After a car accident, getting your vehicle repaired may be one of the first things on your to-do list. You may need the car for work, appointments, school drop-offs, or everyday errands. But if you were injured and may pursue a claim, repairing the vehicle too quickly could potentially eliminate useful evidence.
So, should you repair your car before an insurance claim is resolved or before speaking with an attorney? You generally do not have to leave a damaged vehicle sitting indefinitely. However, thoroughly documenting the damage before repairs begin can help preserve information that may be relevant to your claim.
Why Vehicle Damage Can Be Important Evidence
The condition of the vehicles after a collision can provide information about how the accident occurred. Depending on the circumstances, vehicle damage evidence may help show the location and severity of an impact, the direction of the collision, and which parts of the vehicles were affected.
This evidence may be especially important when the drivers disagree about what happened or an insurance company disputes liability.
In more serious cases, an attorney may want an accident reconstruction professional or another expert to inspect the vehicle before it is repaired, sold, salvaged, or otherwise altered.
Once repairs are completed or a vehicle is disposed of, some of that physical evidence may no longer be available.
Document the Damage Before Repairs Begin
If your vehicle needs to be repaired, good accident documentation can help preserve a record of its post-crash condition.
Before repairs begin, consider:
- Taking clear photos and videos of the vehicle from multiple angles
- Photographing close-ups of damaged areas
- Photographing the interior if airbags deployed or there is other visible damage
- Saving repair estimates, invoices, and receipts
- Keeping towing and storage records
- Saving communications with insurance companies and repair facilities
- Keeping copies of the police crash report and any photos taken at the accident scene
Do not rely solely on photographs taken by the insurance adjuster or repair shop. Keeping your own copies gives you a record that you can provide to your attorney if necessary.
What About Your Property Damage Claim?
A property damage claim is generally separate from a personal injury claim. Property damage may include the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and, depending on the circumstances, other accident-related losses involving your vehicle.
Because these claims can move at different speeds, you may be able to proceed with vehicle repairs while an injury claim remains unresolved.
However, you should be cautious about signing releases or other settlement documents without understanding what claims they resolve. If you are unsure whether paperwork affects only property damage or also your injury claim, consider having a lawyer review it before signing.
When Should You Talk to a Florida Car Accident Lawyer?
Consider speaking with a Florida car accident lawyer before major repairs, salvage, or disposal of the vehicle if you were injured, fault is disputed, the crash was severe, or you believe the vehicle itself could provide important evidence.
An attorney can evaluate whether additional photographs, inspections, expert analysis, or other steps should be taken before the vehicle’s condition changes.
This does not necessarily mean delaying repairs for a long period. The goal is to preserve potentially valuable evidence before it disappears.
Protect the Evidence Before It Is Gone
You may need your car repaired quickly after an accident, and preserving evidence does not necessarily mean leaving it damaged. The key is making sure the condition of the vehicle is adequately documented first.
If you were injured in a Florida car accident, consider speaking with an attorney before the vehicle is repaired, sold, salvaged, or destroyed. A Florida car accident lawyer can help determine what evidence should be preserved and advise you about your property damage and personal injury claims.
Before disposing of potentially valuable evidence, speak with an attorney about the steps you should take to protect your claim.
If you have been involved in a personal injury incident, seeking legal advice is essential to protect your rights. Our legal team has more than 40 years of experience seeking justice for accident victims. Our attorneys have sought and won millions of dollars for our injured clients.
Call 850-601-1111 to schedule a complimentary consultation with no obligations. This consultation will help you explore your legal options. Let us help you fight for fair compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I repair my car before my insurance claim is finished?
You may be able to repair your vehicle before the entire insurance claim is resolved. However, document the damage thoroughly and check whether the insurer or your attorney needs to inspect the vehicle before repairs begin.
What vehicle damage evidence should I save after a Florida accident?
Save photos and videos of the vehicle, repair estimates, invoices, towing and storage records, insurance communications, and other accident documentation. For a serious collision, an attorney may recommend preserving the vehicle for an inspection.
Will repairing my car hurt my personal injury claim?
Not necessarily. However, repairs can alter or eliminate physical evidence that might be relevant to determining how the crash occurred. Preserving detailed documentation before repairs can help protect that evidence.
Should I talk to a lawyer before my totaled car is salvaged?
If you were injured or liability is disputed, consider speaking with a Florida car accident lawyer before authorizing a totaled vehicle to be sold, salvaged, or destroyed. An inspection may be useful before the vehicle is no longer available.
Jaeson continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 2011. Throughout his law school career, Jaeson regularly volunteered his time at Florida Legal Services, where he assisted with several projects aimed at advancing the rights of low-income families in Florida. Jaeson has recovered millions of dollars from individuals for his clients. For his efforts, Jaeson was inducted in 2016 into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. At the time of his induction, he was one of the youngest attorneys in the State of Florida to be inducted.