A clear, calm checklist for the moments right after a collision.
The minutes after a crash are a blur, and that’s exactly when good decisions matter most. Follow these five steps to keep everyone safe, protect yourself, and make the repair that follows as smooth as possible.
Check yourself and your passengers first. If anyone is hurt, call 911. If the vehicles are drivable and in traffic, move them to the shoulder and turn on your hazards.
Even for a minor collision, a police report protects you. Call the non-emergency line if no one's injured, and let the officer document the scene.
Photograph every vehicle involved, the damage, the license plates, the road, and anything that explains how it happened. More photos are always better than fewer.
Trade names, phone numbers, insurance carriers, and policy numbers with the other driver. Get contact details for any witnesses while they're still around.
You can start a claim with your insurer, or call us and we'll help you figure out the next move. Either way, the choice of repair shop is yours.
When you’re ready, bring your vehicle to Al Serra Body Shop. We document the damage, work directly with your insurer, and get you back on the road.
Once the scene is handled, the repair is the easy part with the right shop.
If your car isn’t safe to drive, have it towed by a trusted local service. We don’t tow in house, but we’ll point you to one and take it from there.
Bring us the vehicle and your claim details, and a Body Shop Advisor documents the damage.
We work the claim with your insurer directly, on every carrier.
We keep you in the loop by text or a quick call until your keys are back in your hand.
It’s a good idea even for minor accidents. A report creates an official record that makes the insurance claim cleaner and protects you if the other driver’s story changes.
You can file with either, depending on who’s at fault, and it’s fine to call your own first. We can help you sort out which path makes sense for your situation.
We don’t tow in house, but we’ll point you to a trusted local tow and have your vehicle brought straight to us so the repair can start right away.
When the dust settles, bring us the car — wherever you are in Grand Blanc, Swartz Creek, or the rest of Genesee County.
