Category: Accident

Major or minor, car accidents in the state of New Jersey must often be reported, according to several laws. Those laws usually include reporting the accident to local, county, or state police agencies, as well as a report on the damages or costs incurred. If you are wondering whether or not you have to report your car accident in New Jersey, keep reading for more information.

 

Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in New Jersey?

If you’re a driver in New Jersey and are involved in a car accident, you’re obligated to report the accident if the situation means the following conditions: the collision resulted in a death or injury of any individual involved, or if the damages exceeded $500. You must report the accident to the local or county police departments or the New Jersey State Police.

 

After the collision, you must also file a written report about the accident. Though it is not legally required to file a claim with your insurance company, your policy may have stipulations about accident reporting. If you fail to notify your insurance company about an accident, they may deny you coverage for the claim.

 

How to Report a Car Accident in New Jersey

While New Jersey statutes do not tell you exactly when to report the accident, it is best to make the report as soon as possible. This could mean calling from your cell phone soon after the accident occurs or using another electronic device. Should you be unable to call by phone, it is best to visit the nearest police department—if the police have not arrived already. If your vehicle is totaled and inoperable, you can always report the accident upon returning home.

 

To file a written accident report, which is also required by law if the accident causes death, injury, or over $500 in damages, you can use the “Self-Reporting Crash” form, which is available from the New Jersey Department of Transportation. This must be done within 10 days of the accident.

The rules for filing a written report are found in section 39:4-130 of the New Jersey Statutes.

Because New Jersey is a “no-fault car insurance” state, you must report a car accident and file a claim in order to get compensation for financial losses and medical bills.

 

What Happens If You Fail to Report a Crash?

Since reporting an accident that caused injury, death, or $500 in damages is compulsory, you do not want to forget. In the event that you fail to report a car accident in a timely manner, you could potentially be fined up to $30 to $102, excluding court costs. Your driver’s license and vehicle registration may also be suspended for a period of time. However, failure to report an accident in NJ is not a points violation.

 

Leaving or Fleeing The Scene

Did you know that leaving the scene of a car accident you were involved in is considered a criminal offense in NJ? Abandoning the accident and failing to check on the other people involved carries a heavy penalty, especially if there were injuries, death, or property damage caused.

When there is property damage in a collision and you flee the scene, you could be convicted for up to 30 days in jail, a fine between $200-$600, and suspension of your driver’s license and registration. Plus, NJ adds 2 points to your driving record.

Was there an injury or death? You could be convicted for 3-5 years in prison, the loss of your driver’s license for 1 year, fines up to $15,000, and 8 points on your driving record. You can also expect up to $600 added to your current insurance rate.

 

Looking For Repairs After an Accident?

When you’re involved in a car accident in New Jersey and meet the stipulations of reporting the accident and making a claim, you’ll probably need repairs to your vehicle. If you’re in the southern New Jersey area, Elmer’s Auto Body can help you with any repairs or bodywork. We have been in business for 70 years and are a family-owned and operated business, so we are prepared to make the services we perform easy, convenient, and fast. We will provide you with the service that gets you and your vehicle up and running in no time. Call us at (856) 218-0202.

Experiencing a fender bender is one of those things that happens to almost anyone who drives. It usually results in limited property damage with no serious injuries. Yes, you can consider a fender bender an accident.

 

What is a Fender Bender?

The term fender bender is a way to describe a minor accident between two vehicles, which involves minor damage to the vehicles with no serious injuries to the drivers or any passengers. You wonder whether you should even involve the police when such an accident occurs.

Minor accidents usually mean actions like rear-end collisions at low speeds or slight bumps from a preoccupied driver or even a parking lot incident where a slight collision occurs. Despite it being a minor accident, a fender bender needs to be dealt with right away. Here are further explanations of what damage a fender bender can cause and what to do about it when one occurs.

 

Is a Fender Bender an Accident?

You usually consider a fender bender a minor car accident since it occurs at a low speed. During a fender bender, the involved vehicles sustain the most damage to their fenders. They may require fender repairs.

Fender Bender Accident Examples

• Someone driving stops suddenly, and a hit occurs from the rear
• Someone driving backs out of a parking space and hits the car behind them
• Someone distracted while driving hits a moving or parked car

 

What to Do In/After a Fender Bender

Even a fender bender can be a jolting experience and unnerving. The first thing to do is move your vehicle to the side of the road and make sure that you and any passengers are free from injuries. You’ll also want to confirm that the other driver and any passengers are safe and uninjured. If there are any injuries because of the accident, call 911 for medical help.

Once everyone involved is safe and secure, call the police. Maybe you think you don’t need to, but you’ll want a report concerning the details of the accident. This gives you the leverage to report the fender bender to the authorities and you get your own copy of the police report.

Also, make sure your vehicle’s doors, hood, and trunk open and close correctly. Lean down and look for any damage underneath your vehicle and look out for leaking fluid and any issues with misalignment.

Another thing of importance is that both parties share their insurance information. You’ll also want to get the other driver’s contact information and other details with their driver’s license, registration, and license plate number. Take pictures of any damage to your car and the other driver’s car. When there are witnesses to the accident, be sure and get their contact information as well.

Contact your vehicle insurance carrier and provide the details of the accident. You can probably upload your pictures from the accident scene. There may be a mobile application that you can use to get evidence to your insurance provider quickly. Make sure your vehicle is drivable before you leave the accident scene. Check for any hidden damage. Also, be sure your brake lights, head and tail lights are working.

 

Hidden Damages of Fender Benders/What Might Happen During Repairs

Fender benders usually equate to rear-end collisions that happen when a vehicle is moving at a slow speed. The car behind you may have been following too close and a sudden stop results in a damaged bumper. With this kind of accident, you may see hidden damage and damages like dents and scratches. What other damages should you be looking for?

Hidden Damage – This could be damage to a vehicle’s frame or mechanical system. It could also be within the electrical system of a vehicle.

Vehicle Frame – A vehicle’s frame is its mainstay. Even a fender-bender can displace the frame and render your vehicle out of alignment. A damaged frame can cause unique problems.

Alignment Problems – Typical indications of alignment problems can include:

• Steering wheel drifts in one direction
• The steering wheel exhibits shaking or wobbling
• Tires show irregular wear
• The vehicle shakes, vibrates, or is noisy

Faulty Latch Mechanisms – The inability of your trunk, hood, and doors to close properly could be related to damage to your vehicle’s frame. Damage to the seals around the doors or trunk could allow moisture in and cause rust and mold damage to the interior.

Suspension problems – With frame damage, you may see wear on your vehicle’s suspension system, which is what regulates and limits the brunt of road conditions and helps a driver to remain in control of their vehicle. The vehicle will suddenly ride rougher, which shows alignment issues and wear on the shocks, struts, or suspension parts.

Electrical System Damage – With the electrical system in your vehicle, you’re dealing with many wires and sensors that, when affected by a minor fender bender, can cause damage to the system. For example, with a collision affecting the rear-end bumper, even a minor accident can affect the sensors in the bumper.

Bumper sensors monitor things like cruise control, blind-spot viewing, and the overall system of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). To determine if your vehicle has electrical system damage, you’ll probably want to pursue a diagnostics test through an auto body shop near me to eliminate the possibility of damage. There can be damage to other electrical system components, such as brake lights, battery connectivity, airbag deployment, and other parts.

Vehicle Mechanics – Rear-end collisions can cause mechanical damage too. Both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive and other transmission parts can sustain damage from a rear-end collision. When your vehicle experiences issues with leaking fluids or has problems with shifting or acceleration, your transmission may have damage.

 

Conclusion

When you have a minor accident or fender bender, you never know what kind of hidden or overt damage you’re dealing with. It’s probably best to take your vehicle to a reputable auto body shop. Elmer’s Auto Body is a tried-and-true family-owned and operated business that has dealt with every kind of vehicle damage. We will assess the issues and give you exceptional service while making it easy, fast, and convenient for you. Call us at (856) 218-0202. Our 70 years of service to the Southern New Jersey area is proof enough of our ability to find the damage and ease your fender bender problems.

If you were just in an accident you, of course, worry from the very beginning about the accident itself and how long any repairs to your vehicle will take. There are many factors that determine the time involved in repairing your vehicle. Maybe you won’t be able to pick an exact time for any repairs to happen and be taken care of, but there are things to consider that help the process along its way. Here are some important influences.

 

Factors Influencing How Long It Takes to Repair a Car

After you’ve been in a collision, your insurance company should assign an adjuster to your claim and the adjuster should give you an estimate on repairs after the collision. Just remember, an estimate is just what it says it is. Costs will probably be considerably more or perhaps less. Take that into consideration with any repair work done to your vehicle.

The factors involved in influencing how long it takes to repair your vehicle can include:

1. Delays in the repair process as you go to pick up your vehicle on the appointed day and find out there is a delay

2. Other cars in line waiting for repairs

3. The extent of damage to your vehicle

4. Your insurance provider’s processing your claim, approving it, and finding a repair shop

5. There may be additional repairs beyond the ones originally found

6. A mechanic may need additional time to finish the job, they may be sick, or could have an emergency in the family and could not get to your vehicle repairs

7. Your insurance provider doesn’t pay the mechanic in a timely manner, so your vehicle remains in the shop until the check gets to the repair shop

8. The vehicle you own (any foreign vehicle, sports car or specialty vehicle parts may take longer for them to receive).

9. You submit your claim to your insurance company and several days may go by until they decide about your claim.

Delays are usually inevitable, and the best way to overcome them is to remain in contact with your insurance provider and the repair shop. Remaining in communication allows you to stay ahead of the situation with your vehicle and helps you deal with any delays.

 

Estimating How Long It Takes to Repair a Car

With a vehicle that has serious damage, it’s difficult to tell exactly how much work is required and how long it will take to repair it. Once the vehicle is down to its bare bones and inspected, it will only be then that body shop experts can determine the time involved in repairing it. When that’s the case, several estimates may be necessary through different body shops. Whether your insurance company adjuster recommends a body shop for their insurance work or you need to think seriously about any other reputable auto body shop near me that can do the work in a reasonable amount of time. Remember, the time to repair your vehicle will coincide with the damage your vehicle sustained.

If you’re simply replacing a bumper, it may take a few days to finish, but if your vehicle requires more intense bodywork, it could take considerably more time. With major work, different parts of your vehicle require removal and this also takes additional time. You want your vehicle to get the repairs it needs before driving it away from a repair center. You certainly don’t want to go back to the repair shop when undetected repairs pop up and you’re out of your car once again.

 

Estimating Average Collision Repair Cost

Estimating the average costs of repair for your vehicle will depend on not only the situation surrounding the damage but other factors. Those costs will revolve around the following.

• The year, make, and model of your vehicle. The parts for newer and more popular models are usually available; however, older or exclusive vehicle parts are harder to come by and require both ordering and searching for those parts.
• A detailed repair is going to be included in the costs. Whether it’s a paint job or more detail work, additional time is necessary to complete the work and cost comes into play with those repairs.
• The labor involved in your repair is also a part of the cost. A mechanic or other technicians work hard to get your vehicle in shape and you compensate them for their efforts. It all adds to the cost of the repairs to your vehicle.
• Collision repair costs can be costly and you’ll need to know what to look for when the costs are high. Even the smallest of accidents can lead to expensive repair costs. You want simple answers on costs, so a little research should provide you with what you need to know about repair costs.
• You also need to understand the full extent of any damage to your vehicle. Many costs are hidden, such as leaky windows and windshields, wire replacement, frame parts, welding of parts, and any other damages that increase repair costs.
• It’s inevitable that classic, foreign, unique styles, custom cars, and other exclusive vehicles are going to take longer to fix. Repairs and parts for these vehicles will take both time and additional money to repair.

Any kind of auto repair is going to take time, particularly when you have extended repairs because of a major accident. Whether you have a major or minor accident, you’ll need the advice and help of a trusted auto body shop and Elmer’s Auto Body in South Jersey is a family-owned and operated business that makes any kind of service convenient and easy for you. Our exceptional service is second to none and our 70 years of service is proof of that. Call us at (856) 218-0202. We will meet all your vehicle needs.

You’re looking at the cost of repairing or replacing a bumper and wondering how much you should expect to pay. Though the design of both front and rear bumpers keeps the rest of a vehicle safe from damage, bumpers are still susceptible to disrepair, especially when hit by another vehicle. So, if there are damages, how much is it going to cost to repair or replace one? Here is some information on bumpers and answers to the repair and replacement costs of them.

 

Actual Damages

The extent of damage to a bumper will determine the cost of repairs or replacement of a bumper. They make most bumper materials today of plastic that contain a steel or aluminum bar for reinforcement. The basic parts include:

•  a structural support system
•  a shock-absorbing foam section and
•  a plastic cover

Damage can affect any of these bumper parts and cause increased expense, particularly if the problem is the structural support system, which can run up repair costs. Any underlying damage can also add to the expense. Other repairs such as replacing a severely damaged bumper, wide cracks and holes, and a bumper that’s ready to fall off require extended repair or replacement.

When minor dents, chips, punctures, and scratches happen, any auto body shop near you can repair those lesser damages fairly easily. Body shop experts have the tools to do the job and they can repaint and color coordinate for an exact match for almost any vehicle. With cracks, holes, and punctures, there will be fill and sanding of the areas. The average cost is between $325 and $425. You can reduce light scratches fairly quickly, but if they are severe enough to cause major paint chipping, the cost can be anywhere from $50 to $600.

 

Costs of Front Bumper Replacement

With a front bumper replacement, the old bumper has to be removed first, and the area inspected for any possible underlying damage and replacement of damaged parts. Total costs will depend on where the vehicle is located, the vehicle, its make or model, the extent of damage, and the amount of labor that goes into the repair. With these factors in mind, replacing a front bumper runs between $500 to $1500 and beyond for usual replacements. In fact, most auto body shop charges range from $48 to $215 per hour. If repairs or replacements are more difficult and extensive, costs could reach around $5000.

Other cars or trucks may cost more for bumper replacement. Smaller cars with inadequate bumper protection that sustain damage from a collision, even at lower speeds, will end up costing more. Not only are bumpers in need of repair, but damages occur with other components. Damages may involve the frame, wheels, grill, and any structural aspects.

 

Costs of Rear Bumper Replacement

With a rear bumper, the damage is usually due to rear-end accidents, and it’s a common occurrence to see minor scratches, dents, and scuffed paint when accidents occur. If the collision involves high speeds, damages will not only hurt the bumper but will affect any other underlying components. With minimal damage, you can expect to pay at least $100, but that figure will depend on again the make, model, and year of a vehicle. More extensive damage amounts to around $2,000 for full bumper replacement.

 

Other Repair Methods

You can repair a bumper through paint-less dent repair or PDR. A body shop will use special tools that pull the dents out of a bumper without damage to the paint. This is a less costly and quicker method of repairing a bumper, but it’s not the best for damage that has gone beyond the surface and ruined both the surface and paint. Unfortunately, PDR isn’t usable with plastic bumpers, as these bumpers will require more than a simple buffing.

 

Savings on Bumper Repairs and Replacement

If you’re looking for ways to save on bumper repairs or replacement, the first thing to do is find a trustworthy body shop. Doing the repairs yourself is risky. You may choose where you take your vehicle even if your insurance company suggests a shop for repair.

Get a few estimates from repair shops. Don’t go with the lowest quoted price, as it doesn’t mean the best in repairs or service.

When you need a replacement bumper and want to save money, consider aftermarket parts as opposed to Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM) parts. They are more affordable. You should weigh the differences and determine what’s best, but you may take a chance on an aftermarket part.

 

Know You Insurance Deductible

With minor damage to a bumper, any repair costs may be significantly lower than the deductible you have with your insurance company. If this is the case, you can pay for the repairs outright. You’ll also avoid an insurance claim that could raise your rates.

 

Fault in a Bumper Collision

When you’re at fault in a bumper collision, check what coverage you have with your insurance company and determine what choices you have. With collision coverage, you will be out for damages to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle. With no collision coverage, it’s your responsibility to pay for all repairs.

If the accident wasn’t your fault, you can get in touch with the other driver’s insurance company and claim either the cost for any bumper repairs or full replacement. The auto body shop will arrange for the repairs between the insurance company and the others concerned. They will take care of any damage and do it in a stress-free manner.

Once the auto body shop coordinates the bumper repair or replacement with your insurance company, they will order the parts. The insurance company usually has the last word, whether they will use OEM or aftermarket parts in the repair or replacement process. Once the vehicle is ready, the bumper will be ready for removal and disengagement from all its component systems, such as sensors, lights, and warning systems.

When you’re having trouble deciding what to do about a damaged bumper and the cost of repairing or replacing it, call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. They’ll give you honest answers and provide experienced and expert care for your damaged bumper.

 

Whether you get into a mild fender bender or are involved in a serious car wreck, your vehicle needs the attention of specially trained professionals to get the damage repaired. That’s why it’s best to take your vehicle to an auto body collision repair specialist.

This specialist is trained in every step of the process of repairing a vehicle regardless of the extent of the damage. A reliable auto body collision repair specialist understands the importance of performing thorough work during every step to get the best end result.

Discover the specifics of what an auto body collision specialist does and how this professional can get your vehicle back into excellent condition.

 

Assess the Repair Project

Before any of the physical repair work begins this professional will go over the damage report and costs with you. The auto body collision repair specialist makes sure you know what work needs to be done to get your vehicle back into shape. All of the planned repair work and estimates should be put into writing so there are no surprises after the work is done. You and the auto body collision repair specialist will refer to this written document as you check over the finished work later on.

 

Remove the Damaged Parts of the Vehicle

The first step in the physical repair work is to remove the damaged parts of the vehicle. This is usually done with pneumatic tools and guns designed to cut metal. The type and amount of parts removed depend on the specific damage done to a vehicle. One vehicle may have a damaged fender while another may have a smashed front end along with a cracked windshield. This is why it’s so important to map out exactly what repairs will be accomplished before starting the project.

 

Realignment Work

Once the damaged parts are removed, the auto body collision repair specialist shifts their focus to the structural damage done to the vehicle. This involves realigning the vehicle’s frame and repairing damage there. A hydraulic system designed for heavy work is often used in realignment. Not surprisingly, the force and intensity of a wreck can affect the fundamental structure of the vehicle. So, realigning the frame is an important part of the work of an auto body collision repair specialist.

 

Evens Out Minor Damage

Special tools help this professional to remove minor damage to the body of the vehicle. This includes removing dents and dimples in the frame. The goal is to make the structure of the vehicle as solid as possible before installing the new parts.

 

Attach the Proper Replacement Parts

Early in the process, the proper replacement parts were ordered for the repair work and now need to be installed. An auto body collision repair specialist fits the parts onto the vehicle, then welds them to the body.

 

Install Replacement Windows and/or Windshield

If a vehicle has damaged windows, a damaged windshield, or both, new ones are installed. They are weatherproofed with a chemical solution to ensure they are equal in quality to the vehicle’s previous windows.

 

Sand Surfaces

This step in the process involves grinding, sanding, and priming areas that have been repaired. This is done with professional, heavy-duty grinding and sanding equipment.

 

Paint the Restored Area of the Vehicle

Applying paint to the restored areas of the vehicle is another responsibility of the auto body collision repair specialist. The paint color must be matched to the rest of the vehicle beforehand, so it looks uniform. This involves checking with the vehicle’s manufacturer to find the shade of color originally applied at the factory.

 

Our Expert Team Stands Ready to Repair Your Vehicle

Elmer’s Auto Body has been serving customers in New Jersey since 1947. We are a family-owned business dedicated to providing our customers with expert, reliable service. We handle all aspects of collision repair to make the process more convenient for our customers. Our auto collision repair specialists are trained and experienced with the most modern tools to do the work properly.

Our team understands that being in a vehicle wreck is stressful enough. That’s why we do all we can to make the damage repair process as easy as possible.

So, are you wondering: Is there an Elmer’s Auto Body Shop near me? The answer is yes! We have several locations in New Jersey. Check the locations tab on our website and you’re sure to find a location near you.

Call us at 856-218-0202 today and let our team get you and your vehicle back onto the road!