What Should You Expect Following A Front-End Collision?

While no two car accidents are perfectly alike, many share some similarities. Front-end collisions can be especially damaging, even if you're fortunate enough to walk away with no injuries. Hitting another vehicle or an object head-on can result in significant damage to your car, although the situation can sometimes look worse than it is.

While you should never try to assess the damage on your own, this article will help you understand a few of the ways a front-end impact might affect your car. Keep reading to learn about some of the most repairs necessary following these collisions.

Bumper Damage

If you drive a car manufactured in the last several decades, your "bumper" is little more than a cosmetic body piece. This cover sits on top of the mechanisms that absorb damage during an impact. In most cases, these include a "soft" material that absorbs energy along with a rigid mounting mechanism. Minor front-end impacts can crack or scratch the cover without affecting the material below.

However, you shouldn't ignore bumper damage that doesn't seem significant. A collision shop will check the condition of the components underneath your bumper to ensure they remain in good condition. Problems here can compromise your vehicle's ability to withstand accidents in the future, so you'll need a qualified technician to conduct a thorough evaluation.

Cooling System Problems

Vehicle manufacturers keep coolant temperatures under control by placing the radiator on the front of the car. This placement provides fresh air for the heat exchange process and keeping your engine from overheating. Damage to the front end of your vehicle can impact your radiator, cooling hoses, or other nearby parts of the cooling system.

As a result, you should never drive your car after an accident if you notice fluid on the ground. Fluid leaks may be coming from your cooling system, oil pan, transmission, or other critical components. Always have your car towed from the accident scene and carefully checked by a collision shop to avoid causing even more severe damage.

Electronic Failures

Most cars have many vital electrical and electronic components on the front end, including headlights and sensors. Damage to these parts can often be costly, and failed sensors can prevent your engine from operating correctly. You may not notice these problems immediately, and your car may even seem to run fine aside from a check engine light and some stored error codes.

Because these problems can pose safety hazards or prevent your car from operating correctly, you should never assume that there isn't hidden damage following an accident. A collision repair shop will evaluate your vehicle for cosmetic, mechanical, and electronic damage, helping you get back on the road as soon as possible.

For more information, contact a local repair shop, like Exoticar Paintworks Inc.

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