What is the process for handling minor vehicle scratch accidents?
3 Answers
First, clean the scratch with water, then apply a small amount of toothpaste to the scratched area and gently rub it back and forth. Once the scratch disappears or weakens, wipe it dry with a wet towel. Similar to the toothpaste method, choose nail polish that matches the color of your car's paint and apply it evenly to the scratch. Wait for the nail polish to dry. This method is suitable for small-area scratches and scrapes. First, use very fine sandpaper dipped in water to gently remove rust spots, but avoid sanding randomly—always sand in the same straight-line direction.
When I first started driving, I accidentally bumped into the rear bumper of another car, and the whole process was actually quite simple. The first reaction is not to panic, quickly find a safe place to pull over, turn on the hazard lights and place a warning triangle to prevent rear-end collisions. Get out of the car to check if anyone is injured, and only after ensuring safety, talk to the other driver. For minor accidents with clear liability, exchanging phone numbers, driver's licenses, and insurance information is sufficient. Take photos of the damaged areas and the scene, including license plates. Calling the police is not mandatory, but if liability is unclear or someone is injured, call 110 immediately. Remember to contact your insurance company within 24 hours to report the accident details; they will guide you through the claims process or handle the repairs directly. Minor scratches and dents cost only a few hundred yuan to fix, so find a reliable repair shop and get it done as soon as possible to prevent rusting. Stay calm throughout the process and treat it as a learning experience.
I've been through this quite a few times. Minor scratches are really no big deal. After parking safely, focus on information exchange: calmly communicate with the other party to swap names, contact numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy numbers. Take comprehensive photos - close-ups of the damage, overall vehicle positioning, and surrounding environment. If liability is clear, skip calling the police to save time and directly contact your insurance to report. For subsequent claims, just provide photos and describe the process. Minor repairs are usually covered by insurance or can be paid out-of-pocket. As a reminder, document the time and location to prevent future disputes, and maintaining a friendly attitude can reduce hassle. Once you're familiar with the process, it goes quite smoothly.
