What to Do If You Get in an Accident

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Getting into a car accident can be a very stressful situation. The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates that at least 1,055 deaths occurred on Illinois roads due to car accidents, the highest it's been since 2008. Keeping alert and aware on the road can reduce or altogether prevent accidents from occurring in most situations, although it's impossible to predict the behaviors of other drivers. If you find yourself in a collision, no matter how big or small the damage is, knowing what to do if you get in an accident will keep you prepared for any situation.

Step 1: Get to Safety

The moment you get into an accident can put you into shock, but getting to safety is one of the most important steps in ensuring you and your passengers are not further hurt. If you're able to move your vehicle, pull over on the shoulder or a safe area to get away from oncoming traffic. However, if the damages to your vehicle are too severe to move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights to inform other drivers of your inability to move. This will prevent further damage from occurring and can potentially prevent the accident from getting any worse. 

Step 2: Make Sure Everyone is Okay

Your next step is making sure that everyone involved in the accident is okay. Ask your passengers, if you have any, if they feel fine or if they have any pain. If any of your passengers or other parties involved in the accident require medical attention, call 911 immediately. Sometimes, even minor symptoms like dizziness can lead to worse symptoms if left untreated, so it's better to be safe than sorry in accident-related situations. 

Step 3: Call the Police

After ensuring that everyone involved in the accident is okay, it's time to call the police to the scene. No matter how minor the accident may be, a police report is needed to provide proof to your insurance company when filing a claim. After the police provides their report, call the station the officer responded from to receive a copy for yourself to give to your insurance company, if the officer didn't already provide you with one. You can also file an accident report with your DMV if the police are unable to arrive on scene.

Step 4: Exchange Insurance Information

While you're waiting for the police to arrive, it's best to gather as much information as you can on the scene. In order to help file a claim with your insurance company, we recommend gathering these items:

• Insurance information from any other parties involved
• License plate numbers
• Vehicle registration of other parties involved
• Pictures of the accident
• Eyewitness testimonials and contact information
• The name of the police officer responding

Having this information on hand will improve your chances of receiving a beneficial insurance claim. Making sure you obtain as much proof as possible can make a huge difference when you finally file for your claim, so keep a record of your accident on hand for quick reference!

Step 5: File an Insurance Claim

Once you've obtained all of the proof in order to file the claim, it's time to call your insurance company. Before you make the call, make sure you have these three items on hand to reference:

1. A copy of the police report
2. The insurance information, license plate number, and a copy of the vehicle registration of any other parties involved
3. Any additional evidence to benefit your case (eyewitness testimonials, pictures of the accident, etc.)

If you aren't sure what to do when you file an insurance claim, we can help too! After you schedule your appointment to get your vehicle repaired, we can help you through the entire process of filing your claim, from start to finish! Our knowledgable Finance Team can work with you directly to file the claim, or they can save you the stress and file the claim for you! Whether you file your insurance claim on your own or with us, make sure you write down your claim number - you'll need it!

Step 6: Schedule an Appointment

Now that you have your insurance claim number, police report, and all of the information regarding your accident, it's time to schedule your appointment for service. While every accident is different and there is no definitive timetable for any collision repair, we are happy to make arrangements for you if needed. If you're in need of a temporary vehicle while we repair yours, we can provide you with a rental to help you get back on the road right away!

Whether it's a mild accident or something more severe, we at Velde Ford Pekin are here to help you through every step of the way. Staying apprehensive and focused on the road is key to avoiding car accidents. However, making sure you know what to do if you get in an accident will prepare you in the event that one actually occurs. You can further prepare yourself by learning about the different types of accidents and how to avoid them. Learning the ins and outs of insurance claims will also give you an advantage when you go to file one, and it can better help you communicate with your insurance company as you navigate through this stressful process. We hope that our guide on what to do in the event of an accident prepares you for anything, should it occur in the future.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Vehicle Maintenance Lights and What They Mean

PEKIN, Ill.,–– Your vehicle's dashboard can tell you a lot about it and what services it may need. While some, like the Check Engine light are very severe, there are also a lot of other lights that can illuminate for smaller issues that can become large if not properly taken care of. We at Velde Ford have created a list of vehicle maintenance lights and what they mean so that you're prepared for every situation on or off the road!

Check Battery Light

If this symbol lights up, make sure you get serviced right away! This light could mean that your battery has low power, which can leave your vehicle unable to start up. If you leave it unchecked, it can result in engine failure, so make sure you get your battery checked as soon as possible. Our expert battery technicians will help you get everything fixed in a timely manner.

Oil Warning Light

This light could be indicating that your vehicle has low oil pressure or a low oil level. If you see this while driving, pull over somewhere safe and check your oil level as quickly as possible! Driving on a low oil level can cause serious damage to your engine from component overheating. Making sure you get any oil issues taken care of as soon as possible is important in maintaining a healthy vehicle.

Low Tire Pressure Light

If one or more of your tires has low pressure, this light will illuminate to inform you of the problem. Check your tires immediately and take them in for a diagnostic as soon as possible. Small punctures or leaks can be affordably repaired, but larger damage may end up costing more. Sometimes, you may just need to fill up your tire with air, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

Hood Ajar Light

Close your hood as soon as you are able to when you see this light! It means your hood wasn't fully closed when you last shut it. Driving without your hood fully closed for an extended period of time can cause the hood to fly up, which can eliminate your visibility on the road and potentially damage your windshield. Make sure you don't see this symbol while you're driving!

Airbag Malfunction Light

This light will come on when one of the airbags in your vehicle isn't working properly. While you're able to drive just fine without an airbag, it's highly encouraged that you get your airbags fixed as soon as possible. Without an airbag, you don't have anything to protect you if you happen to get into an accident. Staying proactive of this warning light is very important! 

Vehicle maintenance can be a very tedious task. However, keeping yourself safe on the road is a priority, especially when any warning lights illuminate on your vehicle's dashboard. We hope this list of vehicle maintenance lights and what they mean helps you to stay prepared if your vehicle has any issues! If you see an issue we didn't mention, you can refer to our vehicle dashboard light guide for a full list of symbols your car may show and their meanings. If anything does end up coming up and you need assistance, be sure to schedule an appointment to make sure your car is in good hands!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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7 Grilling Safety Tips You Should Know

PEKIN, Ill. – Memorial Day weekend is just the around the corner and so is grilling season, if you haven’t started already. During the warmer months, there’s no better meal then one made over the grill. If you haven't yet, you can try out these mouthwatering grilling recipes that we blogged about last week! While grilling is fun to do and a great way to get everyone together, safety should still be on your mind. Here are 7 grilling safety tips you should know this season to keep you and your loved ones happy and healthy. 

1. Propane and charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and away from your home, camper, or other large structures while you’re cooking. It’s important to keep them out from under tents or awnings as well.
2. Make sure your grill is stable before use. Check to see that all four corners are evenly flat on the ground. This will ensure that your grill won’t tip over while cooking.
3. Children and pets should never be playing around a grill. Don’t take a chance of anyone getting burned. As a general rule, kids and animals should stay at least 4 feet away from the grill while it is in use.
4. Don’t leave your grill unattended. When you’re ready to start cooking, make sure you bring everything you need from the house outside so you’re not making trips back and forth.
5. Use proper barbecuing utensils. Grilling utensils have extra long handles that make food handling easier and safer. These utensils help avoid burns and splatters.
6. Be prepared for anything. In case of a fire, you should have a plan ready. For a grease fire you can use baking soda. Also have a fire extinguisher ready, or if you don’t have one of those, a bucket of sand or a garden hose.
7. Don’t ever try to move a grill while it’s hot. Once the grill is lit, it shouldn’t be moved. Moving a grill is not safe because you could easily get burned or the grill could tip over. 

Please remember these 7 grilling safety tips and enjoy your delicious food! Another way to keep your family happy and healthy, is by making sure your family vehicle gets the Spring Car Care it needs this season. Visit our website and learn about the important maintenance tips your tires, wipers, and car fluids need for the spring season. Schedule your season service appointment at Velde Ford today.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

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Windshield Wiper Blades Tips & Tricks

PEKIN, Illi. – Are your windshield wiper blades cracked, streaking, or squeaking? It's the worst when you need to clear your windshield and your wipers do a less desirable job. But it's more than just annoying. It's also unsafe. Your windshield wipers are crucial to your visibility when you're behind the wheel and if they aren't performing like they should, odds are they need to be replaced!

Over time your windshield wiper blades wear out. The sun can cause them to dry out and crack while ice can tear the blades. So no matter what season it is, it's always important to know that your wiper blades are ready to perform. Press play to find out what you need to know about your windshield wiper blades!

If your vehicle needs new wiper blades or routine maintenance, schedule an appointment at our Ford Dealership Serving Peoria, IL! We can take care of all your automotive needs!

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

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