Collision Center at Lake Ford

What To Do After a Vehicle Accident in Wisconsin

Being involved in a vehicle accident can be stressful and confusing. Knowing what steps to take can help protect your safety, your rights, and your vehicle. If you are involved in an accident, follow the guidance below.

Ensure Safety First

-Check yourself and others for injuries
-If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately
-If it is safe to do so, move vehicles out of traffic to prevent further accidents
-Turn on hazard lights and remain at the scene

Call Law Enforcement

-Contact local law enforcement to report the accident
-In Wisconsin, a police report is important for insurance and repair purposes
-Cooperate with officers and provide accurate information

Exchange Information

Collect the following from all drivers involved:

-Name, address, and phone number
-Driver's license number
-Insurance company and policy number
-Vehicle make, model, and licence plate number

If there are any witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.

Document the Accident

-Take photos or videos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries
-Write down details about what happened while they are still fresh in your memory

Notify Your Insurance Company

-Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible
-Provide them with the police report number and any documentation you gathered
-Remember: In Wisconsin, you have the legal right to choose where your vehicle is repaired. You are not required to use a repair shop suggested by your insurance company.

Choose a Repair Shop You Trust

You may have your vehicle towed or taken directly to Ford Collision Center.

Ford Collision Center:

-Repairs all makes and models of vehicles
-Works with all major insurance companies
-Provides free loaner vehicles if a rental is not covered by your insurance
-Is committed to high-quality, safe, and timely repairs

Choosing a trusted repair facility ensures your vehicle is restored properly and safely.

Follow Up on Repairs

-Review the repair estimate and ask questions if anything is unclear
-Stay in contact with your repair shop and insurance company throughout the process
-Once repairs are complete, inspect your vehicle before leaving the facility

Know Your Rights in Wisconsin

You have the right to select any collision repair shop you prefer
Insurance companies cannot require you to use a specific repair facility
Quality repairs help protect your vehicle's value and your safety

If you have questions after an accident or need assistance with repairs, Ford Collision Center is ready to help guide you through the process and get you safely back on the road.

Get Back on the Road With Quality Collision Repair

When you’ve been involved in a vehicle crash, it can be stressful choosing a repair center that provides high-quality repair and service. At Ford Collision Center, you get peace of mind because our Ford-certified dealership offers expertise needed to get you back on the road, offering Ford Original Equipment and OEM repair procedures to help ensure your Ford vehicle is restored to its original, pre-collision condition. Ford Genuine Parts Collision and Auto Body Parts are guaranteed to provide form, fit, and finish to your Ford vehicle.

Not All Parts Are Created Equal

Ford Original Equipment is important to the repair process. Ford OE parts offer proper fit, which eliminates unsightly gaps, rubbing, or other issues caused by improper fit. Since Ford Genuine Parts are those originally designed for your vehicle, you can be sure that they maintain the same structural integrity and quality as those that were factory-installed. When it comes to your collision service, connect with us about Ford Original Equipment.

The Advantage of Ford Genuine Parts vs. Non-OE Parts

FORD GENUINE PARTS	NON-OE PARTS
Designed to Ford's safety requirements	May not have crumple zones or meet manufacturer's stringent safety requirements
Precise fit	May leave unsightly gaps between body panels
Quick installation	May require workarounds and more time to get parts to fit
Primed and ready for paint	May not be primed, affecting paint adhesion and overall finish quality
Verified build quality	No guarantee of material or design quality
Proven Structural Integrity	Unknown integrity
Maintains resale value	Ill-fitting parts and build quality could affect car's resale value

The Choice Is Yours. Not Theirs.

Discuss Ford OE parts with your insurer

Ford Original Equipment is the closest to factory installed parts for your Ford vehicle. To help promote the proper, safe repair of Ford vehicles, it’s important to request OE parts when taking your vehicle in for collision repair.

Check your policy to be sure you’re covered

Check your policy to make sure you are covered for OE parts in all instances. Oftentimes, you may be covered for “parts of the same kind and quality.” Some policies may specify OE parts must be used and other policies may only cover non-OE parts.

Where should I take my vehicle?

Ultimately, you’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to where to take your vehicle for repair, not your insurance company. As Ford-certified dealers, we maintain a high standard of customer service and repair so you can feel confident and secure your vehicle is in the right hands.

Keep your Ford a Ford

Preserve the integrity of your Ford vehicle by receiving the proper form, fit, function, and quality you expect from Ford Original Equipment, by using Ford Genuine Parts.

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