When you have a car accident, you might not want to get back on the road right away. Regardless of how nervous or shaken up you might feel, however, you are going to need access to a car again, and probably sooner rather than later. You may be unsure of how to progress in the days following your accident, but it is not too difficult to get back on the road whether you have your old vehicle or a courtesy car instead. You have options, and it is important to be educated on what your choices are.
Mental hurdles
To begin with, it is important to take care of your mental battles before they get the best of you. You might be very scared to drive a vehicle again, particularly after a nasty accident, and this is a perfectly normal response. If you were the driver of a vehicle in which you or someone else got hurt, it may take a lot more time for you to get over the trauma of this event. No matter what, even if your accident was a small one, it is important to give yourself a few days to recuperate emotionally in the wake of the crash.
If you are unable to perform normal activities, including getting behind the wheel of a car, after a couple of days of down time, you might need to consider talking to someone professional in order to get back on the road. In some instances, you might just need a little more time to calm your nerves, but drivers have been known to be scared completely away from driving because of accidents they were involved in. Do not let this happen to you. Keep close tabs on your emotional state, and do not be afraid to do something about it if you feel like you might need help.
Vehicle obstacles
Hopefully, your car will not be too damaged, and it will be able to be repaired quickly and get back on the road in no time. Unfortunately, this is sometimes not the case. Your vehicle might be deemed repairable, but at a significant or excessive expense. If your insurance company decides that either of these are true, your vehicle may be held for repairs while you decide whether or not to pay the cost or to simply look for a new car. In extreme circumstances, your car might be deemed unsafe for road use ever again, even with repairs. If this is the case, it will be written off, and you will not see your vehicle again.
When something happens to keep you away from your vehicle, consider a courtesy car. If you are not at fault for the accident, a courtesy car is available to you at no cost. Even if you were at fault, you may be able to take part in this useful service, and you can call your insurance company to find out more information.