In 2018, the number of cars sold in the world was over 78.7 million units. If you add the number of pickups and sport utility vehicles (SUV) to the list, the number easily tops 120 million.
Then add in the costs of building and maintaining roads for them to be driven on, parking lots, bridges, parts and accessories, insurance, and repairs. Add it all together and it comes to quite a bit of money. Suffice it to say, the automotive industry is big business.
As we continue marching into the future, the automotive share of the economy will continue to grow in lockstep with it. Kerbside management is transforming the way drivers park their cars and generating a lot of business in the process. That’s just one example from one city. There are literally millions of other examples from around the globe.
In all of that revenue-generating business, in the midst of the gleaming metal and new car smell, in all of those gigantic numbers, there is still one thing missing; you.
Oops!
It’s a sad fact of life that accidents happen often and when they do, the one who usually gets left out in the cold, financially speaking, is you. Your money, as the customer buying all the cars and trucks and accessories, powers the entire automotive industry worldwide but when the shoe is on the other foot and you’re the one needing money to recover from an accident, you’re the one who gets left dangling.
It’s not fair. It’s not humane. It’s not right. It is, however, a fact of life.
That being the case, you need an advocate in your corner (if you’ll allow us to mix our metaphors a bit). You need someone who will listen to your concerns and take a personal interest in your case beyond merely the impact on your banking account. You need someone who will fight for you as if you were family.
Recovering From An Accident
An automobile accident damages your auto, obviously, but there is more to it than that. It also has the potential to put you in the hospital for weeks or months on end, along with all the attendant pain and suffering that accompanies it. Many companies have modern attitudes toward accidents and the time you need to recuperate, so you may not lose your employment, but you’ll certainly take a financial hit no matter arraignments you’ve made.
There is also the emotional toll it takes on you. Being out of work while you recover may be the first enforced idleness you’ve experienced since you were a child. Additionally, there may be large psychological complications during the first year after an accident. That is when most people will experience posttraumatic stress disorders, depression, persistent anxiety, and unexpected phobias. Surprisingly, these types of psychological problems may be more severe in less serious accidents than you would think. You should prepare yourself and not be taken by surprise if it happens to you.
Replacing Your Auto
Depending on the severity of the accident, your automobile may not be repairable. You may have to replace it. Sadly, insurance often fails to cover the entire cost of replacing your automobile with an equivalent or better one. This is another reason why you need an advocate to stand up and fight for you during your most vulnerable hours.
Assuming everything has gone your way, there are several different ways to go about shopping for another vehicle, not the least of which is shopping for it online. New start-up companies that specialize in helping consumers buy new, used, or leased cars online are growing by leaps and bounds. You can utilize their services while you’re still in a hospital bed or at home with your bandaged foot propped up on an ottoman.
If your old care couldn’t be fixed or would cost more than it’s worth, you’re going to need a new vehicle, so why not try doing it the modern way from the comfort of your favorite armchair?
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
The 1987 comedy with Steve Martin and John Candy made a joke out of driving around the country in the dead of winter in a torn-up car with a manic companion (Candy) but the reality is, cars can be dangerous even under the best of circumstances. You need someone to help you through the aftermath of an accident who knows all the ins and outs of the legal system. Most of all, you need someone who will treat you right. You need a friend.
