are used? You can also ask friends and family where they’ve taken their cars and if they’ve been satisfied with their experiences.

Once you’ve comprised a short list of quality shops, request detailed estimates that include line-item pricing for the parts and labor required. Pay careful attention to whether the damage that’s found is consistent from shop to shop.

Remember: What You Pay for Is What You Get

Typically, quality repair work is going to cost more, so the estimate you should go with likely won’t be the lowest one possible. It’s worth it to pay a little more if you know that comprehensive, quality work will be done.

Many times, your insurance company will recommend a local repair shop where you can get your repairs done. Sometimes, these providers will be the choice you go with and other times they won’t be. You should apply the same logic you did for the shops you identified above to any service provider recommended by your insurance. Never forget that as the owner of the car, you have the final decision as to where you have your vehicle repaired.

How Collision 24 Can Help

If you’re seeking a trustworthy repair shop in the Brockton, Randolph, or Stoughton areas, make Collision 24 in Brockton one of your preferred shops to receive an appraisal and repair estimate.

We’re an established collision repair services facility staffed by licensed appraisers and highly trained collision repair technicians. If you choose to work with us, we provide the convenience of communicating directly with your insurance company to work out claim details and help move the process forward.

Need an estimate ASAP? Schedule an appointment with us online or call 508-586-2010 and we’ll be happy to help. Our shop is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM by appointment.

Top Three Advantages of Buying OEM Parts

Chances are, you’ll need to replace a part on your vehicle after an accident in Stoughton, Brockton or Randolph. Deciding between OEM parts and aftermarket parts can be tough, especially with so many factors to take into consideration.

Collision 24 recommends OEM parts, and we explain why in our post below. But first, we’ll go over the definition of OEM parts.

Auto PartsWhat are OEM Parts?

OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer”. These parts come directly from the automaker that assembled your vehicle (or their equipment supplier) and are identical to the components you are replacing. OEM parts are brand new, last long and come with quality materials. Choosing one takes the guesswork out of replacing a piece on your car.

Aftermarket parts, comparatively, come from a third-party source and are designed to serve a similar function to the original piece. However, they could damage your vehicle if they don’t fit correctly or if they’re incompatible and might not be as reliable as some drivers would like.

Benefits of Choosing OEM Parts Over Aftermarket

Choosing original equipment manufacturer parts over aftermarket parts reaps several benefits and ensures your vehicle performs the way your automaker intended. Investing in an OEM part over an aftermarket part helps drivers in many ways and keeps your car, truck or SUV running at an optimal level.

Here are three reasons why you should always choose OEM parts when replacing something on your car.

1.      You’re Guaranteed Quality

An OEM part matches the component you’re replacing perfectly. That means it was designed, constructed and tested according to the manufacturer’s standard. Guaranteed to be compatible with factory specs and your vehicle, choosing OEM means choosing quality every time.

2.      OEM Parts Last Longer

OEM parts are designed to last long. Their quality materials, designs and construction ensure an optimal performance and will keep your vehicle performing at its best.

3.      Most OEM Parts Come With a Warranty

Many OEM parts are backed by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Each manufacturer warranty is different. Nevertheless, if you receive a faulty or defective part, your manufacturer will replace it quickly.

Replacing Parts at Collision 24 in Brockton

Aftermarket parts may be cheaper than OEM parts but, oftentimes, you get what you pay for. On the other hand, when you order an OEM part from your repair shop, you know exactly what you’re getting.

At Collision 24, we’ll fit your vehicle with an OEM part whenever it needs something replaced. Our team of technicians install each with care and attention to detail, so you can drive off in a car that performs like it’s new.

When you need something replaced on your car, please schedule an appointment with Collision 24. For immediate assistance, please call (508) 586-2010 to speak with a representative from Collision 24, proudly serving Brockton, Randolph, Stoughton and surrounding communities. We’re conveniently located at 97 Manley Street, Brockton, MA, 02301, and are open Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday by appointment from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.