For many individuals, their car is an extension of their personality and it can be devastating when the car sustains significant damage in a California car accident. Although it might be tempting immediately to take your vehicle to your San Diego mechanic, there are a couple of things you should do to preserve evidence in the event that you decide to move forward with a personal injury claim. Immediately after the accident, you will likely collect the contact information for the other driver, communicate with your insurance agency, and hire a personal injury attorney, if necessary. A California car accident can change your life in big ways, and what you do with your vehicle depends on the damage sustained.

Bear in mind that your insurance company may recommend several shops of their choice for the repairs. You certainly have the right to go with other locations but you may need to negotiate the cost of doing so with your insurance company. Damage after an accident can range from a couple of dents and scratches to a total loss. It can be difficult to figure out what to do with your car. There are several different options depending on the extent of damage:

  • If you can still drive your car, it’s a good idea to bring it to your San Diego mechanic for inspection. Some of the damage associated with your vehicle may not be immediately visible.
  • If you cannot drive your car, you can have it towed directly to the shop. Make sure that you have confirmed the shop with your insurance agent in order to avoid any problems and take pictures of the damage first.
  • If the car is totaled, your insurance company may recommend options but the most common outcome is that it is taken to a salvage yard. In any case, you want to take pictures of the damage just in case as this could prove important in a personal injury case.