Category: Safety

Can Damage From A Head-On Collision Be Repaired?

A head-on collision is one of the worst types of auto accidents that you can suffer. These types of collisions are far more likely to result in serious injury, and also much more likely to decimate your vehicle. Obviously, the damage will mostly be in the front, and that’s where the most important part (the engine) is located. So, that brings us to the essential question. Can damage from a head-on collision be repaired? It depends on several key factors.

The Extent Of The Damage

The first thing to understand is that it all depends on the extent of the damage. If you are talking about a low-speed collision or an indirect collision, the damage might be minimal. In most vehicles, the radiator is right in the front, so it’s probably going to be toast. There is always going to be a fan right behind that radiator, so it’s likely going to be destroyed as well. However, those parts can be changed out without much trouble, so they aren’t the biggest concerns.

The biggest concerns are the frame of the vehicle itself, as well as the engine. When these things are damaged beyond repair, it’s better to scrap and replace the car. If there is frame damage, it might still be possible to repair the vehicle, but that is something that has to be decided on a case-by-case basis. While it is certainly possible to replace an engine, the parts and labor involved are going to be extremely expensive.

Type Of Damage Incurred

It’s not just about the sheer extent of the damage, as the type of damage will also be a determining factor. If the frame has been bent to the left or the right, this is called “sway damage.” Likewise, “twist damage” involves the frame being twisted. You also might have “mash damage”, in which the metal of the frame has been compressed like an accordion.

Mash damage is probably the worst of the three, while sway damage is generally less serious. Twist damage is right in the middle, as it all depends on the extent of the twist. After a certain point, the frame can no longer be restored to a safe and stable state. However, if you just have some light sway, the vehicle can probably be repaired. Body shops have straightening machines that are great for light damage, and damaged sections of a frame can often be replaced.

Safety Concerns

Safety should always be a key factor when choosing whether to repair or replace a vehicle. For example, let’s say that your car has suffered severe mash damage and some twisting in key places. It might be possible for a skilled body shop technician to restore that vehicle to a point where it can be driven. However, it will never be particularly safe to drive that vehicle. Should it be involved in another collision with a badly weakened frame, the results could be catastrophic.

Body shops have to think about these things when repairing vehicles. If they send someone out with an unsafe vehicle and something terrible happens, they can be held liable. There are also various laws and state-level regulations that determine when a car can legally be allowed back on the road after a collision.

Type Of Vehicle Frame

All cars and trucks made today will generally have one of two frame types: Uni-body or ladder-frame. A uni-body frame is exactly what the name implies: The entire frame is one piece. A ladder-on-frame design, by contrast, uses the frame as more of an anchor on which to attach the body. You usually see ladder-frame designs on trucks and other larger vehicles, as it is better for bearing a large amount of weight. In any case, uni-body repairs tend to be more expensive and more difficult.

Availability Of Parts

If your vehicle is damaged severely enough to compromise the frame, there will certainly be other damaged parts as well. Most (if not all) of these will need to be replaced. Of course, this might include sections of the frame and body, so you’re definitely looking at some expenses for all those parts. And, of course, that problem becomes much harder if your vehicle’s parts are not so easy to find. Aftermarket parts can often be substituted for rare ones, but that might reduce the vehicle’s resale value.

Can You Drive A Vehicle With Frame Damage?

Absolutely not. It is not safe to drive a vehicle that has suffered frame damage. We have already mentioned the fact that such vehicles are unsafe due to their structural integrity being weakened. However, there is another problem: Such a car usually won’t drive straight. The frame is the very core of the vehicle, so you cannot expect it to travel straight on a bent frame.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no simple answer here. Damage from a head-on collision may or may not be possible to repair. It mainly depends on how much damage the vehicle took, what type of damage was incurred, and the amount of time and money that will be required to return the vehicle to an acceptable condition. If you are in need of a frame repair, there is no need to ask yourself “where can I find the best auto body shop near me?” because you are already looking in the right place. To find out more, you can call us at (856) 218-0202.

7 Signs That You Might Have Received Bad Auto Body Repair

Unfortunately, not all repair shops are equally good. While many of them are run by highly competent and well-trained people, there are always a few exceptions here and there. In many cases, substandard mechanics will rely on the customer to accept the work without asking too many questions. This, of course, is a mistake, and it often leads to shoddy repair work going unnoticed and uncorrected. Here are 7 of the plainest signs that you might see if you have received a bad auto body repair.

1. The Steering Doesn’t Feel Normal

When a vehicle impact occurs, it will frequently affect some aspect of your steering. This might be something obvious (like wheel damage), but an expert repair technician should be able to catch the subtle issues, too. If your steering feels choppy or “gravelly” after being repaired, they probably missed something. If there is clicking or excessive resistance when you turn the wheel, there is definitely something wrong. You might even experience a handling delay while turning, which could be dangerous.

2. The Alignment Of The Wheels Is Off-Center

Whenever major collision repairs are done, the wheels should be balanced and aligned. The purpose of this is to make sure that everything is pointed in the right direction (i.e., straight ahead). Some mechanics will try to skimp on this step, but it’s easy to tell if your alignment is not right. Simply find a long straight stretch of road without much traffic. Country roads are the safest bet. While traveling completely straight, take your hands off the wheel for just a second or two and see if the car starts drifting to one side. Obviously, you need to grab the wheel again quickly so that you don’t go too far. If the car wants to drift, that means your alignment has not been fixed.

3. Irregular Braking

If you find yourself experiencing brake behavior that doesn’t match with the pre-collision performance, it’s also a sign that your repair shop may have done a poor job. When you hit the brakes, it should stop as easily and quickly as you would expect. If there is a lot of noise coming from them, something is probably wrong. If the vehicle tries to drift left or right when you hit the brakes, something is definitely wrong.

4. Gaps And Misalignment

Collision repair often involves the replacement of external parts, such as bumpers and panels. However, a less-savvy type of mechanic might have a hard time getting everything to line up properly. If someone doesn’t know what they are doing, it is very easy to end up with gaps between panels, misaligned parts, and other such issues. These gaps can cause serious problems over time by allowing rainwater into places that would normally be protected. You can check for gaps and misalignment by opening and closing doors, the hood, the trunk, and/or the tailgate (if you have a truck). If these have trouble closing or staying closed, it’s a dead giveaway that something isn’t lined up properly.

5. Electrical System Issues

Modern vehicles have a lot of electronic components, and that means many things that can go wrong during a collision repair. When you get your vehicle back from the shop, do a quick check of all the electrical components and make sure they still work correctly. This would include the radio, air conditioner/heat, power locks, power windows, dashboard lights, turn signals, brake lights, etc. If you find something wrong, it’s time to head back to the shop.

6. Your Car Is Returned Dirty

If your vehicle is in the hands of a competent professional, it should not be returned to you in a dirty state. Auto repair is often a messy business, but it is the responsibility of any good mechanic to return your car in the best possible state. If they don’t take the time to clean the thing, it makes you wonder what else they may have neglected or forgotten to do. This one isn’t a huge problem in itself, but it is an indicator of unprofessional service.

7. The Paint Job Is Splotchy

Technically, anyone can repaint a vehicle. However, it takes a little bit of expertise to do it right. The real art lies in matching colors, which allows paint repairs to blend into the existing paint job. If they do not match your original color well enough, you will be able to tell when you look at that spot. In some cases, the “splotch” might only be visible in bright daylight, but that is still unacceptable. A professional and well-trained collision repair shop should not send your vehicle home with an ugly finish.

Conclusion

There are many other signs that can indicate substandard repair work, but this article could never hope to cover them all. However, you definitely need to think about the nature of the work that has been done, and this will tell you what problems are likely to occur. For instance, if they were working on your brakes, that is obviously the first thing you should test. That kind of thinking will help you to find any additional problems.

If you find yourself asking: “where is the best auto body shop near me?”, we have your answer. Elmer’s Auto Body is the most respected auto shop in South Jersey, and we’ve been in the business of collision repair for over 70 years. To find out more, you can call us at (856) 218-0202.

Best Ways to Avoid Damage Caused by Potholes

Potholes might look like small craters in the road, but they can cause significant damage to your vehicle. For that reason, avoiding potholes is a must, especially if you want to prevent costly repair bills. Here are a few things you can do to limit the damage caused by a pothole.

What Causes a Pothole?

Any depression on the surface of a road is considered a pothole. They often develop after water seeps into the crevices and cracks of the pavement. As a result, gravel and dirt push towards the surface when the water freezes and expands. Once the temperature warms up, holes will form in the pavement. These large divots in the road cause damage to vehicles. Unfortunately, any pothole damage is the driver’s responsibility, and it can affect the suspension and other parts of the car.

How To Safely Drive Over a Pothole

Depending on the size of the hole, damages from a pothole can be minor or severe. If you want to avoid any possible repair bills, you must learn to move around these holes. Here are a few things you can do to prevent pothole damage to your car.

Slow Down

Significant damage can result from traveling over the hole at a high rate of speed. When you spot that pothole, you should lower your speed. Before you get to the pothole, slow down but don’t push on the brakes. Braking can actually increase the risk of damage to your vehicle.

Use Caution When Traveling Over Puddles

Always assume that a puddle could be a large pothole. After a heavy rain, water can fill up the pothole, making it seem like a small puddle. However, these puddles are covering up a large pothole in the road. You always want to avoid driving in any pool of water. Try to maneuver around the puddle safely.

Prepare for Impact

Hitting a pothole can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. You need to take a firm grip on the steering wheel to maintain control. If you have passengers in the car, warn them of the potential impact.

Keep a Safe Distance from Other Vehicles

When you spot a pothole, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. You can reduce the risk of an accident by providing enough space for other cars. This action can prevent a rear-end collision, especially if the driver in front of you swerves or slams on the brakes.

Inflate Your Car’s Tires To the Proper Level

If you have under-inflated tires, they might not withstand driving over a pothole. You always want to ensure that the tires are inflated to the proper air level for your vehicle. The correct PSI is located in the owner’s manual or on the side of the driver’s door. If you want to stay safe, always check the tire pressure about once a month.

Potholes and Vehicle Damage

Pull over to a safe area if you have already driven over a pothole and think it damaged the vehicle. You should get out and inspect your vehicle for any signs of damage. In some cases, the damage might not be visible to you. Here are a few places to check on your car.

Tires

Potholes can affect the integrity of your tires. Most of the damage occurs to the sidewall. After the tire hits the pothole, it can lose air. You might even see the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light on your dashboard. In many cases, the tire will need to be replaced.

Wheels

Wheels are also susceptible to pothole damage. When a wheel is damaged, it will not travel smoothly on the road. Like a tire, wheel damage often requires a complete replacement.

Suspension

Driving over a pothole can cause damage to your suspension system. In some situations, your vehicle would shift out of alignment. If the vehicle is pulling to the left or right, you need to get your car inspected by an experienced auto body repair shop.

However, these areas are not the only places where damage could occur. If any strange noises are coming from the car, you will need to have it inspected by an auto body shop. Even minor damage could cause significant problems down the road.

Potholes are problematic, and you will always want to avoid them on the road. If you cannot avoid these holes, try safely driving over them. With that, you may be able to lower your risk of damaging your vehicle.

Unfortunately, potholes cause hundreds of dollars of damage every year. Potholes can develop on any road or street when the temperatures drop and rise quickly. If you have traveled over a pothole and now notice problems, make sure to schedule an inspection for your vehicle. With that, you may save yourself from larger repair bills down the road.

Get Your Vehicle Inspected Today

At Elmer’s Auto Body, we can repair your vehicle and get it back to that pre-accident condition. Potholes can cause damage to the wheels, tires, and suspension. Driving a car with poor suspension can be dangerous, putting you and other drivers at risk. A full inspection will ensure that your vehicle is safe for the road.

Our technicians use the latest technology and tools to fix those damaged areas. Your satisfaction and safety are our top priorities. Don’t ignore any pothole damage. When you need to find an “auto body shop near me”, schedule a consultation by calling (856) 218-0202.

How to Understand a Vehicle History Report

When you are ready to purchase any used car, it is important to understand the vehicle history report. This report can provide a wealth of information to decide whether to buy or walk away from the deal. Here are a few things to know about these vehicle history reports.

How Do I Get a Vehicle History Report?

In many situations, you can get a free report from the dealership. These reports come from either AutoCheck or Carfax. You will have to pay around $25 to $40 for a single report. However, you can get a discount if requesting several bulk reports. Some lenders might even offer their own vehicle history reports to consumers. With that report in hand, an individual can get all the vehicle’s information.

If you want to get the vehicle’s history report, fill out an online form with the vehicle identification number (VIN). For those at the dealership, always check that the car’s VIN matches that on the record. After that, you can dive into the information contained in the report.

What Is in a Vehicle History Report?

When you get the vehicle report, you will find plenty of information. Some data will confirm the car’s current condition. Other parts of the report can raise red flags about the vehicle. While this information is not a deal-breaker, it can help you negotiate a better price for your vehicle.

Accident History

The vehicle’s accident history is one of the first things to check out. Carfax and other report providers will gather data from the various motor vehicle departments, collision repair shops, insurance companies, and law enforcement agencies to build a list of the accidents. Often, they will note airbag deployments and severe structural damage on the report. If you see any damage, you will want to have an independent mechanic check out the car for any structural issues. In most cases, you should request documentation that a reputable auto body shop completed the repairs.

Other Damage

Remember that not all damage is the result of an accident. Hail, flood, and fire damage can show up in a vehicle’s history report. While hail damage is a simple fix, you may want to reconsider those vehicles with flood or fire damage. In some situations, hidden damage could lurk under the vehicle’s surface, leading to more repairs and compromised safety.

Title History

The title information can say a lot about the vehicle’s history. If you have a car with a history of ownership over several states, that could be a red flag. Some owners will try to remove negative information about a vehicle by moving it from state to state.

The vehicle history report will also show if the title is branded. A title brand could indicate several issues, including whether the vehicle was totaled and rebuilt. If you see a salvage title, you should reconsider the purchase. With that, the auto insurance company determined that the repairs were not economically viable, and the company declared the car a total loss. After that, someone did repair work to return the car to the road. When a vehicle is re-titled, it will be rebranded with a salvage title.

For the most part, buyers should stay away from those vehicles with a salvage title. There will always be the risk of encountering safety issues and further damage down the road. Cars with salvage titles will never command a similar selling price as those similar vehicles with non-salvage titles. Unfortunately, many repair shops will rebuild the vehicle using low-quality parts so that they can get it back to a road-ready condition.

Remember that many lenders will not lend money for salvage titles. In some situations, you could end up paying a higher interest rate. You will find a title brand for vehicles involved in a fire, flood, or hail storm. Vehicles used for a police department or taxi service will have these titles.

The Purchase History

These reports will provide you with a comprehensive history. You can see when and where someone sold the car. If the vehicle bounces from state to state, it could mean that the car has extensive damage. You will also see how many owners the car had in its lifetime. These reports will list whether the vehicle was owned by a fleet operation rental company or business. Finding a car with only one owner is always the ideal option.

A lien will show on the report if the owner financed the car and did not pay off the loan. You must pay off that lien before transferring the vehicle into your name.

Odometer Reading and Service History

During the car’s lifespan, the report notes the odometer reading. If there are discrepancies, that could be a huge red flag for your car.

With these reports, you can quickly check out the service history. You will see whether the old owner scheduled regular service on the vehicle. A used car with a well-documented history is more valuable than those with spotty records.

Get the Whole Story

While these reports are helpful, you want to have a qualified auto body shop inspect these vehicles. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we will examine any car to help you determine whether you have a potential lemon or not. Our technicians will inform you of any problems that could mean big repair bills down the line. When you need an auto body shop near me, call us. Schedule your consultation by calling (856) 218-0202.

7 Ways To Help Your Teen Driver Avoid A Collision

When your teen-aged children begin driving, it is sure to be a nerve-wracking experience. After all, driving is probably the most dangerous thing that you do on a daily basis. With so many accidents happening all the time, an abundance of caution is the best way to go. You should be teaching them to drive carefully from the start, but many parents don’t know what to say. If you fall into this category, here are 7 important points to cover.

1. Texting And Driving

Let’s be honest, teenagers spend a lot of time on the phone. For that reason, texting and driving is a major risk for them. One look at the statistics on distracted drivers is enough to make any parent nervous, that’s for sure. As such, you should emphasize the need to avoid any phone usage while behind the wheel. In fact, the best thing is to have them turn off their phones while driving.

2. Don’t Just Turn Them Loose

When your teen first begins driving, they should not be “turned loose” to drive around unsupervised. You will need to take the time to ride with your teen driver and correct any mistakes that you might see. Driving can be complex, and there are numerous pitfalls. There is no way that a young driver can realistically foresee all of them. The bottom line is that they need the benefit of your experience before they can be truly safe drivers. You should at least ride around with your teen for a few months before cutting the leash and allowing them to drive alone.

3. Passenger Limits

Sometimes, teen drivers have a tendency to roll around with a large group of friends in the car. While this isn’t unsafe by itself, it does make for a greater number of distractions. A car full of talkative teenagers is sure to distract the driver. Have you ever tried to follow multiple conversations at the same time? Imagine that, and now imagine that you are trying to do that while learning how to drive. Needless to say, that’s a recipe for trouble.

4. Seat Belts Are Not Optional

This is one of the most important safety points to remember: Seat belts must be utilized at all times. When you are teaching your teen to drive, you need to get them used to that fact from day one. When you establish good habits from the beginning, the chances of an accident can be greatly reduced.

They need to understand that seat belt use must never be neglected. If you have trouble, try this little trick: Confiscate their car keys and make them put on their seat belts before you return them. This has the effect of forcing them to get into the habit of buckling up before the car is started. If nothing else, you can use seat belt laws as a way to scare them into compliance.

5. Set A Good Example

When you are teaching your teen to drive, you will have to give them instructions and commands. If you want those instructions and commands to be respected, you have to set a good example. You do this by exercising safe driving habits yourself. If you are going to enforce certain driving rules on your teen, you need to follow those rules yourself, and you must follow those rules 100% of the time. Otherwise, your instructions will not be credible and will not carry any real weight.

6. Night Driving

Sooner or later, your child will have to drive at night. However, it is wise to limit night driving until they have some experience under their belt. Whenever visibility is lowered, there will be a significantly higher chance of an accident. For this reason, you should try to keep your teen from driving at night as much as possible. If you feel it necessary, you could simply allow them to drive to school in the morning before taking their keys after school.

7. Use Some Scare Tactics

It can be very difficult for teens to understand the consequences of their actions until it’s too late. However, when it comes to driving, you cannot simply allow them to make their mistakes and learn their lessons. Driving mistakes can be fatal, and they often are. As such, it is better to let them learn from the mistakes of others.

Don’t just tell them how bad it can be: Show them! Show them some pictures and video that depicts horrible crashes and the consequences thereof. In fact, you could even take them to a hospital to visit some vehicular accident victims. This might seem harsh, but it can potentially save your child’s life. Once they see just how bad it can get, they will probably drive with a bit more caution.

Conclusion

There are other ways to stress the importance of safe driving, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Considering the risks that are involved in driving, you should do whatever it takes to make them understand this simple point: Driving is always dangerous, no matter what.

Don’t be afraid to scare them a little bit, because that might be exactly what they need. Don’t be hesitant to give them clear instructions, because their lives may depend on those instructions. Of course, if you do find yourself or your family in an auto accident situation, you will need the services of a professional body shop. If you find yourself asking: “where is the best auto body shop near me?”, Elmer’s auto body shop offers the finest service in the New Jersey area. If you have any questions, we can be reached at (856) 218-0202.

What to Do When Your Car is Broken Into or Vandalized

When someone breaks into or vandalizes your car, it is devastating. Criminal vehicle damage can be a hassle for you. You have to worry about filing insurance claims and getting the vehicle repaired. These crimes are common, but there are steps you can take to prevent them. Here are a few tips for what you can do if your vehicle is damaged and how you can stop these criminal acts in the future.

What To Do After Someone Breaks Into or Vandalizes Your Car

After the shock wears off, you need to take action. You might want to file a claim to get the car repaired, but you need to document the damage.

Make a Police Report

A few vehicle owners are reluctant to call the police. However, you need to file a police report. Some vandals target multiple vehicles in the area. Your damage might be tied to a widespread crime ring, and the police need to know about it.

Along with that, your insurance company often requires a police report to process your claim. While some police departments will send an officer, others might ask you to come down and file a report. If that is the case, you will need the following:

Your driver’s license
Vehicle registration
Insurance card
Photographs of the damage
A detailed list of stolen items

List Your Stolen Items

Unfortunately, when someone breaks your window, they want the personal items in the vehicle. If anything is missing, you will want to include those items on the list. Make sure to check the entire vehicle, even the glove compartment. Anything from personal papers to spare coins should be listed as stolen items.

You will need this list when you file a police report or insurance claim. In some situations, sensitive documents could be stolen, such as bank statements or credit cards. You might want to set up a fraud alert with the credit bureaus or think about freezing your bank accounts and credit cards.

File an Insurance Claim

Once you have a police report, you can talk to your insurance company. Under most situations, they will have you take the vehicle to a body shop for an estimate. The insurance company could send an adjuster to assess the damage, providing you with a recommendation to get the repairs done. If you have any glass damage, you will want to get those areas fixed as soon as possible. A broken window can lead to injuries and cause further damage to your vehicle.

Get Your Vehicle Repaired

Finally, you can take your vehicle in for a repair. Some vehicle owners will pay for these repairs out of pocket, while others will work with their insurance companies. In any case, you need to have the damage fixed on your vehicle. Make sure to trust those repairs to a reliable and experienced body shop. These technicians will use OEM parts to ensure that the vehicle continues to meet the manufacturers’ safety and performance standards.

You will want to put this incident behind you. For that reason, choose a body shop that can help restore the pre-damaged appearance of your vehicle.

Does Car Insurance Cover Vandalism and Theft?

Not all insurance policies are the same. You should be protected from car theft or vandalism if you have comprehensive coverage. Keep in mind that many of these policies have a deductible that you must pay before the policy covers the repairs. In some cases, you might want to pay for those costs yourself.

For example, if the cost to repair your window is $550, but you have a $500 deductible, you might want to pay for the repair. Otherwise, you will only receive a $50 reimbursement from your insurance provider.

Some insurance companies will increase your rates after making a claim. Your policy could cover certain types of damage, such as a broken windshield. A few insurance companies will cover glass repairs without making you pay a deductible.

If someone breaks into your vehicle and takes your belongings, are those personal items covered under your insurance policy? Comprehensive insurance covers damage from break-ins, but you are out of luck for personal items. Renters or homeowners insurance policies can cover those personal items. Remember that those policies will have their own deductibles. If you have something valuable stolen, such as a laptop, you will want to file a claim. Make sure these items are listed in the police report so that you can claim them with the insurance company.

Ways To Deter Vandalism or Theft

After dealing with this stressful situation, you will want to prevent it from happening in the future. Think about installing a security system or cameras in your vehicle. These alarms can notify you if someone is trying to break into your car.

You never want to hide spare keys in the car. For example, some people will have a second set in the visor area. That is never a good idea.

Don’t keep anything valuable in the car. If you have these items on the seat, that is tempting to would-be criminals. Even power cords could signal that you have a smartphone or other electronics located in the vehicle. Keep everything out of sight. If you cannot bring them inside your home, place those valuable items in the trunk.

Lock your windows and doors. Nearly one-quarter of vehicle thefts are the result of an unlocked door. You can reduce your chances of becoming a crime victim by locking the doors and windows.

Finally, always park in a visible area. Keep the vehicle away from trees or bushes. You want to park in a lighted area to reduce your chances of someone damaging your car.

Having your vehicle damaged from a break-in or vandalism can be a massive headache. You can fix some of that damage by taking your car to a reputable auto body shop.

Take Your Vehicle To an Experienced Auto Body Shop

Our technicians at Elmer’s Auto Body are trained and certified to handle all repairs, including fixing damage due to break-ins or vandalism. When you need an auto body shop “near me”, make sure to schedule an appointment. Call us at (856) 218-0202.