Should I Have My Vehicle Inspected Or Appraised After An Accident?

After getting into an accident, many people wonder, “Should I have my vehicle inspected or appraised after an accident?” The answer may vary depending on who you ask. From a legal perspective, Bliven Law Firm, P.C., answers this common question below.

Taking Photos of Your Vehicle Prior to Inspection

Before getting your vehicle appraised or inspected, it is important to get as many photos of the vehicle as you can. Take photos from as many different angles as possible. Photos should be of good quality and not blurry.

Photos of vehicles at the scene are very important, as well. It can be helpful to also get photos of the other driver’s vehicle at the scene, if possible, because those images are hard to obtain later. Then you can have your vehicle inspected to determine what the damage is and what repairs can be done, if any.

What If My Car Is Totaled Out?

If your car is totaled, under Montana Code Annotated 2025 car accident laws, you are entitled to recovery of the actual cash value of the vehicle prior to the loss. There may also be a Loss of Use. Even when your vehicle has a total loss, you are entitled to a reasonable time period of loss of use, which is established through either the insurance company providing a rental car or paying you for the value of the rental car.

Who Is Responsible for the Car Repair Costs?

The at-fault driver and their insurance company may be responsible for car repair costs. As long as the other driver was insured, they may have property damage coverage. If so, that insurance company is responsible for the damage to the vehicle, whether it is a total loss or requires repairs. If it is an uninsured motorist claim, it is very important to make a car accident claim against your own insurance company under your collision coverage.

You may have to pay a deductible under that coverage to get the insurance company to pay. If the other driver does not have any insurance, you must rely on your own coverage for the property damage claim. This is an important reason to carry collision coverage on your vehicle because not everyone has insurance, and you may get hit by an uninsured driver.

Unless you have collision coverage on your vehicle, your own company is not going to be paying to fix your vehicle.

What if My Car Damages Keep Me From Being Able to Get to Work?

If your car damage prevents you from driving or forces you to rely on alternative transportation methods, your first thought might be how you may get to work, to the doctor, or wherever you need to go. If you live in a Montana community with limited public transportation or work in an area where employees often commute between Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and elsewhere, getting to and from work could become difficult.

It is difficult to make a claim for lost wages just based on the grounds that your car was in the shop. The appropriate and most beneficial method is to ask for a rental or replacement vehicle. If you are also unable to work due to injury, ask your doctor for a written statement detailing your limitations. In that situation, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond what a lost wage claim might provide if you are unable to work.

Save all transportation records to show your expenses incurred as a result of the accident. Make notes of all communications with your insurer.

Crashes that result only in vehicle damage are common throughout the United States. According to NSC Injury Facts, there were 4,467,000 police-reported property damage crashes across the United States in 2024. These involved 7,815,000 drivers.

Montana requires drivers to carry minimum amounts of automobile liability insurance. Car accident laws, such as Montana Code Annotated § 61-6-103, state that qualifying motor vehicle liability insurance policies must provide at least $20,000 of property damage coverage for each accident you cause. Recoverable compensation may still depend on who was at fault for the crash and your insurance policy limits.

FAQs

How Long Does a Car Appraisal Take After an Accident?

The time a car appraisal takes after an accident may vary depending on the specific facts of the case. Appointment times for a physical inspection may vary depending on availability, but you can expect to wait a few business days to get valuation work completed after the vehicle has been examined. Complex claims may take longer.

What Should I Not Say to My Insurance Company After an Accident?

When speaking to your insurance company after an accident, avoid saying things that are not true and avoid making guesses or things you are unsure of. Do not downplay your injuries, but also do not exaggerate them either. Policyholders should be truthful with their own insurance companies, but inaccurate or speculative statements can unnecessarily prolong an investigation and affect how an insurer values your claim.

Who Inspects a Car After an Accident?

The vehicle may be inspected by an insurance adjuster, damage appraiser, collision repair professional, or independent appraiser after an accident, depending on the details of the claim. An inspection generally focuses on visible damage and estimating expected repair costs. If the vehicle may be a total loss, the insurance company may also appraise its value prior to the accident.

What Is a Car Appraisal After an Accident?

Car appraisals review a vehicle’s damage or value following a collision. Appraisals may be conducted to help determine repair costs or a vehicle’s pre-crash value if it may be considered a total loss by an insurer. Montana auto insurance policies generally pay the actual cash value of a totaled vehicle, which usually means its market value immediately before the accident.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer With Experience

If you have suffered property damage after a car accident, hire a car accident lawyer at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., today. A car accident attorney can help. Contact us for more information about your specific case.