A car accident can be a scary and traumatizing experience, especially if they injured someone. But not all car accidents cause injuries. Now, even if you’re lucky enough to be in a car accident when there are no injuries (or casualties) a so-called no-injury car accident, it is highly likely that you will still have some expenses.

Minor car accidents, such as a fender bender can still cause pretty big property damage and when it comes to vehicle accidents, there’s no such thing as a “minor accident”. Mainly because some “minor” repairs can still cost you thousands of dollars. However, even if you didn’t sustain any injuries in the accident, that doesn’t mean that you’re not entitled to some form of compensation to cover your property damages.

If you ever get into a situation like this, the best course of action would be to contact our skilled auto accident attorneys at Schenk Podolsky to review your case and determine what type of compensation can you get. But let’s look at some of the basics.

What type of compensation is available in case of no-injury car accidents?

When it comes to vehicle accidents, they often include two elements: an injury claim, and a property damage claim. Each claim can move forward even if not both elements are present e.g. if there is only property damage claim. In these situations, there are several types of compensations that could be available for you to cover your property damage:

• Cost of vehicle repair – in the event that the damage can be repaired
• Fair market value of the car before the crash (in the event that the car was totaled)
• Cost of a rental vehicle if you need one while your car is repaired
• Replacements and upgrades you made to your car e.g. fancy rims, stereo etc.
• Costs of replacing personal property that was damaged in the vehicle such as your phone, computer, sunglasses etc.

How can you secure your compensation for a no-injury car accident?

In order to ensure that you get the compensation you’re owed, even in the event of a no-injury car accident, there are a few things you can do. Some of these steps need to be done immediately after the accident. If you’re not injured and your cell phone didn’t get damaged in the crash, you can take photos of the scene, and especially:

• All damages that occurred on the vehicle
• Skid marks
• Damaged property
• License plate numbers and
• Debris around your car

In addition to collecting your own evidence, you should also contact the police so they could create an accident report. Even if you think that the damages are minor, don’t forget that sometimes the real damage isn’t on the outside and clearly visible. With no-injury car accidents, the damages are often visible later and if you miss you window to submit a claim, you won’t be able to do so later. It can also occur underneath and can’t notice it right way. The police report will contain all the necessary and vita information about the accident, especially on who caused it. This is a valuable document that you will need in order to proceed with the insurance company.

Receipt and documents

During the next couple of days, even weeks, everyone who was in a car accident should keep records of his/her expenses and out-o-pocket losses. So make sure that you keep all your receipts. They will be useful in getting full compensation from the insurance company when you file your no-injury car accident claim