Based on recent studies, there is an estimated 16 million automobile accidents happening in US every year – including cases which are not reported to the police. With this vast number comes people being injured and properties being damaged. Should you find yourself in this situation, ensure your safety first. Once you are safe, you can then think about your vehicle and the possible outcomes it might face.
What Should You Do to Your Vehicle After a Collision?
Following a collision, here are some options we have for your car:
- Overall replacement
Some vehicles may sustain an enormous damage that may or may not be repairable. However, the value of your car might be cheaper as compared to the cost of its repair. This means that your insurance carrier, if any, might decide that it is better to pay you for your car than to spend on a much expensive restoration of it. If your vehicle poses a 70% damage, then this option will most likely be suitable for your case. With this, your insurance company will provide you with the current amount of your car in the market in replacement of your damaged one.
- Repair of car parts
If your vehicle did not fall on the first option, then this might be your next solution. The primary goal of repairing a wrecked body part on a car is to make it blend perfectly with the rest of the vehicle, looking like no collision has happened and damages were not sustained in the first place. Simply put, the aim is to recreate the broken part and make it seem like a ‘duplicate’ in terms of appearance and quality. However, this demands great skill and effort.
Aside from this, a lot of time is also needed since it follows a very detailed step-by-step process. As a gist, the broken part is reshaped first, then polished with a clay-like material, sanded, painted and then polished once more.
- Car parts replacement
Although repairing car parts is a great option for your vehicle, it might cost you a lot since you are paying for the hourly rate of the worker doing the restoration. So instead, you can choose to replace the broken body panel with another. The replacement, however, need not be brand new. Cars that fell under option number one are usually sold for their parts. Although these also need fixing and repairing, it’s still a lot less work. Repair shops may also try buying a brand new body panel. Many companies are already up in making specialized car parts and putting them on market.
Have you decided what to do with your damaged car? If you need further advice, don’t hesitate to contact a local auto body repair shop near you.
Written by Marc Laferierre, owner of Dents Unlimited. Dents Unlimited offers the best auto body repair Columbia MO has to offer.
