Being in a car accident is never a fun experience. In addition to the physical and emotional trauma, there’s also the matter of repairing the damage to your vehicle. Depending on the severity of the accident, that damage can range from a few scratches and dents to something much more serious. This blog post will look at some of the most common types of damage caused by car accidents and what you can do to fix them.
Engine Damage.
Engine damage is one of the most serious damage that cars can sustain in accidents. It’s usually caused by either an impact on the front or back of the vehicle (which can cause the engine mounts to break) or fluids leaking into the engine (which can cause seizures). Engine damage is costly to repair and should only be done by a professional.
Dents and Dings.
One of the most common types of damage caused by car accidents is dents and dings. These usually occur when another vehicle hits your car, or when you accidentally hit something like a guardrail or mailbox. Dents and dings can usually be fixed fairly easily and inexpensively by taking your car to a nearby body shop. The shop will use a variety of tools to remove the dent or ding without damaging the rest of your car’s finish.
Dented Fenders.
One of the most common things that happen during a car accident is that the fenders become dented. Fenders are designed to crumple on impact, which helps absorb some of the force from the collision and protect you and your passengers. However, this crumpling often leaves behind unsightly dents. If the dents are minor, you may be able to remove them yourself using a plunger or a vacuum cleaner. For bigger dents, you’ll likely need to take your car to a body shop.
Cracked Windshields.
Another common damage from car accidents is cracked windshields. A cracked windshield can impair your vision while driving and make your car more vulnerable to further damage in future accidents. You’ll need to get your windshield replaced as soon as possible after an accident. You can do this yourself if you have the right materials and tools, but we recommend leaving it to the professionals.
Airbag Replacement.
Depending on the severity of the accident, you may also need to replace one or more airbags. Airbags are designed to deploy on impact and help protect you from being ejected from the vehicle or hitting objects inside the vehicle. If an airbag deploys during an accident, it needs to be replaced because it can’t be reused. Replacing an airbag can be expensive, so it’s important to have good auto insurance coverage.
Scratches
Scratches are another common type of damage caused by car accidents. They can be caused by hitting another vehicle, or by hitting something like a tree branch or fence post. Scratches can be small and barely noticeable, or they can be large and very deep. Most scratches can be fixed by taking your car to a body shop, where they will use a special buffing compound to remove the scratch without damaging the rest of your paint job.
Cracks and Chips
Cracks and chips are usually caused by flying debris striking your windshield or windows. They can also be caused by hitting another vehicle or object with your car. Cracks and chips can range from being small and barely noticeable to being large and spanning the entire windshield. Small cracks and chips can often be fixed by taking your car to a nearby glass repair shop. However, large cracks and chips will usually require replacing the entire windshield or window.
Broken Mirrors.
Broken mirrors are another common type of damage that cars sustain in accidents. They’re usually caused by other cars bumping into yours, but they can also be caused by flying debris. Mirrors can be fairly easy to replace yourself; if you’re not sure how, there are plenty of “how-to” videos on YouTube that can walk you through the process step-by-step.
Flat Tires.
Flat tires are another common type of damage that cars sustain in accidents. They’re usually caused by running over something sharp, like a nail or a piece of glass. If you have a spare tire in your trunk, then you should be able to change the tire yourself; if not, then you’ll have to call a tow truck or AAA for help.
As you can see, there are a variety of different types of damage that can be caused by car accidents. While some of this damage (such as dents and dings) can be easily repaired, other types of damage (such as cracked windshields) may require more extensive repairs. If you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to have your vehicle checked out by a professional car detailing company in Tampa as soon as possible so that any necessary repairs can be made in a timely manner.