Your car ends up in an accident – not totaled, but the body shows some signs of damage. Following this incident, what needs to be replaced and checked out?
Car Seats and Restraints
The NHTSA specifies that any car seat or child restraint system involved in a moderate to severe accident must be replaced.
Although some consider this an expensive inconvenience, there’s a major safety component. Manufacturers create these systems to hold a child in place and redirect energy should an accident occur. The accident, however, may cause unseen damage, preventing the seat from protecting as it is designed to. In worst case scenarios, using the broken car seat may lead to injury or death.
Suspension and Steering Systems
When a frontal collision occurs, this portion receives a significant amount of damage. After the accident, a body shop often finds bent or broken components, which, in turn, affect a vehicle’s performance. Your car might still be able to drive in a straight path, but damaged steering and suspension systems place excessive wear on tires and decrease fuel economy.
Alignment
It’s a no-brainer an accident throws off alignment. As a body shop examines your car, the following may be replaced or fixed:
- Tire rod ends
- The lower A-arm
- The frame
Head and Tail Lights
There’s a strong chance these will need to be replaced or adjusted. When they’re left alone, the light may face the wrong direction, which prevents you from seeing in the dark.
Engine
Although your whole engine likely won’t have to be taken out, front-end collisions result in significant damage. As a result, multiple parts may need to be replaced to prevent risks related to leaking and overheating:
- Radiator
- Radiator fan
- Water hose
- Fluid reservoirs
Rear-End Components
A rear-end collision frequently damages the backside of your vehicle. Some may be superficial, but an auto body shop will check out the following parts to replace or fix:
- Bumper
- Trunk lid
- Back wheels
After a collision, turn to DaSilva for comprehensive auto body repair. Our experienced team covers everything from maintenance and part replacements to paint jobs.
