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What to Do After a Fender Bender in NJ
Complete Guide to Handling Minor Car Accidents in New Jersey
A fender bender can rattle your nerves, but having a clear plan can make all the difference. In New Jersey, handling a minor car accident means putting safety first, checking on everyone involved, and taking a few smart steps to protect yourself. That includes calling the police, exchanging details with the other driver, and capturing photos and videos of the scene.
Stay Calm and Protect Yourself with a Clear Plan
Even if you feel fine, make sure to get a quick medical check, as that can uncover injuries you might not notice right away. After that, notifying your insurance provider, understanding your car repair options, and knowing your rights under New Jersey state laws will help you move forward with the process and restore your car to its pre-accident condition.
Mizzoni’s Auto Body has built a strong reputation as a collision repair center in Lodi, New Jersey, with ASE and I-CAR® Gold-trained technicians. We specialize in handling fender bender cases that require minor repairs, while thoroughly checking for hidden damage. Our team also has in-depth expertise in working with all major insurance providers, helping customers navigate the claims process and making it as stress-free as possible. In this blog, we will discuss the steps to take after a fender bender in New Jersey to protect yourself, both physically and from a legal perspective.
Immediate Steps to Take at the Scene
It may sound difficult when you’ve just met with an accident, but staying calm and composed can prove extremely helpful after any car accident. Knowing what to do at the scene is an important part of filing a claim and can help speed things along. In New Jersey, you are legally required to remain at the scene of any accident, including fender benders.
Ensure Everyone’s Safety
Your safety, along with that of your passengers and everyone involved in the accident, comes first. Try to move your vehicle to a safe location out of traffic, such as the road shoulder, if possible. If you can’t move your car out of the way, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers on the road.
What is a Fender Bender?
A minor car accident, often called a “fender bender,” typically involves minimal property damage and no serious injuries. Despite the name, a fender bender may involve parts of the car other than the fender itself. Common examples of fender benders include:
- Low-speed rear-end collisions
- Scrapes or dents in parking lots
- Side-swiping other vehicles at slow speeds
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and your passengers for potential injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if you notice minor injuries, call for medical assistance, as the symptoms of many road accident injuries can appear later.
Call the Police
In New Jersey, you must report an accident within 10 days if there is injury, death, or property damage over $500. Irrespective of the damage, you should always call the police for any accident. When police officers arrive, they will create a formal accident report. Make sure you obtain the officer’s name, badge number, and a copy of the police report. This document can be extremely valuable in supporting your insurance claim or a legal case.
Been in a Fender Bender? Have Your Car Checked and Repaired Fast
Car accidents, even minor ones, can be quite overwhelming. At Mizzoni’s Auto Body, we make the collision repair process as stress-free as possible for our customers, whether it’s minor dents and paint touchups or major frame repairs. We’ll also help you navigate the insurance claims process smoothly without any hiccups.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Always make sure you exchange information with the other driver involved in the fender bender. This vital information includes:
- Name, address, and phone numbers of both drivers involved in the accident
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance information (company and policy numbers)
- Car make, model, and license plate numbers
- Employer details if it’s a commercial vehicle
Avoid Admitting Fault
Never make statements such as “I’m sorry” or “It was my fault.” Stick to the facts when speaking to the police or the other driver, as these statements could impact fault determination and may be used against you
Document the Scene
If it is safe to do so and you’re physically capable, use your phone to document the scene and all relevant details. Make sure you capture photos or video of:
- Damage to all vehicles involved in the accident
- Visible damage to the vehicles or other properties
- Road conditions, debris, or skid marks
- Traffic signs or signals nearby
- Visible injuries
If you have dashcam footage, back it up immediately. You can present these images and videos as vital evidence later, in case there are disputes about what happened.
Take Information from Witnesses
If there are witnesses, make sure you collect their names and phone numbers. Their testimony may prove useful in determining liability in case there are any disputes later about what happened.
Stranded After a Fender Bender? Get Quick Roadside Help
Apart from our expert fender bender repair services, we also provide 24-hour towing for our customers. If your car is stuck after a low-speed collision, has a shattered windshield or window glass, and is unsafe to drive, our tow specialists are just a phone call away.
Dealing with Insurance and Car Repairs After a Minor Car Accident
Even for a minor accident, you must call your insurance provider to stay compliant with the insurance contract. Make sure you provide accurate and honest details to your insurer, as any inconsistencies can cause unnecessary delays or denial of your insurance claim.
Seek Repairs Through the Right Insurance Company
You’re contractually obligated to contact your insurance provider so they can start their investigation into the accident and the damage. However, even your own insurer aims to minimize payouts and increase your premiums.
An early claim with your insurer could lead to paying the deductible upfront and increase your premiums. Filing directly with the at-fault party’s insurer might avoid out-of-pocket costs, but you must still notify your own provider to stay compliant.
Choose an Authorized Auto Body Repair Shop
You can get an estimate for your vehicle’s repairs from an authorized repair shop. Your insurer may suggest one from their list of preferred providers, but you are free to choose any auto body shop of your preference.
At Mizzoni’s Auto Body, we have built strong relationships with the major insurance companies in and around Lodi, NJ to handle damage assessment, repair estimates, and negotiating with your insurance provider to ensure your vehicle is restored to factory condition.
Pay Your Deductible
You’ll need to pay your deductible directly to the repair shop when your car is repaired and ready to be taken home. If the other driver was at fault, your insurer may recover this cost from their insurance company and reimburse you.
Also, check if your policy covers a rental while your vehicle is being repaired. At Mizzoni’s Auto Body, we partner with Enterprise car rental services on-site if you need it while our team restores your car to its pre-accident glory.
Consider Hidden Internal Damages
Even if there’s no apparent damages, minor collisions can still damage your car’s alignment or its onboard diagnostic systems. Modern cars’ bumpers often absorb shock, but unseen misalignment or internal issues with the ABS, electronic stability control, or airbag systems, may only emerge later.
The certified technicians at Mizzoni’s Auto Body inspect your vehicle thoroughly to make sure all visible and hidden damages are accounted for in a comprehensive free quote, so there are no surprises later.
Get Medical Attention, Even if You Feel Okay
Potential injuries from a minor accident can include whiplash, fractures, lacerations, concussions, brain injuries, and internal traumas. The symptoms of these injuries may not appear immediately, and can show up hours or even days after a crash.
So, make sure you and anyone else involved in the accident gets a prompt medical exam. This step protects your health and also creates a medical record linking your injuries to the collision, supporting both insurance and legal claims. It’ll be especially useful if you pursue compensation under New Jersey’s personal injury laws.
Mizzoni’s Legal Insights on Fender Benders
Fender Bender Derailed Your Day? Let Us Get You Back on Track
At Mizzoni’s Auto Body, we offer expert collision repairs for fender benders, from glass repairs and paint touch-ups to framework repairs. We provide free estimates, clear communication, on-time delivery, and a lifetime warranty on all our works. Our team of experts is also there to guide you through the insurance claims process, so you feel a little less overwhelmed while dealing with this stressful situation.