Getting into a car accident is one of the most stressful experiences a driver can have. In the moments after a collision, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Whether it was a minor fender bender in a parking lot or a serious collision on I-25, the steps you take immediately after an accident can have a significant impact on your safety, your insurance claim, and the quality of your collision repair. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help Denver metro drivers navigate the process from start to finish.
Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s always worth getting checked out — some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. If the vehicles are driveable and the accident is minor, move them out of traffic to a safe location.
Step 2: Call the Police
In Colorado, you are required to report any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Given that even minor body panel damage can exceed that threshold, it’s generally a good idea to call the police and get an official accident report filed. A police report creates a formal record of the incident, which is important for your insurance claim and any potential legal proceedings.
Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene
Use your phone to photograph all vehicles involved, the surrounding area, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible damage. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, insurance company, policy number, and license plate. If there are witnesses, collect their contact information as well. The more documentation you have, the smoother your collision repair claim will go.
Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and open a claim. Most insurers have 24-hour claims lines and mobile apps that make this process straightforward. Give them the basic facts — where, when, and what happened — and let them know you’ll be getting the vehicle assessed for collision repair.
Step 5: Choose Your Own Collision Repair Shop
This is where a lot of drivers make a costly mistake. Your insurance company may recommend a preferred shop or a direct repair program (DRP) facility — but in Colorado, you are not legally required to use them. Under Colorado statute, you have the right to choose any licensed auto body shop you trust for your collision repair. Choosing an independent shop like David’s Hail & Collision in Englewood means your repair is done by I-CAR and ASE certified technicians who work for you — not for your insurance company.
Step 6: Get a Professional Collision Repair Estimate
Once you’ve chosen your shop, bring your vehicle in for a thorough damage assessment. A professional collision repair estimate goes well beyond what’s visible on the surface. At David’s Hail & Collision, our technicians inspect for structural damage, frame misalignment, hidden panel damage, and any safety system concerns that may have been affected by the impact.
Step 7: Understand What Collision Repair Involves
Depending on the severity of the accident, your collision repair may include dent removal and panel repair, panel replacement, frame straightening, structural repair, paint matching and refinishing, and glass replacement. Modern vehicles are built with advanced safety systems — sensors, cameras, and structural crumple zones — that require precision repair techniques to restore properly. This is why choosing a certified collision repair facility matters. Cutting corners on auto body repair can compromise your vehicle’s safety in a future accident.
Step 8: Let Your Shop Handle the Insurance Process
At David’s Hail & Collision, we work directly with all major insurance companies including State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, Farmers, USAA, and more. We document the damage, communicate with your adjuster, file supplements when additional damage is discovered during the repair process, and make sure every aspect of your collision repair is properly covered. You shouldn’t have to fight your insurance company — we do that for you.
Step 9: Understand the Repair Timeline
Minor collision repairs can often be completed in a few days. More significant repairs involving frame straightening, structural work, or parts that need to be ordered may take one to several weeks. Your shop should give you a clear timeline estimate upfront and keep you updated as the repair progresses. At David’s Hail & Collision, we keep our customers informed every step of the way so there are no surprises.
Step 10: Inspect Your Vehicle Before You Drive Away
When your collision repair is complete, inspect the vehicle carefully before leaving the shop. Check the paint match, panel alignment, and any areas that were part of the repair. Ask your technician to walk you through what was done. At David’s Hail & Collision, every collision repair is backed by our lifetime warranty — so if you ever have a concern after picking up your vehicle, we stand behind our work.
Getting into an accident is never convenient, but navigating the aftermath doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you’ve been in a collision anywhere in the Denver metro area — including Englewood, Littleton, Aurora, Lakewood, or Denver — the team at David’s Hail & Collision is ready to help. Contact us today for a free estimate and let us handle everything from the first call to the final inspection.