When Should You Get Your Car Professionally Repaired After an Accident?

You should get professional car repairs done very quickly if an accident occurred. It’s not just if you get a nice scrape on your car door. If you’re facing a light on dashboard, a fluid leak, steering or braking failure, damaged lights, wheel alignment issue or even suspected damaged body parts, it’s important to take the car to a mechanic straight away to have the vehicle checked properly. Don’t forget that there can be invisible damage on a vehicle and only after driving the car you will notice it through an accident. A professional auto body shop is capable of inspecting your car’s condition, detecting a problem that you don’t even imagine, giving a cost estimate and fixing the problem.

Quick Answer: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I get the car repaired as soon as the accident happens?

Absolutely. You must arrange a professional diagnostic check immediately after the accident. Some of the damage caused after an accident can remain hidden, and if you keep on driving the car, it might make the situation worse.

2. When there is only minor collision damage, can I still drive the car?

You may drive the car only if the brakes, steering, tires, suspension, lights, airbags, or fluids are in perfect condition and the car is safe and the vehicle is roadworthy. If you have a problem with these components you should not take the car anywhere and immediately arrange towing.

3. If there is a minor scratch, do I still get my car checked?

If the damage is a minor one, there is no need for emergency mechanic repair work, but still, you can benefit from getting your car looked at by a mechanic. You can’t be sure that everything behind the bumper or panels is okay.

4. What are the symptoms of my car being the victim of an accident and having hidden damage?

Hanging lights indicating that a particular light is on constantly, strange noises, dripping of fluids, the car pulling you towards one side while driving, the change in the steering wheel or the sensation that the steering wheel is vibrating, the wheels are being unevenly worn out, or body panels showing signs of being separated may all be a clear indication of the existence of a serious but well-concealed accident damage.

5. Which shop should my car be taken to if there is collision damage that might need fixing?

Take your car to a professional auto body or collision shop. These specialized places can diagnose both the outer and inner damage and carry out mechanical repairs, bodywork, safety repairs, and wheel alignment.

Why Professional Accident Repair Matters

An accident may not just involve the bumper, hood, doors, or fenders. Modern cars are equipped with sensors, cameras, airbags, electronic components, crumple zones, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

A vehicle can therefore be visually intact yet still have hidden problems.

In some cases, the damage to the front bumper might have been a result of an accident, and it has also been affected by the following:

Parking sensors
Radar or camera systems
Headlights
Radiator and cooling equipment
Front reinforcement components
Wheel alignment
Suspension components
Wiring and electrical connections

Only professional examination can verify that the car is really safe to run and figure out the necessary fixes.

Indications Your Car Requiring Professional Repair Post Accident

In certain cases, one has to be quick in handling matters instead of just keeping an eye on the condition of the vehicle.

1. Your airbags have been deployed or are activated.

It’s not only the deployment of a visible airbag that should make you seek immediate professional attention. Many components are involved in an airbag’s deployment, the sensors and other parts of the restraint system being among them. So you need to have a comprehensive inspection and repair done by qualified personnel at an authorized service center.

Be careful, because if only the visible airbag is changed and nothing else is done, it can lead to dangerous situations later on.

We highly advise against trying to “fix-it yourself” with just the airbag replacement.

2. There has been a Sudden Car Pull to a Side

This car steering issue may be linked to one of the parts that have been damaged during an accident.

Symptoms of an Offside Drifty

If the car suddenly pulls to a side, left or right, just after the incident, this may suggest that the accident had an effect on the alignment, steering, suspension, wheel, or tire.

A certified auto repair shop can determine the problem.

3. Fluids Start to Leak from the Car

You should not be dismissive of a fluid leak under the car following a collision. It could be a coolant hose that is torn, a power steering pipe that is broken, a fuel tank that has been breached, or a transmission seal that is damaged. In these cases, the car cannot be driven safely and therefore must be towed to a workshop as soon as possible.

Possible damages include

Engine elements
The automatic or manual transmission
Coolant system
Brake mechanism
Hydraulic steering system

If you are uncertain whether the liquid is harmful, be sure not to proceed on your journey but to get the car professionally tested first.

4. Different Warning Lights on the Dashboard

The car’s onboard computer detects the most minor of problems, from something as simple as a loose gas cap up to a major system fault in the engine that could result in your car failing to start again. After an accident, the dashboard may light up with several different warning and error messages.

To get the right diagnosis and solution, you may want to take your car to a professional repair shop that has the ability to scan the relevant systems of your vehicle and figure out, among other things, the root causes of the errors. The workshop can also suggest or execute the necessary fixes based on the scan.

5. The Brakes or Steering Feel is Changed.

Any variation in the steering or brake response as well as the vibration from the car is a serious warning that requires expert attention. You may also see the warning light in the case a sensor is defective, e.g., for a speed-sensitive brake pedal, which only becomes active if the sensor is working.

Don’t be misled even if the car still looks okay on the outside that these symptoms might not be significant enough as to warrant a check.

6. Tires and Wheels Get Damaged

The damage can be to the wheels, tires, etc., suspension parts, or wheel alignment by an incident where the vehicle is hit from the side or the front or the vehicle swerves into an obstacle, curb, or another vehicle and is stopped suddenly, resulting in the tires bursting the car. The vehicle may be able to continue its road travel, but it may be very dangerous.

What If the Damage Seems to Only Be Cosmetic?

No two-car accidents are exactly the same, with some requiring major repair while others can be fixed in hours or even minutes. Minor damage, such as a tiny dent, scrape, or scratch, may at first glance seem harmless to the extent that even the owner of the car may disregard it. However, an inspection done by a professional would be very useful in such situations, as it may discover hidden damage or faults that are not readily evident from the outside looking in.

Professional Accident Repair Process

In the case of an accident, a typical repair process will include a number of steps.

Step 1: A Visual Inspection

The repair shop is the one to look at the vehicle to check the damage as well as problems that aren’t so obvious.

A technician may inspect the following items:

Car body covers
Car bumpers
Car lights
Wheels and tires
Pan Suspension
Directional System
Brake System
Liquid Supply System
Power Elements System
Protective Systems

Step 2: Determination of Reparability

The mechanic evaluates which parts need to be fixed and which may have to be bought anew.

The mentioned parts can be mended without problems, while it is highly recommended to get a new part if the part is related to safety and at the same time is in a damaged state.

Step 3: Repair Estimate

The body shop creates an estimate by including the cost of labor, parts, paint, refinishing, calibration, and other services that go hand in hand in fixing the vehicle.

If a situation with insurance is involved, the repair estimate can sometimes form part of the claim documents.

Step 4: Repainting

In cases of collision, the work performed may go from dent repairs to full-on panel change, bumper repairs, bumper replacement, car-frame-related repairs, painting, and painting matching.

Step 5: Mechanical and Safety Repairs

If there is mechanical damage or problems with the safety systems as a result of the crash, then the technicians will fix these issues and make sure that the car is fit enough for you to drive.

Step 6: Calibration and Final Inspection

If the vehicle is fitted with cameras, radar, or parking sensors, it may require a proper inspection or calibration post crash repair.

The final inspection is the quality check that ensures all work carried out has been in accordance with repair industry standards.

Local Example: Accident Repair in Edmonton

Picture the driver of a vehicle that gets into a rear-end collision accident in Edmonton, Alberta.

There might only be a minor dent on the vehicle at the point of impact, and visually it may look very minor, but the collision’s force might cause damage to parking sensors, bumper mounts, the trunk area, and components beneath the bumper.

Rather than relying on visual inspection, the person should take the vehicle to a certified collision center to do an assessment.

In the same way, a side-impact accident that happens in Mill Woods, South Edmonton, or North Edmonton can only cause a door damage to be noticeable while also causing damage to hinges, side framework, glass, wiring, and safety systems.

How much and which part of the car needs to be repaired is a matter of the damage on the vehicle and the strength of the impact.

When Should You Avoid Driving the Car?

Never think that the fact that your engine started means that the car is ready to be driven.

If your vehicle suffers any of these conditions, you may need to request towing services or a professional car service:

Brakes do not work correctly.
If steering seems to be out of control.
A tire has been damaged, or it is losing air.
One of the wheels is obviously bent.
A vehicle is severely leaking its operating liquid.
One of the car’s airbags was deployed by the system.
The vehicle’s structure has been largely damaged.
Headlights or brake lights are out of order or not working at all.
The car produces very different sounds, such as grinding, knocking, or scraping.
When the car cannot go a straight way.
If the indicators of danger pop up after impact with the surroundings.

It’s highly recommended to check with a certified technician before attempting any car fixes.

How soon after the incident should you call a mechanic?

Since each crash is a unique event, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to a repair schedule. Nevertheless, you should not delay a diagnostic for too long.

If you have just a superficial scratch, getting the car checked right away will give you a clear picture and may save you further costs.

A breakdown in one of your safety systems should be addressed ASAP by arranging an inspection and repair session.

If the auto is unsafe for driving, you ought to have it carried to a fitting repair station instead of driving it there.

Accident Repair versus Insurance Claim

If you intend to file an insurance claim, it is good practice to preserve the records of an accident and its resulting physical damage before the commencement of auto repair.

The best way of providing proper evidence includes the following:

Photos of your vehicle taken from different angles.
A picture of where the accident happened.
The photo of the other vehicle taken from the side it crashed with.
The collision date, time, and location.
The details of the insurance companies involved.
Police or incident reports (when applicable)
Estimates from the repair shops.
Communication letters related to the insurer.

The company might set their own way to deal with reporting and evaluating a wrecked car. You ought to do as your policy tells you.

Selecting an Authorized Body Shop for Collision Repair

A few points may be useful for you before choosing the shop:

Know-how

Finding mechanics that are qualified for collision work on models similar to your car will be a good move.

Equipment for detecting and diagnosing

Some repair works nowadays involve checking and adjusting sensors, etc. So that the car will work correctly and safely, which, in addition to just fixing the body, is usually needed.

Damage and Repair Details

Make sure you ask the mechanic to give you a thorough breakdown of what’s wrong with the car, what needs to be repaired, what parts should be replaced, how the labor is going to be done, and any extra services they might recommend.

Security

Mechanical and structural repairs should be handled by the best collision repair team in your area, who can make sure that after the accident your vehicle becomes as safe as it was in its prime before. It is a big mistake to think you can fix a car by just painting over it.

Keeping Records

Ask them to give you a breakdown of the repair and the cost for each item and keep copies of all the work orders and receipts.

Your car may not show signs of damage from an accident, but it’s still important to get a pro to check it out.

Have your vehicle professionally looked after after an accident even when the damage from the incident is very little. In fact, professional car repair services can detect hidden body damage, mechanical, electrical, alignment, or safety-system issues that will take some time to make themselves noticeable.

Should an airbag get deployed, leaks show up, steering or brakes do not perform, wheels and tires are damaged, warning lights appear on, or substantial body damage occurs, professional evaluation should be arranged right away so that a potentially unsafe vehicle is not driven.