Isn't amazing how we understand each other if we are speakers of a language. Saying, "totaled" to someone who is learning American English might send him to a dictionary, and his definition might be the sum of the parts of something or another. But, we as speakers of the language, imbued with language for years, perhaps, not even native speakers of the language, but around the language for years, we know what "totaled" means. It means that our vehicle was in an accident and completely demolished. What to do?
If your vehicle has been totaled and you are still living, the only thing you can do is wait for the police to arrive. If you have a cell phone and can still use it, do so and wait for the police to arrive. The object is that you really don't have much choice in the matter since your vehicle has been totaled. After the police arrive, your car will be towed, and you might be sent to the hospital even if you can still walk. At any rate, a stop at the hospital for possible injuries is always a good idea since after a collision, you might have injuries that you didn't even feel because pain from bruises usually develops several hours after the impact.
When you are back at home, call your insurance company and report the accident. Most insurance companies will send someone out to see you and drive you into a rental agency for a rental car if you have that option in your car insurance. Your insurance agent will advise you on your car and will handle much of the discussion with assessing total damage, repair possibilities or getting a new car. Responsibility for the accident will be assessed. But, if you have car insurance, your damages will be covered either by your insurance or the other parties insurance, if there was another party involved.
After calling your insurance agent, call your lawyer and let him know what happened. Don't be too trusting of insurance agents since you really don't know all of the facts or all of your rights after a totalling experience and your lawyer should know enough on how to advise you. After the medical, legal and mechanical problems have been taken care, you should have some time to find someone to talk to about your accident. You can be totaled emotionally without even realizing it.
