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One of the most common types of accidents is slamming into a garage door. Whether you were in the garage trying to get out or parked out front and put it in the wrong gear, running your car into your garage can be traumatic and expensive.
If you find yourself in a sticky situation where you have just rammed through your garage door, what might be funny in a few weeks certainly isn’t comedic when it happens. The most important thing is to stay calm and follow a few steps to ensure your safety.
While most garage door accidents are not fatal, they can be damaging and traumatic when it happens to you. A claim on your homeowner’s insurance will help you deal with the aftermath, but let's take a closer look at a few things you should do at the time of your accident.
Turn Off Your Vehicle
Being involved in an accident will send you for a temporary loop. It may take you a few moments to get your bearings. The most important thing to remember is to put your vehicle in the park quickly and shut off the engine. This will prevent any further vehicle movement or damage. If you have run inside the garage, you don’t want your engine running in an enclosed space while trying to navigate your situation.
Stay Calm
While an accident is certainly upsetting, it is not helpful to any situation to become hysterical. Take a moment to have a few deep breaths before assessing your situation.
Check for Injuries
Before you try to get out of your vehicle following an accident, do a quick self-assessment to determine whether or not you are injured. Check all of your passengers to ensure they are ok.
Safety First
When you drive your vehicle through your garage door, it can be messy and risky. There could be sharp and twisted metal, pulled wiring, or other debris at the site. For your safety, try to get a good look around the vehicle and choose the safest exit route for everyone.
Call for Help
If you cannot safely get out of your vehicle, you will need to call for help. First, find a neighbor or family member to help you better understand the situation. If you cannot get out with assistance, you will need to call emergency services for help.
Assess the Damage
Once you are safely out of your vehicle, it’s time to check out the damage. Before you move anything, it’s smart to take some pictures of the scene and the specific damage to your vehicle and garage. These photos will be helpful when you file your insurance claims.
Contact Your Insurance Companies
How you deal with your insurance in this situation will depend on the type of coverage you have. When you hit your own garage door with your vehicle, and both are damaged, it’s difficult to know whether to claim through your car or home insurance. Talk to your broker to find out how your claim is best filed.
We all have embarrassing moments, some more damaging than others. If you have had an accident with your vehicle and garage door, follow these tips to help you get safely out the other side.
