You Were in an Auto Collision, Now What?
Getting into an auto collision, no matter the severity, can be a life-altering experience for anyone involved. Especially when you factor in the aftermath of an auto collision, including legal, insurance, personal injury, and vehicle repair costs.
Post Auto Collision Steps
If you ever find yourself at the disadvantage of being involved in a minor auto collision, here are some general procedures to follow, in order to achieve the safest outcome for all involved:
- Stop the car, turn off the engine and switch on your hazard lights.
- Check for any injuries, on yourself, and any passengers you may have in your vehicle. Call an ambulance if necessary.
- Take pictures of the damage. Evidence may come in handy when making insurance claims.
- Stay calm. Do not take responsibility or blame any other drivers involved.
- Note all vehicle details & swap contact and insurance details with any other involved drivers.
A police report should be made within 24 hours, and your insurance provider should be contacted immediately to check if your vehicle is safe to be driven.
Common Types of Auto Collisions
These are the most common types of auto collisions.
Rear End Collision
A rear end collision is when a vehicle crashes into the back end of another. The fatalities are usually speed dependent, but are often not life threatening. A rear end collision is more likely to occur in start/stop traffic, and may be the result of sudden deceleration and tailgating.
The damages to a vehicle involved in such a collision can include:
Trunk malfunction – damage to the trunk could go unnoticed at first, however issues may arise, such as the trunk lid not staying locked. This may cause the trunk to randomly open while driving, obstructing the driver’s rear view, therefore becoming a hazard to them and others on the road. In most cases this latch may need to be replaced completely.
Frame bending – as bumpers are generally made of plastic, they cannot offer much protection in an accident. A broken or cracked bumper can equal hidden damage in the form of a damaged frame. This could further mean the components that make up a vehicle’s built in warning and safety systems could become misaligned, including air bags – meaning they will not function correctly, if at all, during another accident.
A bent car frame will need to be fixed by a qualified auto collision repair mechanic, using hydraulic machines and precision-based tools, in order to push the vehicle’s frame back into its original shape, using immense force.
Side Impact Collision
Also known as ‘T-bone collision’, describes the type of auto collision where one vehicle impacts the side of another vehicle, at any angle other than head-on or directly behind. The degree of damage made to a vehicle during this type of crash is also speed and impact-dependent, and often occurs at intersections and parking lots.
The vehicle impacting another is also liable to receive substantial damage depending on the speed and impact. This vehicle’s crumple zones, including the hood, are likely to be impaired, and this can result in damage similar or equal to that of a head on collision.
Head-on Collision
The effects of a head on collision on any involved vehicles can include damage to the front areas of the vehicle, including smashed front lights, a dented front bumper, and a crumpled hood.
A dented front bumper can be fixed by removing said bumper and pushing out the dent, although this may be time consuming compared to the DIY method of using screws to pull out any dents in the plastic.
A crumpled hood can represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of internal vehicular damage. It may be tricky to initially tell what other damage may have occurred further under the hood.
Find The Right Auto Collision Shop
Search for an auto collision repair shop before you need one. This will prevent you from choosing the first option available to you, in a panic, when you need one the most.
Asking your friends and family is a sure-fire way to get a list of auto repair shops for you to research. This will also help you get real reviews from trusted sources.
Check your local auto collision repair shops. Doing so means you can drop in at your convenience and assess the working environment for yourself. From observing how staff treat customers, to checking the legitimacy of the shop. Most auto shops will have any licenses and certificates on full display, so you can have peace of mind that your vehicle will be in trusted, qualified hands.
Once you have found one you like, the next step is to talk money. Service prices may vary greatly throughout different cities and states. Ask for estimated quotes on services and compare them to other auto repair shops around your area.
Once you find an auto collision repair shop that you like, you stick with them. This familiarity creates loyalty, and a good auto mechanic will go above and beyond to get your vehicle back to its original factory standard.
Quality Assured Collision Center has over 200 honest reviews from real customers. Many of our reviews offer real pictures from real customers. You can check out our reviews for yourself here.