What to Do if You Have Been in an Accident

Report the Accident

Auto accidents can be downright frightening. When you’re overwhelmed, it can be difficult to know how to respond. These tips from our Mazda service technicians at Medlin Mazda can help if you are involved in an accident.

Take in Your Surroundings

The first thing you want to do after an accident is check your surroundings. Look at yourself first – are you hurt?

What about your passengers? If so, call 911. If not, proceed with checking your outside surroundings.

Are you in danger of causing another accident? Try to move your vehicle to the side of the road.

If you can’t, once traffic has cleared, get out of your vehicle and move to a safe location to wait for help.

Report the Accident

It’s not required to report every accident in North Carolina. However, it may be in your best interest to report an accident in case it is needed for your insurance company, or you discover later you have more damage (or injuries) than you realized. Legally, you must report an accident if it includes:

  • Bodily injury
  • Death
  • At least $1,000 in property damage

Exchange Information with the Other Driver(s)

It’s important to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident.

  • Name and contact info of the other driver(s)
  • Driver’s license number
  • Insurance company and policy number (keep in mind, this should be the information of the owner of the vehicle, which may not necessarily be the driver)
  • Make, model, and color of the other vehicle(s)
  • License plate number

Contact Your Insurance Agent

You also want to make sure you reach out to your insurance agent after an accident. It’s important to contact them as soon as possible so that the details of the accident are fresh in your mind.

Your agent will assign an adjuster to your case who will assess your damages and determine the cost of your necessary repairs.

Visit our Service Center for an Inspection and/or Repairs

After an accident, it’s so important to visit our Mazda service center to have your car inspected and repaired, if need be. Whether you need quality auto care or new genuine Mazda parts, we’ve got you covered. Reach out to our Mazda dealership in Wilson, NC to schedule an appointment. We want to ensure your vehicle is back in like-new condition in no time. And, in the meantime, stay safe out there!