When dealing with a car accident, you have to act immediately. The damage caused to your vehicle will only worsen unless you get the proper attention to it. However, accidents can be expensive and you might not know how to pay for it. Here are five frugal tips to help you handle the aftermath of an accident.
Even if it’s a seemingly benign accident (a fender bender, rather than something more serious), you should still bring your car to a mechanic shop. There could be something affected that you might not realize until it’s too late. If it’s a fairly small problem, they should be able to fix it at a reasonable cost.
When you bring your car into a mechanic’s shop, they’ll give you an estimate of the costs. If theirs seems rather exorbitant, you should look elsewhere. See what kinds of estimates are being offered by other repair shops. You should also factor in things like their customer satisfaction ratings into your ultimate decision.
If you found a repair shop that you like, but it’s a bit out of your price range, there might still be hope. You can harness your power of bartering through discussing prices with the mechanic. One thing you can do is bring in the estimate from another repair shop. If you can show that another mechanic is willing to do the job for less, they’ll be willing to give a discount in order to not lose your business.
This isn’t something you should try (or be able to) if your car is completely totaled, but if you have the time and energy, you might give DIY car repairs a try. Assess the damage and see if you’d be able to fix it yourself. You want to make sure that you have the right tools and that you’re following the proper procedure at all times.
If you were not culpable in the accident, you should not be expected to pay for it. You should exchange insurance information with the other driver. You should also file an accident claim to ensure you’ll be properly compensated. Look for an attorney like Clearfield & Kofsky or a similar firm to help you make your case.
Hopefully this has given you a great idea of how to handle the aftermath of a car accident. It’s a stressful time, but with the right attitude and planning, you can make the best of it.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max