Student RoadReady^SM

If you’re a student driver and you’ve just been in an accident, take a deep breath. First, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. If the vehicles can move and it’s safe, get out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Then call your parents as soon as possible. Exchange information with the other driver, take photos of the vehicles and the scene, and get a police report number if one is available. The most important thing is to stay calm and stay safe. At Hollywood Collision Center, we’re here to help students and parents through the next steps. Podemos hablar en español también.

After an accident, what you don’t do is just as important as what you do. Don’t admit fault, even by saying “I’m sorry.” Stick to the facts when speaking with the other driver or police. Don’t leave the scene, don’t accept cash offers to keep it off the books, and don’t sign anything from the other driver or their insurance company without talking to your parents first. Also, don’t post about the accident on social media. Photos and comments can hurt your insurance claim later. Cars can be fixed — what matters most is that you are safe. Podemos hablar en español también.

Your phone can be one of your best tools after an accident. If it’s safe, take photos before the vehicles are moved. Get close-up photos and wider photos of the damage to your vehicle and the other vehicle. Take pictures of both license plates, the other driver’s license, and their insurance card. Also take wide shots of the scene, street signs, traffic lights, skid marks, debris, weather conditions, and anything that helps show what happened. Photos are usually time-stamped automatically, so take more than you think you need. At Hollywood Collision Center, good photos can help make the repair and claim process much smoother. Podemos hablar en español también.

Parents, one of the best things you can do for a new driver is prepare them before an accident ever happens. Walk through the accident steps with your teen, review where the insurance card and registration are kept, and make sure they know to call you immediately after a crash. Teach them that safety comes first and the car comes second. Remind them never to admit fault, never to sign anything without you, and to document everything with photos. Hollywood Collision Center’s Student RoadReady Program was created to help students and parents stay calm, safe, and prepared. Students may also receive 10% off out-of-pocket repair costs with a valid student ID. Podemos hablar en español también.