Repairing a car after a car accident can take anywhere from a few days to several months, based on the extent of the damages. Hundreds of automobile owners have been helped by auto accident attorneys at The Keating Law Firm to get their cars repaired correctly and as fast as possible, as well as to get complete reimbursements from their insurance company to cover the costs of those repairs. After a car accident, an auto owner has to deal with a number of concerns, including the length of time it takes to repair the motor vehicle.
The Quicker You Report the Accident, the Quicker the Car Repairs Begin
After a car accident, one must contact their insurance company as quickly as possible. An individual's insurance company then analyzes the damage to the motor vehicle and assigns a claims adjuster to figure out the amount of compensation one is eligible for. If your car was damaged mechanically, the adjuster may need a few days to finish his or her investigation since the vehicle may need to be disassembled to establish the entire amount of the damage.
The Repair Estimate
Within a few days of the auto accident, one's insurance company's claims adjuster should offer them a repair estimate. It is essential to remember that an estimate is just that, and the final cost might be much more – or much lower.
What About Tort Claim States?
When an individual is dealing with a car accident in a tort state, the party that caused the crash, as well as the at-fault party's insurance company, is liable for injuries and damages and injuries. Nevertheless, a driver must contact his or her own insurance provider as soon as possible to perform an accident investigation while the evidence is still new. It would be incredibly helpful if another party was able to witness the car accident. The driver's own insurance may pay the cost of repairs, and the motorist may then go after the other driver's or insurer for reimbursement.
Make Sure to Schedule an Appointment with an Authorized Auto Repair Shop for the Car Repairs
The insurance carrier may be able to offer the person a list of recommended or approved repair companies. Furthermore, the professionals at that facility are able to give the car owner a repair estimate of how long it is going to take to complete the car repairs. They may require additional time to obtain replacement parts, especially if the vehicle is older or was built outside of the United States.
Understanding the Differences Between Generic and Brand Name Car Parts
A car insurance company may mandate that the car be repaired with original, generic equipment manufacturer (OEM), or recycled parts. If one asks for brand-name repair parts, the insurance company is almost certainly going to compel the client to pay the difference in price between a brand-name component and the parts they recommend or authorize. It might also take the auto repair shop longer to obtain original parts. Examine the insurance policy for details on the type of parts that can be used to fix the motor vehicle, or, if the policy is unclear, consult with one of our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys, who can analyze and explain the insurance claims and repair process to you.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Rule?
Keep in mind that not all automobiles are made in the same manner. Some cars are going to take longer to repair than others, and this is particularly true for:
Exotic cars
Foreign motor vehicles
Limited edition vehicles
Sports cars
New cars
Classic motor vehicles
It may take an auto body shop much longer to get the necessary parts to repair these types of vehicles. Furthermore, you can expect a higher repair estimate when it comes to these types of cars.
Repairs Often Take Long: Be Realistic About This
If someone's windshield was damaged in a car accident, they were extremely fortunate if no one was injured. A broken windshield may normally be replaced in one to two days. Minor auto body work and bumper damage, such as a number of dings and dents, are the same. If the vehicle, on the other hand, has substantial body damage, one may have to wait months before driving it again.
When an automobile is substantially damaged, it's difficult to know how much work is going to be required until it's taken down and evaluated. An individual may wish to gather estimates from numerous auto body shops and submit them to the claims adjuster in this situation.
The auto collision repair industry strikes a balance between price, quality, and turnaround time. If one needs repairs done immediately, for instance, they are either going to be more expensive or of lower quality. Quality repairs that keep the car's worth take a certain amount of time to complete. Allow enough time for the repair shop to do the work. If the body shop, on the other hand, keeps extending the time it needs and delaying the automobile's return to you, you need to contact Columbus car accident attorneys or the insurance who can deal with the repair shop on your behalf.
One might have to consider a rental car while they are having their car repaired after an accident. It might not be the ideal situation, but people may need to rent a car to travel to work and pick up the children from school. After a car accident, many insurers cover the cost of a rental automobile; however, check the insurance coverage terms to be sure.
Are There Any Other Delay Factors to Take Into Consideration?
The mechanic is one of the most common delaying issues when it comes to timely car repair. If he or she leaves for a holiday, becomes ill, or otherwise is unable to work on the automobile as expected, the vehicle owner may have to wait longer for repairs or contemplate taking the car to another shop. It's also not uncommon for the mechanic to find out that the car is in worse condition than first thought, necessitating extra repairs.
If this is the case, the repair expenses may exceed the car's worth, forcing the insurer to deem the car a total loss. As a result, the automobile owner(who can either be the driver itself or the owner if it was a company car accident) and the insurance provider may be unable to come to an agreement on the vehicle's worth. Thus, people may require legal assistance in such cases.
The insurance company may not always reimburse the mechanic straight away. In such cases, it's understandable that the repair business is going to keep the car until payment is received.
Keep in touch with your insurance company and the repair business on a frequent basis for the best results and less unpleasant surprises.
Knowing the Difference Between Repairable Cars and Totaled Cars
Cars that have sustained considerable damage normally have a decreased trade-in or resale value, even after they have been restored. If the physical damages to the motor vehicle are more than the automobile's current value at the time of the crash, one may be in a stronger position if their car insurance company agrees that the vehicle is a total loss. Alternatively, one may wish to repair and keep the car even if the insurance provider prefers to write it off as a total loss. In any event, the amount of reimbursement one is entitled to be going to be a point of contention between the vehicle owner and the insurance firm. In these situations, an expert automobile accident lawyer is one's best ally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Insurance Adjusters?
A specialist that examines insurance claims and calculates how much the insurance company is going to pay is known as an insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters, also referred to as claims adjusters, conduct a thorough investigation that may include reviewing police reports, speaking with witnesses, and inspecting the damage directly.
How Long After an Accident Can You File a Claim?
The amount of time that one has after a car accident to file a claim differs by state. In certain states, people have one year; in others, people might have more than two years. Furthermore, the time limit varies based on whether the claim is for property damage or bodily injury.
Contact The Keating Firm Today if You Need to Get Your Car Fixed in a Body Shop After an Accident
The car accident attorneys in Columbus Ohio at The Keating Firm have negotiated with auto body shops and insurance companies on account of thousands of car owners who want their vehicles repaired as soon as possible. Our team of car accident lawyers also represents car crash victims in obtaining the maximum damages awards possible when they have been injured and have sustained medical expenses as a result of an auto accident. If you would like more information on how long it is going to take to repair a car after an accident in the US, contact us or visit our website. Additionally, if you have lost your job due to a car accident, you can also call us at any time to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers.