It’s the kind of accident that doesn’t seem possible. Still, it happens more often than you might think. Brakes suddenly fail. Heavy rain causes a skid. Whatever the reason, a car ran into your house.
Everyone is OK, but what do you do next? How do you deal with a car crash that damages your Chicago home? These 10 steps outline your best course of action for handling this type of property disaster.
What to Do When a Car Hits Your Home: 10 Essential Steps
The first few minutes after any accident are critical. You need to make the right decisions quickly. When a car crashes into your home, it’s hard to think straight.
Start by making sure everyone is safe, including those in the house and the driver outside. Immediately follow up with these 10 steps to address the collision and the damage to your home.
1. Report the Accident
Contact authorities right away, and explain that a car damaged your property. Stay calm. Be ready to answer questions, provide contact information and wait at the scene if necessary.
2. Exchange Information
Exchange as much information as possible with the driver, including details about insurance carriers and coverage. Be sure to get the vehicle model and license plate number.
3. Request Report Copies
Ask responding personnel for copies of the accident report. If they can’t provide one while on the scene, find out how you can obtain a copy for your records.