(NAPSA)—If you are involved in one of the 7 million traffic crashes reported annually, you know that getting in a car accident can be extremely stressful and make you feel helpless. You numbly check that everyone on board is okay, your mindracing as you try to sort out what will get you safely back on the road. While you can’t eliminate the stress and inconvenience of a car accident, you can reduceit by following these three tips learned from leading insurance organizations: Take immediate action, report the accident and have your vehicle properly repaired by a qualified shop that will perform a complete, safe and quality repair. About 65 percent of vehicles involved in traffic crashes will require repairs. Take immediate action *Calmly assess the situation. Is anyone injured? Is there broken glass, fire, smoke or other potential hazards? *Call 911 to report injuries and the accident. eIf no one is injured and your vehicle is drivable, move your car to a safe place and turn on your hazard lights. Otherwise, leave your car whereitis. Report the accident eTf other drivers are involved, exchange insurance and other information, including contact information, vehicle make and model, license plate number and witness information. *Get a copy of the police report, which may be required to file a claim. *Call the number on your insurance card to report the accident and file a claim with your When you’re in an accident, confidently find a collision repair shop whose technicians are trained to perform complete, safe and quality repairs. Go to www.GoldClass.com/locator to find a Gold Class shop. cians who have the knowledge to properly fix your vehicle; one that’s more dependable than broad online searches or referrals from friends and family—since not all shops are trained in today’s latest repair methods and vehicle technologies. Gold Class’ shopsare designated by I-CAR’, an independent not-forprofit organization focused on improving the quality and safety of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of the consumer. Gold Class shops employ trained specialists who have undergone rigorous annualtraining. Whether you’re at homeor outof town, you can find a Gold Class shop at www.GoldClass.com/locator. All you need is the local zip code. At the repair shop, service personnel should tell you: *How their technicians make the right decisions for a safe repair *How they find hidden damages that others might not see *How they decide which parts to repair and which to replace. insurance company. Be sureto get If you also need a rental vehiyour claim number. cle, choosing a Gold Class shop Have your vehicle may get you back into your vehicle properly repaired sooner and reduce the time you eIf your vehicle needs a repair need your rental car. An Enterto makeit drivable, do your home- prise Rent-A-Carreport found that work to identify a collision repair customers using the country’s top shop near the accident—whether 500 Gold Class facilities needed 31 percent less rental car time than that’s home or elsewhere. eIf the vehicle is not drivable the national industry average— and you are far away from home, and that can save you money. you shouldn’t expect insurance to It’s important to remember the pay for towing or shipping it to three key tips if you are involved your house. in a car accident: Take immediate Whenit comes to investing the action, report the accident and do time to find a qualified repair your homeworkto get your vehicle facility, people do more research to repaired by a qualified shop that buy a TV. Fortunately, there is a will perform a complete, safe and way to find a collision repair shop quality repair. Visit www.Gold with updated training and techni- Class.com/locator. Soe. Note to Editors: To learn more, go to www.GoldClass.com.
