Vehicles crashing into businesses is not an uncommon occurrence. In 2019, there were nearly 17,000 reported incidents of vehicles crashing into buildings in the United States. At the same time, some of these accidents are caused by weather conditions or mechanical failures and result from driver error. If your business is one of the unlucky ones that has had a vehicle crash into it, here are some things you should do and how to contact a property damage lawyer.
Call the police and file a report
If a vehicle drives through your business, you should call the police and file a report. This will help to ensure that the driver is held accountable for the damage they have caused. It is also essential to take pictures of the damage and get any witnesses’ contact information.
The police will use this information to investigate the incident and determine whether or not charges should be filed. In some cases, insurance companies may also require a police report to process a claim. Filing a report is essential in protecting your business and ensuring that justice is served.
Hire an Attorney
If a vehicle drives through your business, it is important to take critical steps to protect your interests. First, do not give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company without consulting an attorney first. This is because anything you say could be used against you in the future. Second, hire an experienced attorney to help you navigate the legal process and protect your interests.
An attorney will be able to give you the best advice on how to proceed. Follow your attorney’s advice regarding settlement offers or communications from the other driver’s insurance company. By taking these steps, you will be in the best position to protect your interests in the event of a vehicle driving through your business.
Locate the damages
When a vehicle drives through your business, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that your property is protected. First, assess the damage and make sure that any temporary repairs are made to prevent further damage. Then, contact your insurance company to file a claim. Finally, work with a professional to repair the damage and get your business back up and running as soon as possible. Taking these steps will help you minimize the disruption to your business and get back to serving your customers as quickly as possible.
Contact your insurance company
If a vehicle drives through your business, you should first contact your insurance company and notify them of the accident. They will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine how much coverage you will need. You will also need to take pictures of the damage and get estimates from repair shops.
Once you have this information, you can file a claim with your insurance company. If the damage is covered, they will issue a check to cover the cost of repairs. If the damage is not covered, you will be responsible for paying for repairs out of pocket. Either way, it is important to document everything to get your business back up and running as soon as possible.
Take videos and pictures
If you’re involved in an accident, there are a few things you should do to document the situation. First, take pictures or video of the damage, as well as the license plate of any vehicles involved. This will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim or police report. Secondly, keep all receipts for any repairs made or expenses incurred as a result of the accident. This will help to ensure that you are reimbursed for all damages. By taking these simple steps, you can help protect yourself financially in an accident.
Collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident
Any business owner knows that accidents can happen anytime, no matter how much you prepare. If a vehicle drives through your business, it’s important to collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident. This will help you file an insurance claim or take legal action against the driver.
Witnesses can provide valuable testimony as to what happened, and they may have seen things that you didn’t. So don’t hesitate to get their contact information as soon as possible. It could make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Final Thoughts
No one ever wants their business to be involved in an accident, but unfortunately, accidents happen. If a car or other vehicle drives through your place of business, it’s important to know what steps you should take to protect yourself, your employees, customers, and your business! Following these steps will help ensure that you handle the situation with a property damage lawyer in the best way possible under some circumstances.