Each year, there are thousands of people who are involved in an automobile accident. Of those thousands, a handful of them happen right here in our very own backyard. The West Chester, PA area has a lot of major roads that are accident prone, especially during inclement weather or high traffic times, like rush hour. Route 202, Route 322 and Route 100 are all popular roadways in the West Chester area. Most locals know these roads well and try to adjust their driving speeds and take extra precaution during susceptible times. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen out of our control and an auto accident is inevitable.
The majority of accidents are not life threatening, but they can be a big headache if you don’t know what the proper steps are for reporting the accident and of course getting your vehicle repaired at an auto body shop.
Downloadable Accident Emergency Card
If you get into an accident it’s important to know the steps to take and people to contact to help you get the help you need. To help you with this, we have put together the important contact numbers for West Chester Emergency Services on to a downloadable card. Keep this card in your car just in case – you never know when an accident could happen!
Having all the information and contact numbers at your fingertips during an emergency can help reduce stress. Be sure to print the Accident Reference Card attached to this article to keep in your glove box along with your insurance information. If you find yourself in an auto accident in the West Chester area, you’ll be a step ahead with all the emergency contact numbers right your fingertips!
Accident Emergency Card
(click here to download a printable version)
Having all the information and contact numbers at your fingertips during an emergency can help reduce stress.
Be sure to print the Accident Reference Card attached to this article to keep in your glove box along with your insurance information. If you find yourself in an auto accident in the West Chester area, you’ll be a step ahead with all the emergency contact numbers right your fingertips!
10 Steps To Take When In An Accident In West Chester, PA
1. If someone is injured, call 911 immediately for help.
2. Stay calm and stay put.
If you can, keep your vehicle exactly as it is at the accident scene. If you are in the way of traffic, and it’s best to move our vehicle out of the way, be sure to take photos prior to moving the vehicles.
3. Call the local emergency departments (police, ambulance, fire, etc.) or call 911.
In most states it is required by law that before you can leave the scene of an accident, if anyone is injured, or there is any significant property damage, the local authorities must be notified. It’s a mistake to just exchange names and phone numbers with the other driver and leave the scene. Here are the four most important numbers you’ll need:
- PA State Police (484) 340-3241 997 Lieds Rd. Coatesville, PA 19382
- West Chester Police Department (610) 436-1420 401 E. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380
- West Chester Fire Company (610) 431-1580 70 S. Bradford Ave. West Chester, PA 19382
- Ambulance (610) 431-3132 600 Montgomery Ave. West Chester, PA 19380
4. Take Photos of the following:
- Any Damage (vehicles and/or property)
- Accident scene (road conditions/skid marks/debris in roadway/vehicle positions)
- Accident scene location identifiers (intersection/street signs/address/exit number)
- Identification (clear photos of drivers licenses, insurance cards, license plates, etc.)
5. Exchange information
- Full names of anyone who was involved in the collision, phone numbers, addresses and e-mail addresses of all occupants including the number of people in the other car(s)
- Full names, contact numbers, addresses and email addresses of ALL potential witnesses of the accident
- Location of the incident (address, intersection exit number if applicable- anything to help identify the location of the accident itself)
- All insurance information (Insurance company name, policy number and phone number
- If emergency services respond, you’ll want all the information for each unit responding (the name of the police department, officer’s name, badge number, phone number to the station, police report number, and same goes for the ambulance company, fire company, etc.) Do Not Discuss Fault
6. Do Not Discuss Fault
Whatever you do, do not discuss whose fault the accident was, even if the other party was clearly at fault. It may end up starting an argument, and emotions are high right after a traumatic experience. However, if the other driver admits fault, make sure to make a mental note of it.
When you have a moment, the sooner the better, document exactly what was said. Even if you feel you may have been partially at fault. “Fault” is often determined off facts and complicated laws, and it’s best to leave that for the police to decide- or an attorney when necessary.
7. Report the accident to your insurance company.
You’ll need most of the information listed above for your insurance company, so having it handy will make the process more smoothly.
8. Contact Grand Sport Auto Body
When you are ready to get repairs done, know that different insurance companies can recommend a particular shop, but you are in no way under legal obligation to use any particular shop. You have the legal right to choose the body shop of your choice.
We will work with ALL insurance companies and make sure it’s a smooth and seamless process. Also, some insurance companies will insist that a shop NOT use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, as they are most likely more expensive than after-market parts. You as a consumer have the right to know which kinds of parts are being used on the repair of your vehicle.
Sometimes your policy will let you choose which you’d prefer. An insurance company has the right to inspect your vehicle throughout the repair process, but it’s not a requirement. In addition, they cannot make it a requirement that you visit one of their own claim centers. Grand Sport Auto Body in West Chester, PA offers FREE estimates for repair right on the spot.
9. Remember
Make sure you remember this accident and learn from it somehow. It may save you from making a similar mistake a second time. Although you will remember what happened, it’s also important to let yourself move on from what happened. Accidents happen, it’s a fact. Don’t let it consume you.
10. Continue driving SAFELY!
The post The Car Accident Guide: West Chester, PA appeared first on Grand Sport Auto Body.
Source: http://www.grandsportautobody.com/blog/car-accident-west-chester-pa/
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