A motor vehicle accident can damage your Tesla, damage your mental health and result in serious injuries. However, the steps you take in the aftermath of a wreck may play a key role in enabling you to minimize the scope and cost of fixing immediate and long-term damage.
Safety First
The first thing you want to do is stop and survey the scene. If possible, call for police, fire or other emergency services to ensure everyone at the scene gets the attention that they need quickly.
Document the Accident
Assuming you are physically able to do so, take pictures or video footage of the crash scene. You should also exchange insurance information with other drivers and get witness statements if applicable.
Don’t Drive a Damaged Vehicle
Even a minor wreck can cause damage to a Tesla’s battery, sensors or other key components. Ideally, you’ll have the vehicle towed to a Tesla approved body shop where it can be evaluated and repaired properly.
Report the Accident
Ideally, you’ll file a claim with your insurance company within 24 hours of the accident. It may be possible to submit photos or other evidence along with your claim through your insurance company’s smartphone app. Filing a prompt claim allows you to begin the process of repairing your vehicle in a timely manner and minimizes the interruption to your life.
Choose a Tesla-Certified Repair Shop
It’s critical that you take your vehicle to a Tesla collision center that has the tools and experience to repair Tesla brand cars. This is because the vehicle has special batteries, sensors and other key parts that must be replaced and calibrated in accordance with company standards.
Obtain a Detailed Timeline
A reputable Tesla repair shop should have no problem giving you an accurate and detailed repair timeline. It should take into account the time it takes to source parts as well as the time it will take to make the repairs. You’ll likely be offered a rental vehicle if the repairs will take several days or weeks to complete.
Protect Your Warranty and Resale Value
Taking your vehicle to a certified Tesla repair body shop means that repair work will be performed in a proper and timely manner. This should make it easier to have warranty and insurance claims honored as repairs were made by trained professionals. Furthermore, quality repairs can help to preserve the resale value of your vehicle because a future buyer knows that it remains safe and reliable to operate.
Drive Confidently
A properly repaired vehicle will operate just as well as it did prior to your accident. Therefore, you can drive with confidence knowing that you’ll get the same great handling, acceleration and braking on almost any road surface.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, your health should be your first concern. However, after seeking medical treatment, it’s imperative to file an insurance claim and have your car sent to a certified repair shop similar to the team at Ace Tech Auto. At that point, you can feel good that your vehicle will be taken care of and that you’ll get it back as good as new in a matter of days or weeks.