If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where
the towing service will be taking it. Get a
card from the tow truck operator or write down
the driver’s name, the service’s name, and
the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle
before it is towed away. Make sure this includes
your insurance information and registration if
you keep these items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need
from the other driver. Things like name,
address, phone number, driver’s license
number, vehicle license plate, vehicle make,
model and model year, Vehicle Identi cation
Number (VIN), insurance company and policy
number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from
the scene of the accident. They will walk you
through the information they will need. If they
ask for a police report, phone or go to the police
department headquarters the next day and you
can get a copy of the report for a nominal fee. In
some states/provinces with “no fault” insurance
laws, a report may not be necessary. This is
especially true if there are no injuries and both
vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for
your vehicle. Whether you select a dealer/
retailer or a private collision repair facility to x
the damage, make sure you are comfortable
with them. Remember, you will have to feel
comfortable with their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully
and make sure you understand what work will
be performed on your vehicle. If you have a
question, ask for an explanation. Reputable
shops welcome this opportunity.
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Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are
to make checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the
vehicle’s performance and how it is driven. For
example, your vehicle uses computer modules to
monitor and control engine and transmission
performance, to monitor the conditions for airbag
deployment and deploy airbags in a crash and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking to help the
driver control the vehicle. These modules may store
data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data
about how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of
fuel consumption or average speed. These
modules may also retain the owner’s personal
preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat positions,
and temperature settings.
Event Data Recorders
Some information about your vehicle’s performance
and how it is driven may be recorded on various
modules if a crash occurs. Some people refer to
these modules asevent data recorders (EDRs).
These modules may record several seconds of
pre-crash and crash data, such as data related
toengine speed, brake application, throttle
position, vehicle speed, yaw rate, steering
wheel angle, lateral acceleration, safety belt
usage, airbag readiness, airbag performance
andthe severity of the collision.Unlike the ight
data recorders on airplanes, these modules do not
record sounds or conversations.
To retrieve this data, special equipment and
access to the vehicle or the module that stores
the data are required. Certain data may also
be sent to or retrieved by OnStar
®(see below).
GM will not access this information or share it with
others except: with the consent of the vehicle
owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent
of the lessee; in response to an official request
of police or similar government office; as
partof GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process; or, as required by law.
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