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Dealing With Your Teen's First Auto Accident: What To Know

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Your teen has called you because they have gotten in their first auto accident, and they are waiting for the police to arrive at the scene. What should you do? There are a few things that you'll want the teen to do right away for insurance purposes and for their own safety. Stay calm so you don't get your teen more stressed out than they probably are. Here are a few things to address right away.

Ask if They Need Medical Attention

Ask your teen if they feel numb, dizzy or nauseous. If so, tell them to call for immediate medical attention right away. If your teen feels that anything could be broken or if they were hit in the stomach or chest, they need to get medical care. Once you have determined if they need an ambulance, and if they don't, you can move forward with helping them deal with the accident. If they need an ambulance, you'll want to call the police station and a tow truck. 

Take Pictures

Have the teen take as many pictures as they can of their car, the other driver's car, and the license plate of the other vehicle. You want to make sure that claims are filed properly and that both drivers' information is correct when being submitted for reimbursement. If the teen has a phone, tell them to get as many pictures as possible. The other driver may try to move their vehicle or claim other damages later on, so it's important to have your own pictures.

Call a Tow Truck

Is your teen unsure if the vehicle can be driven or not? You don't want them to get down the road and find out it won't turn, accelerate or brake. Instead, call a tow truck and have them take the vehicle to the nearest auto shop or your home so it can be evaluated. You don't want your teen driving if they are stressed out, scared, or if they could potentially be injured. Also, you don't want to do more damage to the car if you don't know what's wrong with it.

If your teen is waiting and doesn't want to ride with the car to the shop, try to pick them up as soon as possible, or have them see if they can get a ride so they aren't lingering around the side of the road. Your teen is going to follow your lead when they call you, so make sure you are calm and clear while dealing with the problem, and you can deal with consequences or other problems later on. To learn more, contact a business like Stuckman Salvage, Inc.


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