Keep Calm and Don’t Admit Fault 

It’s easy to get worked up after an accident, but the best thing you can do is keep calm. Take a few deep breaths to gather your thoughts before exiting your vehicle. When speaking with other drivers, witnesses, or police, do not ever accept fault for the accident, even if you believe you caused the accident. A panicked statement made to police or other drivers at the scene could prevent you from being fully covered by your insurance and may be used against you if the other driver files a lawsuit. 

Follow an Accident Checklist 

Even with a minor collision, the scene of the accident may be chaotic, so it’s not uncommon to skip critical steps in assessing the scene and gathering information. National Auto Collision Centers offers a helpful accident checklist on our website, which we recommend bookmarking on your phone. Some key steps to follow include: 

• Ask if anyone was injured in your own vehicle or the other vehicles involved. If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911. 
• Call the police to report the accident. 
• Take photos of all vehicles and property involved, as well as the surrounding areas. If you have a dashcam, let the authorities know when they arrive on the scene. 
• Move the vehicles out of the road if possible, and use traffic cones, hazard lights, or warning triangles to alert other drivers. 
• Ask any nearby homes or businesses if they have security camera footage of the accident. 
• Get contact information for all other involved drivers and any witnesses nearby. 
• Notify your insurance company as soon as possible. 

Don’t Get Pressured by Your Insurance Company 

Insurance companies may want you to visit their claims center or a preferred auto body repair shop to inspect the damage to your vehicle. However, you have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired, and you can request that it is inspected at the collision repair shop of your choice. You are not required to obtain more than one estimate for repairs or visit a specific shop recommended by your insurance company. Have your vehicle towed to National Auto Collision Centers after the accident, and we will negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf and help you make all necessary arrangements at our shop. 

Being in an accident is stressful, but getting your vehicle repaired doesn’t have to be. National Auto Collision Centers has three convenient Tucson locations with unibody repair equipment and certified repair technicians, and our Valenica location even has Enterprise car rental onsite. Contact us if you have been in an accident to get your vehicle back on the road quickly.

The post Managing the Stress of Being in an Accident for the First Time appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Understanding the Different Types of Car Seats

There are thousands of different car seats on the market, and some may not have ideal safety ratings or may be uncomfortable or hard to use. There are also many different types of car seats available, and it’s important to understand which type is right for your child based on their age, size, and any special needs they have. Your child may need to transition from one type of car seat to another as they grow.

Infant Car Seats

Infant car seats are rear-facing only. They have a removable carrier that connects to a base that is installed in your car. You will need to update your car seat when the top of your child’s head is an inch or less from the top of the car seat’s carrier shell.

Convertible Car Seats

Convertible car seats can be rear and forward-facing. They should be used on or before your child’s first birthday. They have a higher weight limit.

All-in-one Car Seats

All-in-one car seats can be rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster seats. They aren’t as convenient or comfortable for newborns or infants, however. They can typically accommodate children between four and 50 pounds when rear-facing and 20 to 65 pounds when forward-facing. They can be used as a booster seat for kids up to 120 pounds.

Booster Seats

Booster seats are forward-facing only and allow you to use the seat belt in your vehicle.

Harnessed Booster Seats

A harnessed booster seat is forward-facing only and uses a harness for children between 20 and 90 pounds. The seat then transitions to use with your vehicle’s seat belt when your child is between 30 and 120 pounds.

Read Reviews and Get Guidance From Experts 

You should always read customer reviews of a car seat before purchasing it. See what other parents have to say about how easy the car seat is to install and use, how adjustable it is, whether their child found it comfortable, and whether there are any safety concerns. You should also get recommendations and guidance from your child’s pediatrician and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) or use the car seat buying guide provided by Safe Kids Worldwide. Finally, make sure there have not been any complaints or recalls for the specific brand, make, and model of car seat you’re considering. You can also get your car seat checked for free at Safe Kids Arizona.

At National Auto Collision Centers, we can help you maintain the safety of your vehicle by providing fast, reliable collision repair and maintenance. Call us today or contact us online to schedule an appointment at one of our auto service centers in Tucson, AZ.

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Always Be Aware of Your Blind Spots

Always be aware of your blind spots while driving and have a plan for compensating for areas you can’t see clearly. Use your rearview mirror, side mirror, and cameras (if your vehicle is equipped with them) to check your blind spots to the side of you and behind you to see what other vehicles are doing.

Pay Attention to What is Happening Around You

Don’t drive distracted. Pay attention to what is happening around you so that you have time to react without needing to slam on your brakes. Watch for brake lights on vehicles ahead of you so that you know if they are flowing down or stopping. Look for merge or yield signs, detour signs, four-way stops, and other signs and traffic signals that may require drivers to make sudden decisions.

Always Use Your Turn Signal

Use your turn signal as early as possible to warn other drivers of your intentions. Your turn signal should indicate the move you plan to make within the next few moments, so that drivers behind you can anticipate your switching lanes, slowing down, or stopping.

Don’t Get Boxed In

Getting boxed in means that you don’t have an escape route if something unexpected happens. Make sure that you always have space to maneuver around an unexpected obstacle or avoid a collision or hazard by changing lanes or applying your brakes. Keep the appropriate following distance between yourself and the car in front of you, and make sure you always have an escape route should you need to get out of your lane suddenly.

Get Away from Drivers Who are Tailgating

If someone behind you keeps rushing up behind your car, laying on their horn, or trying to get around you, pull over to the side of the road or turn into a parking lot to let them pass. People who drive aggressively do not act reasonably and can cause an accident that affects you and everyone else on the road. It’s better to get away from them than give into their bullying tactics.

If you are rear-ended, bring your vehicle into National Auto Collision Centers for repair. Follow our accident checklist to determine what your next steps should be and let us negotiate with your insurance company for you. We offer major and minor collision repair in Tucson, AZ and will help you work with your insurance company to get coverage for repairs. We also help with car rentals or can offer you a loaner vehicle. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call our Valencia Road location at (520) 889-2536 or contact us online.

The post Tips for Avoiding Rear End Collisions appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Determine the Coverage Requirements in Your State

First, you should determine the auto insurance coverage requirements in your state. In Arizona, all drivers must have proof of financial responsibility when driving a motor vehicle. The minimum coverage limits for auto insurance are:

• $25,000 for one person sustaining bodily injury or death in an accident 
• $50,000 for two or more persons sustaining bodily injury or death in an accident 
• $15,000 for damage to others’ property

Evaluate Your Lifestyle and Driving Habits

You might also choose to enhance your auto insurance coverage based on your lifestyle, driving habits, and needs. For instance, you could choose to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This coverage pays your medical bills and any property damage costs if you are in a crash with a motorist who doesn’t have liability insurance or whose liability insurance is insufficient.

Create a Budget

Next, create a realistic budget for what you can afford to pay for car insurance. Calculate what your living expenses are during a three-month period and determine how much you can pay for car insurance, car maintenance, gas, car registration fees, and car storage or parking fees.

Check Third-Party Ratings

Use third-party ratings to find car insurance companies that are highly rated for customer service, affordable car insurance plans, responsiveness, ethics, transparency, and trust. This will help you gather unbiased information that you can use to choose the right auto insurance company for you. Some of the top ranked auto insurance companies according to U.S. News & World Report are USAA, Auto-Owners, Nationwide, State Farm, and Geico.

Read Customer Reviews

Customer reviews can also give you a sense of how an auto insurance company operates. Keep in mind that most people don’t like dealing with auto insurance companies, and so they will have far more negative reviews than other companies that consumers use. However, you can look for red flags in reviews, such as a large number of customers claiming that a company uses unfair or unethical practices, illegal billing practices, or false advertising.

Compare Quotes Based on Coverage

Finally, compare auto insurance quotes based on the type of coverage you need. Your premium amount can vary from company to company based on the type of vehicle you drive, your age, your driving history, and coverage options.

At National Auto Collision Centers, we offer reliable, affordable vehicle repairs and can help you handle your claim with your auto insurance company in Tucson, AZ with as little stress as possible. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call our Grant Road location today at (520) 623-4959 or contact us online.

The post Which Auto Insurance Company Is Best? appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Travel with an Emergency Roadside Kit and First Aid Kit

It’s best to be as prepared as possible when traveling over the holidays. Buy or put together an emergency roadside kit that includes jumper cables, flashlights, reflective signs, an ice scraper, flares, a cell phone charger or power bank, emergency blanket, water, a paper map, and kitty litter or sand. You should also bring a first aid kit with you for treatment of minor injuries like blisters, burns, allergies, cuts and scrapes, headaches, and more.

Don’t Drive While Distracted

Not only is distracted driving against the law, but it can also significantly increase your risk of a car accident. For the most road safety, do not use your cellphone while driving, especially while on highways or freeways or driving on unfamiliar roads or in unsafe conditions. Use a hands free navigation device and don’t fiddle with radio knobs or controls while driving. If you must make a call, change your route, or look for something, pull over to the side of the road or into a parking lot or rest area to do so.

Get Plenty of Sleep and Take Breaks

Make sure you get enough sleep the night before you drive. Driving while you’re tired can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. You should also plan breaks so that you don’t become fatigued or distracted and stay refreshed and focused throughout your journey.

Make Sure Your Auto Insurance is Current

Before you leave on a road trip, make sure your vehicle registration and auto insurance are current. You don’t want to be pulled over and ticketed or face huge penalties for a lapse in insurance coverage should you get into an accident.

Look Up Emergency Roadside Assistance Numbers

If you have roadside assistance, make sure you know what number to call if you need help. If you don’t have roadside assistance, look up phone numbers for national or local towing or roadside assistance agencies in the areas you will be traveling.

If you get into an accident in Tucson, AZ, our team at National Auto Collision Centers can help. We offer minor and major collision repair, loaner vehicles and rental vehicles, paint services, and general maintenance and mechanical repair. We will handle every detail of your vehicle repair to ensure it is safe to drive after being in an accident. We will also make it as easy as possible to deal with your insurance company. To learn more or schedule an appointment for auto repair, call our Broadway Boulevard location at (520) 760-5536 or contact us online.

The post How to Stay Safe on the Road This Holiday Season appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Calculating the Three Second Rule

The National Safety Council recommends that cars maintain a minimum of three second following distance between themselves and the car in front of them. You can calculate this three-second gap by picking a landmark or roadside marker ahead of you on the road. When the vehicle ahead of you reaches that marker, count the number of seconds it takes for you to reach it yourself. If it is less than three seconds, you need to increase your following distance.

Understanding the Three Second Rule

The three second rule gives you a starting point for calculating a safe following distance. Three seconds isn’t enough for all situations, however. If you are driving a large, heavy vehicle or if your brakes aren’t in optimal condition, it may take you longer to brake. If you’re traveling on a roadway that is slick with ice or rain, if your visibility is low, or if you’re on a freeway or highway traveling at high speeds, three seconds isn’t enough time to come to a complete stop.

A New Way of Calculating Distance

In less than ideal driving conditions or when you’re driving a large vehicle or traveling at high speeds, you need to use a different method for calculating the distance between yourself and the car in front of you. First, you should calculate how many feet you cover in an hour of driving. You can do this by multiplying your driving speed by the number of feet in a mile: 5,280. Then you should calculate the feet you cover in one minute of driving by dividing that number by 60. Next, determine how many feet you cover in one second of driving by dividing that number by 60. Finally, multiply that answer by three in order to calculate your safe driving distance at your current speed. When you use this calculation, you’ll find that when you’re driving 65 mph on a highway, you need to keep around 5 seconds of distance between you and the car ahead of you.

If you have minor or major collision damage in Tucson, AZ, after a rear-end accident, come see us at National Auto Collision Centers. We specialize in auto body repair, getting out dents and dings, fixing scratches, and repairing paint jobs. You should also check out our accident checklist to learn what to do after being rear-ended or rear-ending another car. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call us today or contact us online.

The post What Is the Three Second Rule in Traffic? appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Tires & Wheels

Problems with your car’s tires and wheels can affect its gas mileage, performance, and safety. Check the following regularly for signs of problems, and bring your car into an auto repair shop if you notice any issues.

• Tire Treads – Your tire’s treads give your car traction on the road, which is especially important on slippery roads. Watch for signs of wear on your tires, strange bulges or lumps, or objects stuck in the tire. Any of these issues can cause a flat tire or blowout. 
• Tire Pressure – The tire pressure indicates whether you’re at risk of a flat tire or blowout. Low tire pressure can also lower your fuel efficiency. You can use a tire pressure gauge to check the level of inflation. 
• Wheel Alignment – If your car is veering to the left or right when you drive, you may have an alignment issue. Having your car’s alignment checked will improve your car’s performance and safety.

Fluids

Your car’s fluids keep the different parts operating smoothly and safely. Low fluid levels may cause your car to stall or not start at all. 

• Oil – Your car can’t run without the proper oil level. You can check your car’s oil level yourself, or take it into an auto shop or the dealership for an oil change. 
• Power Steering – Without the right amount of power steering fluid, your car may not drive properly. You can refill your power steering fluid yourself, or take it to an auto shop.
• Antifreeze and Coolant – Antifreeze protects your car in cold temperatures, and coolant prevents your engine from overheating. You must maintain the right levels of both fluids to avoid a breakdown. 
• Transmission Fluid – The transmission fluid protects your car from damage and engine or transmission failure. Too much or too little fluid can cause a big problem. Bring your car into an auto shop regularly to have your transmission fluid changed.

Filters

Your car’s oil, fuel, air, and cabin filters enable flows and catch impurities. They make sure dust and other contaminants stay out of the oil, fuel, and air. Checking and changing your car’s air and cabin filters will maintain the efficiency of your air conditioning and make sure your interior air is safer. The oil and fuel filters protect the car’s operation and performance. 

• Oil – The oil filter maintains a continuous flow of oil and removes particles like dirt, metal, and oxidized oil. These particles can affect the efficiency and performance of the oil. Change your oil filters during each oil change.
• Fuel – The fuel filter removes impurities like dust, grit, and rust so they won’t contaminate the fuel. This protects your fuel injectors and maintains the lifespan of your engine.

If you need auto maintenance or auto repair in Tucson, AZ, visit us at National Auto Collision. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call us today or contact us online.

The post Parts of Your Car that You Should Be Checking Regularly appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Plan Your Route in Advance

Getting stuck in traffic can be upsetting, particularly if you weren’t expecting it. Even worse, this unwelcome surprise could make you late for work or an important function. One way to combat this stressful feeling is to plan your route in advance. Listen to traffic reports on the radio or use a navigation app to decrease your chances of getting stuck in a stressful situation on the road.

Try Breathing Exercises 

If you’re behind the wheel and you can feel yourself becoming angry or frustrated, try to remember to take deep breaths. Humans naturally begin to breathe more shallowly when they get upset, and this feeling will only make you more agitated. By slowing down and taking deep breaths, you can remind your body to calm down. 

Distract Yourself

Sometimes, there’s no way around it: you’re upset and there’s nowhere for you to go because you’re stuck in traffic or driving on a busy highway. When all else fails, try to distract yourself from your negative emotions. You can listen to music or a podcast, chat with a passenger, or call a friend (using a hands free system, of course) to help yourself focus on something else. 

Contact National Auto Collision Centers Today!

If you were caught in an accident as a result of a stressful driving situation, National Auto Collision Centers is here to help you. We provide expert auto body repairs that will have you and your car back on the road in no time at all. Contact our Grant Rd. location at (520) 623-4959 today to learn more or to get an estimate!

The post Tips for Staying Calm in Stressful Driving Conditions appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are one of the biggest sources of distraction for drivers. Texting and talking on the phone can greatly reduce your ability to focus on the road, as well as distract you from potential hazards or other vehicles around you. You should also avoid looking at social media or other apps on your phone. If you must make a call or find directions, pull over to the side of the road in a safe location before doing so.

Eating and Drinking

While having food and drinks can help keep you alert during long trips, it is important to not become distracted while eating or drinking behind the wheel. This can lead to spills, which can be dangerous if they occur in the driver’s line of vision. Eating or drinking should only be done when you are safely stopped and not driving.

GPS Navigation Systems

GPS navigation systems can be helpful for finding your way to a destination, but can also be extremely distracting while driving. It is best to program your GPS and find out your route before setting off on your journey. If you need to make adjustments or changes while driving, do so when you have reached a safe location.

Contact National Auto Collision Centers Today

If you’ve been in an accident due to distracted driving, we can help. National Auto Collision Centers offers expert repair services and can have your car back on the road in no time. Contact our Broadway Blvd. location at (520) 760-5536 today to schedule your appointment.

The post Top Distractions to Avoid While Behind the Wheel appeared first on National Auto Collision Centers.

Get Enough Rest

Before you embark on a long journey, make sure you’re well-rested. Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. To avoid drowsy driving, get seven to eight hours of sleep the night before your trip. If possible, take a nap before getting behind the wheel. If you feel yourself falling asleep while you’re driving, pull over and take a 20-minute power nap.

Caffeine Can Help

If you’re feeling drowsy, reach for a cup of coffee or an energy drink. Caffeine can help improve your alertness and focus. However, don’t rely on caffeine too much – you don’t want to overdo it and end up with the jitters. A cup of coffee or energy drink can help, but it’s not a substitute for rest. It’s best to get a good night’s sleep before driving.

Take Breaks Often

If you’re driving for more than two hours, take a break every 100 miles or so. Get out of the car and walk around for a few minutes. Stretch your legs and get some fresh air to help you stay awake. If possible, switch drivers every few hours.

Contact National Auto Collision Centers Today

If your car was damaged in a sleep-related accident, we can help. Our experienced team at National Auto Collision Centers can repair your car quickly and efficiently, so you can get back on the road.  We work with all insurance companies, so you can rest assured that your repairs will be covered. Contact our Grant Rd location today at (520) 623-4959 to schedule your consultation.

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