A car accident in Los Angeles can result in serious damage to your vehicle. It’s natural to want to get your vehicle repaired as quickly as possible, so you can get back to your normal life. However, you may be unsure who decides where your car gets repaired after a car accident in Los Angeles, CA.
While your insurance company can make suggestions about repair shops for you to use, they cannot pick the shop for you. In fact, you get to choose the shop that will repair your vehicle after a car accident. You can review the best ways to pick a repair shop here with the Simmrin Law Group. You can contact Simmrin Law Group to get more information about your rights from our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles.
California’s Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights
California passed an Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights that grants you the right to pick your own vehicle repair shop after a car accident. According to this statement, insurance companies are not legally allowed to require you to use a specific auto body repair shop. Additionally, this bill of rights entitles you to information about:
- An estimate for the cost of repairs
- An invoice for all completed work
- Coverage for towing and storage services
- Coverage for replacement rental vehicles
You can get a repair estimate from an independent auto repair shop while completing an insurance claim in California. You can also report suspected fraud and any complaints you have about the repairs to your vehicle.
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Selecting a Repair Shop on Your Insurance Company’s Approved List
You have the right to select any repair shop you would like to use after a car accident in Los Angeles, CA. In many cases, your insurance company will strongly encourage you to pick a shop they recommend. They may promise:
- Less paperwork if you use an approved shop
- Discounts for using a shop they support
- Coverage for rental cars if you use approved shops
However, you are not required to use any of the shops on your insurance company’s approved list. If your insurance company tries to claim that you must, you can contact us to get legal help from the Simmrin Law Group.
Selecting an Independent Auto Repair Shop After a Car Accident
As we have mentioned, you have the right to select any repair shop to work on your vehicle after an accident. You may decide to pick a repair shop based upon:
- Past history with the repair shop
- The shop’s proximity to your home
- Specials offered by the shop
- Reviews about the shop from other drivers
It is recommended that you consider your options carefully when selecting a repair shop after an accident in Los Angeles. You may end up back in the repair shop if the technicians do not complete their jobs properly.
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Dealing with a Totaled Vehicle After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
You should be aware that your insurance company will not always agree to cover the damage to your vehicle after a car accident in Los Angeles. Insurance agents may declare your vehicle totaled if the estimated repair costs are higher than the value of your car.
Note that the value of your car will be based on the vehicle’s current worth. The insurance company will not make this decision based on the amount of money you paid for your vehicle when you first bought it. In some cases, your vehicle could end up totaled even with a relatively small amount of damage.
If your vehicle is totaled, your insurance company should pay you fair market value for the car. You will not be allowed to keep your vehicle if it is totaled. Note that, if you think the insurance appraiser’s estimate of damage was incorrect, you can request a new appraisal from an independent party. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you go over all your legal rights after a collision.
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Call a Lawyer When Deciding Where Your Car Gets Repaired After a Car Wreck
You get to decide where your car gets repaired after a car accident in Los Angeles, CA. Your insurance company can offer suggestions, but the final decision will be up to you. You can get help handling decisions about repair shops and all other aspects of your car accident claim from the Simmrin Law Group. Find out more by contacting Simmrin Law Group or completing our online contact form.
Review your legal options after a collision with a FREE consultation from our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles.
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