According to the Department of Transportation, there are roughly 5 million auto accidents in the United States each year. The odds of being in an accident that requires auto repairs are very high. Here's what you need to know when you need auto repairs after an accident.

1. Be Sure to Record the Damage

Before you take your vehicle for auto repairs, be sure that you take pictures of the damage. Take pictures of every area, regardless of how small the issue is. It's important that you immediately record the impairment to your vehicle.

Having a record of the damage will be helpful. It's important that you protect yourself because, sometimes, the insurance adjuster may dispute some of the damage. Having pictures on hand will help your claim.

2. Have the Vehicle Inspected for Safety Issues

Sometimes the damage is only “skin deep” and doesn't affect the safety of your vehicle. In other cases, the damage can affect the operation of the vehicle and can leave the vehicle unsafe to drive. It's vital that you have a safety inspection done before you search for a shop to manage the auto repairs.

3. Shop for Quotes

Many people aren't aware that they don't have to get auto repairs from a shop the insurance company chooses. You can choose any shop that you want to do the repairs. The insurance company will assess the damage and give you a check for what they believe it'll cost to fix the vehicle. The auto collision market is expected to grow at a rate of about 2.1% annually from 2021 through 2028, according to Grand View Research. That means there are a lot of shops out there that want your business and that will offer competitive quotes.

4. Get Everything in Writing

When you take your vehicle in for repairs, be sure that you get everything in writing that's going to be repaired. A good mechanic will break down everything for you to see. This will allow you to keep track of all your repairs.

An auto accident can cause a great deal of property damage and it can be a hassle to deal with repairs. On the upside of things, as long as no one is seriously injured and your car can be repaired, things will work out! If you're looking for car repairs you can trust, contact Les' Auto Repair today.