
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


Armando Diccion, 08/26/2025This review covers work performed by Muffler & Go (M&G) over the summer of 2025 on 3 different vehicles our household owns. The first car was my son's 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, which he purchased with a relatively new exhaust system already installed. The exhaust components themselves were great but the installation was awful. We brought the car to M&G to have the dual exhaust removed, pieces modified (cutting, bending, welding) and reinstalled by Kevin (their top custom exhaust specialist). The result was truly a work of art. The exhaust was routed through some tight areas in a way where nothing rubbed, rattled or was in the way as it had before. Because of the work done on my son's car, I decided to bring in my newly restored (after sitting 37 years) 1968 Chrysler New Yorker to have its dual exhaust system completely replaced. Again Kevin was given the job, this time to create a complete custom stainless steel exhaust system. Somehow Kevin was able to route the pipes to fit through some tight areas and tuck the pipes and mufflers very close to the bottom of the car in a way that honestly looks better than what the factory had done. I later found a slight rattling that only occurred under certain conditions and the owner, Chris Burke, told me to bring it in and he'd have it taken care of while I waited, which they did. Within two weeks of the installation, I then realized the mufflers that were chosen were just a bit too loud for me. Since I originally agreed with M&G to install these particular mufflers, I thought I was going to have to pay to exchange them for quieter ones. However Chris offered to exchange them for a quieter pair free of charge (for both the mufflers and the labor to exchange them). You just can't ask for better customer satisfaction efforts than this! I am now super happy with the sound and the quality of the installation. The third car we brought in was my son's daily driver, a 2014 Chevy Equinox with the Ecotec 2.4 inline 4 cylinder. Because we brought it in to M&G with a potentially damaging loose timing chain (a VERY common problem on this engine), Chris said it was an urgent issue and arranged to get in right away. Eventually the timing chain and associated components were replaced along with a new engine valve cover with integrated PCV, oil & filter and spark plugs. Got my son's car back on the road within two days and averted potential disaster from a broken timing chain. Later, we took the Equinox in again for a cooling system flush, brake system flush, two wheel alignment, replace all brake rotors & pads and replace parking brake shoe & lining w/ parking brake kit before my son drove back to college 500 miles away. We've decided to switch all of our car service needs over to Muffler & Go after seeing the quality of work that they do and Chris taking considerable time to show me around the shop, explain the way they find parts as inexpensively as possible and introduce me to their service specialists. The front desk and waiting area is immaculate and reflects Chris's need for neatness and order. The shop area is well organized and you can tell everything is well maintained. They also have the latest in diagnostic testing equipment so they're able to perform service on many things other shops may not be able to do. In terms of pricing (as the owner will also tell you) they aren't the cheapest or the most expensive. Based on what I have experienced over the years at this and other shops, I'd say their pricing is in line with what you'd expect from a shop that uses the right parts and does an exceptional job of installation & servicing. There's a great deal of automotive expertise in their employees and Chris himself told me he works hard to treat them well in order to keep them. I've long known Muffler & Go has a great reputation and I now know why. Their business name is Muffler & Go but it is obvious that they do much more than exhaust systems. I'm one of their newest customers and I can say I'm 5 star satisfied so far.