23 March 2021

How Car Accidents Can Affect Your Kids - Not My Fault

If you’ve ever been in a car accident - or are close to someone who has - then you’re probably familiar with the type of trauma it can cause. Even minor accidents and accidents where you are not at fault can cause serious trauma - physical as well as emotional trauma. Emotional trauma can include flashbacks or even PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder). 

But have you ever considered - even if you were not at fault in the accident - how the stress of the car accident can affect the emotional wellbeing of your kids? Children can especially be prone to PTSD so it’s important to keep an eye out for the warning signs and to help them cope with the accident.

Please seek professional medical help if you feel that your child is struggling after an accident.

Your children can experience flashbacks of the accident, they can also have nightmares and upsetting memories that can bring up emotions.

How can you help 

It’s important to be there for your kids - and to be available to them when they want to talk about the accident. Psychologists recommend letting your children speak openly and freely about the accident and what they remember from it. Letting them speak about the accident is a great tool in helping them to come to terms with what happened as well as to process the accident for themselves. 

Children generally open up when they are relaxed and open to sharing. It’s important to be available at this time to properly listen to them.

More than just talking

Some kids don’t want to express their feelings by talking. And that’s ok! There are other ways to get your child to open up about the car accident. You can try letting them draw pictures of the accident and what they remember. Once they’re comfortable with that, you can move onto other activities that will allow them to express their feelings and emotions - such as playing with cars or other toys to recreate their memories. It’s important to not force any conversation but rather let it happen naturally.

Making life as normal as possible - accident replacement vehicles

Life goes on - and it’s important to make things as comfortable as possible for everyone. Getting an accident replacement vehicle can really help - your rental car means that you can go back to your normal life as quickly as possible. If you were not at fault then you may be eligible for a replacement rental at no cost to you - contact our team as soon as possible after your accident, we’ll help you.

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you 

1300 889 25

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What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

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What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

If your car has been involved in an accident, you may hear the term “write-off” from your insurance company or repairer. But what does it actually mean when your car is declared a write-off? Understanding this process can help you make informed decisions about your car, repairs and costs.

A car is considered a write-off when the cost to repair it after an accident is too high compared to its market value. Insurance companies often calculate the repair cost and compare it to the car’s value prior to the accident. If the repair cost is more than a certain percentage of the car’s value, typically around 60–75%, the car may be classified as a write-off. This doesn’t always mean your car is completely destroyed; sometimes the car could technically be repaired, but the cost would outweigh the benefits.

There are different types of write-offs. A total loss write-off is when the car is so badly damaged that repairing it is not financially viable. A repairable write-off is when the car can be fixed, but it requires significant repairs. In either case, the insurance company will usually pay out the car’s value at the time of the accident, minus any applicable excess or deductions.

The cost implications of a write-off can vary. If your car is declared a write-off, you may need to consider the cost of replacing it with another car. Some car owners opt to keep a repairable write-off, but this comes with the added repair costs, which can be substantial depending on the extent of the damage. Repair costs can quickly add up, especially if the accident involved structural damage or expensive parts.

It’s also important to understand that a car that has been written off may have a lower resale value even after repairs. Future buyers often view written-off cars as higher risk, which can affect the cost of insurance and overall value.

If your car is declared a write-off after an accident, speak with your insurance provider to understand your options. You may receive a payout for the car’s value, and in some cases, you can negotiate repair costs or even retain the car if it is repairable. Knowing what a write-off means, how it affects repair costs, and how it impacts the car’s value can save you time, money and stress after an accident.

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