How to Get Your Car Fixed Fast After a Provo, Utah Car Accident

Car accidents are stressful, especially when you’re dealing with injuries, lost wages, and a damaged vehicle. If you’ve been in a car accident in Provo, Utah, getting your car fixed quickly can feel like a frustrating uphill battle. This guide will help you navigate the steps to repair your vehicle and secure a rental car, so you can focus on recovery.

1. Treat Your Injuries First: The Car Can Wait

After a car accident, your top priority is your health. Seek appropriate medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, injuries like whiplash or internal damage may appear later. Let professionals assess your condition before you start worrying about your car.

Pro Tip: Check out this Quick Guide on What to Do Right After a Utah Car Accident for more steps.

2. Contact All Relevant Insurance Companies

Once you’re stable, start the process of contacting insurance companies. If you’ve hired a Utah car accident attorney, they will often handle the property damage claim or guide you on the process.

Who to Contact After a Utah Car Accident:

  1. Driver Information Exchange/Report
    • Police officers often provide a Driver Information Exchange, listing all drivers and insurance companies involved.
    • A full police report may take 7-14 days, so use the exchange form for initial contact.
    • Visit the Utah Highway Patrol Online Report Portal for official documents.
  2. Your Own Insurance Company
    • Notify your insurance company immediately. Failure to do so could jeopardize your coverage.
  3. The At-Fault Insurance Company
    • If another driver caused the accident, contact their insurance company (at-fault carrier).
  4. Multiple Insurance Companies
    • In multi-car accidents, several insurers may be involved. Your attorney can assist in streamlining communication.

3. Decide Which Insurance Company Will Fix Your Car

After the accident, you need to choose whether to go through:

  • Your Own Insurance Company
  • The At-Fault Insurance Carrier

Using the At-Fault Insurance Carrier

If you choose to have the at-fault party’s insurance pay:

  • Request a rental car.
  • Coordinate with the adjuster to appraise your car for repairs or determine if it’s totaled.

Challenges:

  • Liability disputes can delay repairs.
  • The adjuster may need time to gather the police report, interview witnesses, and make a fault determination.
  • The at-fault insurance company has no duty to give you a rental car.  But they often do.

Using Your Own Insurance Company

If you go through your own insurance:

  • You’ll need collision coverage for repairs and rental/towing coverage for related expenses.
  • Pay your deductible upfront, which can later be reimbursed through subrogation (insurance recovery).

Will Your Rates Go Up?
Using your own insurance may cause rates to increase, even if you weren’t at fault.  It seems like anytime you use your insurance, your rate will go up.

4. Coordinate Repairs, Towing, and Car Valuation

Once you decide on an insurance provider, you must:

  1. Arrange for Towing:
    • Tow your vehicle to a repair shop or yard.
  2. Contact the Adjuster:
    • Inform the adjuster to send an appraiser for valuation or approve repair costs.
  3. Decide on Repairs:
    • If the car is fixable, send it to a trusted collision repair shop.
    • If totaled, negotiate a fair settlement check.

5. Pay for Repairs or Accept a Settlement Check

The final step involves ensuring the repair shop is paid or accepting a total loss settlement.

Repair Payment:

  • Use the settlement check to pay the repair shop directly.

If Your Car is Totaled:

  • You’ll receive a settlement check based on the vehicle’s fair market value.
  • Move the car out of the yard promptly to avoid storage fees.

Important Reminder: Tow yards can charge significant daily fees, so act quickly.

Why Work with a Utah Car Accident Attorney?

Many large personal injury law firms overlook property damage claims. Attorney Jake Gunter stands apart by helping clients navigate the car repair process without taking fees for property damage settlements.

How Jake Gunter Helps:

  • Monitors the property damage process.
  • Assists with rental cars and ensures reasonable settlements.
  • Focuses on personal injury settlements while guiding you on property claims.

Need Help After a Provo, Utah Car Accident?

Call or text Jake Gunter at (801) 373-6345 to get assistance with property damage, rental cars, and personal injury claims.