Steve's Car & Truck Services
What to Do After a Car Accident
How to Appropriately Respond to a Car Accident
To ensure the safety of yourself and others. If you are involved in an accident, it is important to stay calm and assess the situation. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there are no obvious injuries, it is important to seek medical attention to be checked out for any hidden injuries.
Ensure Safety First:
The immediate priority after an accident is safety. If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location, turn on hazard lights, and check for injuries among yourself, passengers, and others involved. Call 911 for medical assistance if necessary.
Notify Law Enforcement:
Contact law enforcement as soon as possible. It's crucial to report the accident to the police as they will create an official accident report, which can be valuable for insurance claims and legal purposes later on.
Exchange Information:
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident. Gather names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. It would be ideal to be polite and cooperative during this process. Also, make sure to get information from any witnesses as well.
Document the Accident:
Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and traffic signs. This visual evidence can be essential for insurance claims. Write down details such as where the accident took place, what the weather was like, etc.
Seek Medical Attention:
Even if you don't feel injured immediately, it's advisable to seek medical attention. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, and a medical evaluation can help in documenting any injuries related to the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary details, including the other driver's information and the accident report number.
Avoid Placing Fault:
While it's essential to cooperate with the authorities and share information, avoid admitting fault or making accusations towards anyone involved. Fault determination is often handled by the insurance companies and legal processes.
Contact an Attorney:
If the accident involves significant injuries or complex liability issues, consider consulting an attorney experienced in personal injury cases. They can provide guidance on your legal rights and potential claims.
Keep Records:
Maintain detailed records of all accident-related expenses, such as medical bills, repair costs, and any missed workdays due to injuries. This documentation will be crucial for insurance claims and potential lawsuits.
Follow Up with Insurance:
Stay in communication with your insurance company throughout the claims process. Cooperate with their investigations, provide requested documents promptly, and keep track of claim progress.
Additional Notes:
When you're using a body shop to get repairs to your vehicle, be aware that the insurance company can recommend a shop, but you are under no legal obligation to use its services. You have the legal right to choose the shop to do your repairs.
Also be aware that insurance companies sometimes try to dictate what type of parts are used in a vehicle's repair. They might insist that a shop not use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, as they are more expensive.
OUR REVIEWS
Tires, near Lake Mills, WIBarbro Andren , 05/29/2025I was in Lake Mills this morning running an errand. I live in Cambridge (which by the way it’s not on your drop-down list. It’s only about 10 miles away so definitely worth the drive.) Anyway I was driving through town and my tire light went on. I pulled into a gas station and their tire gauge was broken, but the guy there said to me “See that building over there?” I said yes, and he said “Go over there. They’ll help you. He’s a really nice guy.” So I drove over to the back of the building, (Steve’s) and I ran into a really nice guy (Steve) working on a car at the back of the shop. I asked if he could help me, and he said sure, just go have a seat upfront, and indicated he’d take a look at it as soon as he could. They were crazy busy. I’ll be here for awhile, I thought. I went up front and explain my dilemma to Cassy in the front office. I was planning to leave at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning to drive to St. Louis, but when Steve, within minutes, showed me the size of the hole in my tire. I knew that was not going to happen. I have a Volkswagen Tiguan, four-wheel-drive, and tires are not easily found. But Cassie was on it and located some that could be delivered and put on the next morning. Meanwhile, Steve put my spare limper tire on, and all the while I was talking back-and-forth with a service guy at my car dealer in Madison. I learned my tires were under warranty and that my roadside assistance would take care of it (whew) but only if the work was done by them in Madison. I asked Cassy what I owed them, and was tempted to pay them double just to make myself feel better. It was beyond reasonable. I thanked Steve and Cassie profusely and actually felt bad that a warranty thing couldn’t be covered there. (But not sorry to save big bucks.) Meanwhile, another customer had been telling me how she’s been going there for 37 years, and that she couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. No kidding. If your car needs literally anything done to it, run don’t walk, to Steve’s. It’s one of those places that’s just like America used to be. Although all they did was change my tire, they absolutely made my day, and kind of restored my faith in humanity a little bit. Yay, Steve’s! Thank you!
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