Category: Accident

There are potholes on most roads and nowadays, they are very hard to avoid! Depending on the size of the pothole and at what speed your car hit it, a pothole does have the ability to damage your car and cause your car not to work in crucial ways. Knowing the signs of pothole damage will help you keep your vehicle safe when on the road.

 

What Is A Pothole?

Potholes are unplanned dips or holes that are in the road that has been created by erosion. Potholes can be very damaging to vehicles, especially if they are deep. A pothole is created when water enters a crack within the pavement, which then softens the tarmac. It is common for potholes to increase over the winter months due to ice, snow, and heavy weather conditions. It is always best to check your vehicle if it has hit a pothole suddenly and the car has felt the knock quite badly.

 

Signs Of Pothole Damage On Your Vehicle

• Flat Tires
• Structure Damage
• Leaks
• Scrapes
• The Vehicle Pulls To One Side
• Different Exhaust Noises
• Bulging
• The Rims Are Bent
• The Car Can Not Stay Steady
• The Wheel Begins To Shake

 

Flat Tires

The first sign that you have hit a pothole and you have caused damage to the vehicle will be the tires. The tires will show the damage as that is what hit the pothole and took most of the brute force. A tire may instantly go flat or it may take a while for the damage to truly show. It is best to park up after hitting a pothole and check your tires immediately. If you do need to purchase a replacement tire, contact one of our auto body repair shop in South Jersey.

 

Structure Damage

One of the most common parts of the car to be damaged after hitting a pothole is the steering and suspension systems. The suspension arm and tie rods could easily break after hitting a large pothole. The way to check if these parts are broken is to attempt a corner jounce test. Pay attention to how your car feels and if it feels slightly different then contact a professional to make sure your car is safe for the road.

 

Leaks

If you heard your vehicle being scrapped or heard a general scraping sound when you hit the pothole, this may mean that there is a leak to follow. If your car has been scraped underneath, this could allow water or salt to enter different areas causing large issues with the vehicle.

 

The Vehicle Pulls To One Side

Aim to try to drive the vehicle in one straight line after you have hit a pothole. If the vehicle pulls to one side while you are driving this could be a sign of a problem, that could even be linked to the break or steering. The pothole may have even affected the wheel alignment which could cause issues with your car and may even mean that your car is not safe to drive. If you believe that the wheel alignment has altered then call our auto body repair shop in South Jersey.

 

Different Exhaust Noises

The way your car feels when you are driving it is the biggest tell sign that there may be something wrong with your vehicle. Make sure that you pay attention to the way your car feels but also the noises it makes. If you hear exhaust noises that sound strange or different, this could mean that hitting a pothole has caused a problem with the exhaust system.

 

Bulging

Once you have hit a pothole, aim to pull the car over and park so that you can exit the vehicle safely and inspect the tires. If the tires are starting to bulge at the sidewalls this is a sign of damage. Any kind of bulging in the sidewalls should be seen and repaired before you drive further. If your tire is bulging, it is a sign that the air in the tire is escaping.

 

The Rims Are Bent

One of the easiest ways to tell if a pothole has caused damage to your car is if the rims are bent. Most rims on modern-day cars are made with a metal called aluminum. Aluminum is a type of metal that can bend if it is forced. Bent rims are more of a cosmetic issue than a safety issue but it may suggest that you might have further damage to the vehicle caused by the pothole.

 

The Car Can Not Stay Steady

If the car starts to bounce while you are driving, this could be a sign that it is damaged and you will need to pull the vehicle over. If the vehicle is making swaying or bouncing movements it may be a sign there is a problem with the suspension.

 

The Wheel Begins To Shake

If the steering wheel is shaking or vibrating, this is a sign that the pothole you hit may have caused damage. If you do find that your steering wheel is affected after hitting a pothole, it could mean that a component within the steering has now stopped working. If you would like a consultation, call our auto body repair shop in South Jersey.

 

Contact Elmer’s Auto Body To Repair Pothole Damage

If you have noticed a change in your car after hitting a pothole call in at Elmer’s Auto Body today. Our teams in South Jersey are ready to repair your vehicle and get it back to its original form. Schedule your consultation by calling (856) 218-0202 or filling out the contact form.

Whether you’re dealing with damage to your vehicle by yourself or need to file an insurance claim, you need to stick to a strict deadline. Whatever you do, make sure to bring the vehicle into a repair shop for an inspection. You never want to drive a damaged car down the road. After that, you should work to get your vehicle repaired in a timely manner. Let’s look at a few things you should know about fixing your vehicle after an accident.

 

The Deadline To Fix a Damaged Car

This answer will depend on your insurance company. Companies will have guidelines regarding reporting and using the policy coverage after an accident. In most cases, you must contact your insurance company immediately after an accident. The sooner you start the process, the better the results. With that, your vehicle will be repaired and back on the road. Plus, you can also remember all those details of the crash. Once the insurance company has been contacted, a claims adjuster will walk you through the rest of the process, including explaining any deadlines for using your insurance coverage.

 

What To Do With the Insurance Money?

If you have minor damage, you might be tempted to forgo those repairs and use the insurance money for other things. Whether you own the vehicle or not, you might be able to keep the money legally. For anyone making payments on the car, the lender is technically the owner of the vehicle. Those companies have a vested interest in retaining the vehicle’s value. In most cases, you must have it repaired after an accident. However, if you outright own your vehicle, then you are free to use the insurance money for other purposes. Most people will want to repair their vehicle and take the insurance money to get it fixed.

 

Can I Drive My Car After an Accident?

If your car is still operational after an accident, you may want to continue to drive it. While minor dents and dings will not affect the safety features, you must bring the car to a reputable shop. Some types of damage will affect the safety components, making driving your vehicle illegal. These types of damages include:

• Hoods, trunks, and doors that do not latch
• Cracks in windshields that impair or obstruct your vision
• Missing bumpers
• Sharp or jagged edges on the frame
• Damage that threatens the integrity of the gas tank, engine, or structure

 

Timeline To Repair a Vehicle

Many factors will determine the timeline to fix a car. The location of the damage, the severity of the impact, and the vehicle’s make and model play a part in this timeline. Sometimes, a broken windshield can be replaced in a day, while extensive frame damage could take weeks to months to repair. Plus, if the parts are not easily accessible, it can take longer for the shop to fix your vehicle. When you work with a reputable repair shop, they will take the time to give you an accurate estimate. With that, you can have a general guideline for the repairs. Remember that there is always the chance for a complication that can add to the project’s timeline.

 

Should I DIY Those Repairs?

After watching a few videos, you might think you are ready to tackle those simple car repairs. However, resist the urge to save a few dollars and take the vehicle to a reliable, trained auto body shop. These technicians use specialized equipment and understand the latest manufacturer-recommended standards to repair your car.

The technicians understand how to fix most types of damage. It is not uncommon for the shop to find additional damage after inspecting the car. When you leave your vehicle at the shop, you can have confidence that they will complete the proper repairs without any problems.

 

The Timeline for Work

Remember that different insurance companies will have their own requirements and policies regarding the timeline to fix your vehicle. You should never wait to repair the car. Damaged cars are just unsafe on the road. If you happen to be involved in another accident, you could compromise those safety components. In some situations, waiting can cause additional damage to your vehicle and cost you more money in repairs.

After an accident, always report it to the insurance company and file a claim. Once a claims adjuster has been assigned to your case, you can determine the exact deadline to get your car fixed. Ultimately, you just want to get your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition.

 

Contact a Professional Auto Body Shop

After an accident, you want to choose the right body shop to repair your vehicle. Elmer’s Auto Body is one of the most trusted shops in South Jersey. Our team of certified technicians will inspect your vehicle and provide you with a detailed estimate. Along with that, we have a working relationship with the top insurance companies in the state. We will help you through the entire claims process. Our team wants to get your vehicle back on the road as conveniently and quickly as possible.

It is a frustrating process after an accident, but you don’t want to delay. With those pressing questions, you can turn to us. Trust our experienced team at Elmer’s Auto Body. We will work to restore your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition. Your satisfaction is our top priority. Schedule an appointment by calling us at (856) 218-0202.

Being rear-ended by another car is a constant danger on the highways of the world. There are always vehicles behind you, and there is always the chance that one of them could fail to stop in time. Luckily, these kinds of collisions tend to be a lot less damaging than head-on collisions, but that isn’t saying much. A rear-end collision can still cause significant damage, especially if the impact occurred at a high rate of speed. If you should find yourself in that situation, here are a few things that you should remember. This will explain what to do when you have been rear-ended.

 

1. Get Off The Road And Make Contact

Your first priority should be getting off the road. At the same time, observe the car that hit you. They should be doing the same. If it looks like they aren’t going to pull over, make sure you get a good look at their license plate. Repeat that combination of letters and numbers to yourself until you can find a way to write it down. If nothing else, you can use the “notes” feature on your phone. If they try to drive off, they are guilty of a serious crime.

Once off the road, make contact with the other driver. This might not be a friendly situation, but it has to be done. Try not to get hostile, even if it was completely the other driver’s fault: Even if you might be justified, no good will come of that. Just try to remember that they have already pulled over and taken responsibility for their mistake. Obviously, if you or the other driver have been injured, you need to call 911 immediately.

 

2. Call The Police

Either you or the other driver will need to call the police so that a properly certified accident report can be made. This is very important because your insurance company will want a copy of that police report later. Make sure to ask the officer where, when, and how you can obtain a copy of that police report.

When you tell the officer what happened, just be completely truthful and make sure the other driver does the same. Some people will try to lie their way out of culpability, so don’t let anyone get away with that. If nothing else, there might be camera footage that can be pulled in the event of a dispute. The important thing is to make sure you are nothing but truthful at all times. Anything else will simply discredit you.

 

3. Take Plenty Of Pictures

Everyone carries a smartphone these days and tends to have high-quality cameras. Therefore, there is no excuse for not taking plenty of pictures. You particularly need pictures of the damage that occurred from the accident. Get pictures of all involved vehicles from as many angles as you can, focusing on the areas that suffered the impact. This is likely to help you later on, should a dispute about blame arise.

As for when you should take these pictures, it would probably be best to take them immediately after calling the police. You are going to be waiting for at least a few minutes anyway, so you might as well put that time to good use. Besides, it gives you something to do and takes away from the awkwardness of the situation.

 

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

At the earliest possible opportunity, you should call your insurance company and let them know what has happened. Bear in mind that the call will surely be recorded and that it will surely be reviewed later. So, make sure there are no inconsistencies between what you told the officer and what you tell your insurance company. Again, the important thing is to be completely and consistently truthful. Even if the whole thing is your fault, it will be easier on you in the long run.

It would probably be best to contact your insurance company immediately after the police officer has left. If the accident occurred after-hours, call them early the next morning.

 

Avoiding Rear-End Collisions

You might remember a concept from your old driving manual called “the space cushion.” This is a certain amount of space that must be maintained at all times. Basically, it just means that you should avoid getting too close to other vehicles as much as possible. That way, you will have more time to stop if necessary. Since it is hard to judge exact distances while driving, it is best to maintain a space that is about the same size as your vehicle. Maintaining this space in the front and back will help you to avoid rear-end collisions.

Awareness is also very important. Brake lights and turn signals exist for a reason, so keep your eye on them. This includes keeping an eye on your own brake lights/turn signals and making sure they work properly. When the car in front of you is braking, you probably need to do the same. When you do so, you should brake as gradually as possible. If you slam on the brakes and stop very quickly, the car behind you might not react quickly enough.

 

Conclusion

If you have been paying attention, you should now know what to do if you are rear-ended. However, there is one aspect that has not been discussed, and that is auto repair. You will probably need the services of a good auto body shop, and that’s where Elmer’s Auto Body can be of help. If you need post-collision auto repair or any other kind of automotive work, you can call our team at (856) 218-0202.

Door damage is, unfortunately, very common. As the main point of access, doors represent one of the weaker parts of an automobile. However, they are certainly much easier (and cheaper) to repair than critical running parts like an engine or transmission.

 

The Damage Matters A Lot

When we come to the subject of cost, the biggest determining factor (by far) will be the extent of the damage. If you’re just talking about a dent or two, you will get off relatively cheap. If entire components of the door need replacing, you’re talking about a much higher bill. In the end, it’s a lot like any other auto repair: The cost is determined by the time and materials required.

 

Average Figures

Although costs will vary a lot, most sources give an average figure of $500-$2500. This isn’t a bad place to begin, but we need to get a little more specific here. Since the majority of door damage will take the form of dents and dings, let’s look at average costs for the repair of such damage. So, how much will your car door dent repair cost?

Let’s start with these estimates from Chase Bank. They use these kinds of estimates for insurance and liability purposes, so they are likely to be pretty accurate. Like our previous source, they give us a maximum figure of $2500. However, their minimum figure is much smaller, at $50. Thus, if you’re only talking about a tiny little ding, the cost will be minimal.

This article from CarRoar gives us a different kind of estimate. This one says that the baseline cost will be anywhere from $100-$500. However, that range only applies to a 1-inch dent. The cost will go up by roughly $30 per inch.

This brings us to another important point: Many repair shops charge by the inch. A larger dent simply takes more time and effort to repair. It may also require specialized tools that are not cheap. So, the larger the dent, the more money you will have to pay.

We can see that these estimates vary a lot, but it is safe to say that $100 is a minimum figure for a small dent. If the dent isn’t larger than an inch, $500 would probably be a good maximum figure. For larger dents, $500-$2500 would be the norm. Needless to say, the higher end of that range would be reserved for cases with particularly large dents and/or multiple dents.

 

Will Your Insurance Cover The Cost Of Car Door Dent Repair?

That depends on your insurance policy. If you simply have a basic, bare-minimum kind of policy, these repairs are not likely to be covered. If you have full coverage (technically known as comprehensive and collision insurance), these repairs will probably be covered.

Of course, you should look at your policy before assuming this to be true. In many cases, insurance policies will have specific qualifications. For instance, most insurance companies will cover damage from falling objects, since that is clearly not the fault of the driver. On the other hand, damage that is considered to be the fault of the driver may not be covered.

 

Paint Costs

In many cases, a car door dent will also damage the paint job. However, there is a process known as “paintless” dent repair. Using specialized tools, it is usually possible to repair a dent without damaging the paint. However, dents that are particularly large and deep will probably have serious damage. Once the paint starts to flake off, it has to be repainted. This will often mean repainting the entire door, which will definitely add to the repair bill. This article estimates the cost of a complete door repainting job as $300-$1000.

That being said, it may be possible to “spot-paint”, meaning that the whole door will not have to be repainted. However, it is very difficult to match colors and finishes in such a way as to be exact. However, if you are on a tight budget, this is one option to consider. It probably won’t be perfect, but it is definitely going to be a lot cheaper.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Car Door?

Some of you might be wondering: “What if my car door has more serious damage? What if it isn’t just dents and dings?” When that is the case, you might want to consider replacing the entire door. Sometimes, that can actually be cheaper than repair. Once again, it all depends on the extent of the damage.

So, how much does it cost (on average) to replace a car door? About $500-$2500. As you can see, it has the exact same range as the cost of repair. Thus, it all depends on where your needs fall within that spectrum. Sometimes, you can save money by replacing the whole thing.

 

Conclusion

How much does it cost to repair a door ding? Anywhere from $50-$500, depending on the severity of the damage. How much does it cost to repair more extensive damage? Again, depending on the severity, those repairs will range from about $500-$2500. If you have any questions, or if you need a more exact estimate, feel free to call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. We offer the finest service in South Jersey, just as we have done for over 70 years.

Maybe you’ve just purchased a new car and you’re debating whether to take it to the dealership where you bought it for scheduled maintenance or even bodywork as opposed to an auto body repair shop.

Then again, you think about having close ties to the dealership, but you think it’s not that convenient to where you live and work. The constant thought of should I take it to the dealership or find another source of maintenance is on your mind. Well, finding an auto body shop near me should be my goal, but I need to figure out what is the best plan of action. Which is better, taking my new car to a dealership or an auto body repair shop?

With either choice, you are dealing with the limitations of a dealership and an independent body shop. With either choice, you’ll have to decide what works for you. Weighing the differences should help you decide which is a better option for you.

 

Collision Repair

Does a dealership do collision repair work? Dealerships have service departments that deal with collision repair work, but often the repair work is done outside of the dealership and that’s because of time and cost limitations.

With standard repair work, dealership technicians are skilled and competent with basic repair work but with bodywork that’s necessary after a collision, there is a focus on the time to repair the vehicle as opposed to completely repairing it.

 

Does a Dealership Actually Do Body Work?

When you work with a dealership, they will do bodywork on the cars that they promote and sell, but they will assign out bodywork if they don’t have the current capacity to complete the work. You expect dealerships to complete bodywork quickly, but what they charge with any repair work done depends on the time involved in repairing the vehicle.

Most people just automatically expect dealerships to repair a vehicle quickly. This encourages service departments to finish repairs as fast as possible. When a service technician completes a job quickly, within the amount of time estimated, the dealership profits. There are online competitors that have edged dealerships out on work, so the dealerships are trying to make up for losses through service departments.

 

Is a Dealership Mechanic Better?

Auto technicians who work for dealerships undergo factory training and work on the makes and models the dealership represents. The technicians are not necessarily better than technicians from auto body repair shops. Many independent technicians have similar factory training but are more in-depth with certifications in various areas. They also usually have more time in the business along with gained skills.

Technicians with dealerships often go through prolonged training and are aware of the kinds of cars that are sold through the dealership. They understand the ins and outs of vehicles. Are they considered more proficient than an independent body shop? Not always. Independent body shop technicians often have similar training as dealership technicians, but they are likely to be better at the work if they’ve been in the industry for a longer length of time.

Independent body shop technicians work on a whole range of vehicle types and models so they can advance in their level of experience and technical proficiency in repairing and rebuilding a vehicle. Most body shops also hold certifications that enable them to gain expertise. They gain further certifications as collision experts with different vehicles. This means that they gain independent certification from carmakers for repairs. Such examples include other top vehicle names in the industry who require advanced training and other certifications to complete repairs at a high level.

 

Determining Factors with a Dealership or Auto Body Repair Shop

 

Price

Independent auto body repair shops have less costly repair prices than dealerships do. Those who use dealerships for repairs often pay more for similar repairs. A body repair shop can help vehicle owners save money on costly repairs. People want to argue about dealer prices being relevant because the technicians making the repairs have more training and experience. That’s not always the case.

 

Experience

There seem to be arguments concerning both the knowledge and experience viewpoints between technicians who work for a dealership and those who work for auto body repair shops. With a dealership, technicians work with certain models and car brands while independent auto body shops work on a wide variety of vehicles. A technician from a dealership may have experience with specific cars and knowledge of them and may work better because of that specific knowledge, but that doesn’t guarantee that an independent technician knows any less.

Most independent auto body repair shops today carry blue seals of excellence and other certifications. This means their technicians have gone through strict training and examinations that verify a technician’s worth, plus they go through recertification on a regular basis.

 

Parts

Most independent body repair shops have access to parts through several outlets. When you know you need to repair your vehicle, a dealership can get parts more easily as they direct their attention to certain vehicle makes and models. They are more zoned into specific cars and work on them regularly, which means they understand certain parts and their availability.

 

A Dealership or Auto Body Repair Shop

There are savings on repair costs along with benefits, whether you go with a dealership or an independent auto body repair shop. So, it basically comes down to a choice of where you’ll take your vehicle for repairs. A dealership may have a bit more knowledge about your car, but an independent shop is usually less expensive and still has the knowledge and experience. You want to research on your own to determine what is the best choice for you.

If you’re anywhere in the southern New Jersey area and need either maintenance, specific repairs, or body work, contact Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. Or maybe you just have questions about general vehicle maintenance or more serious concerns with repair work. We’ve been in business since 1947 and have more than proven our worth to the communities we serve. Call us, you won’t regret it.