Accidents cause visible damages, such as dents, scratches, or broken headlights. You may tend to focus on these things because people see the cosmetic damage first. However, the interior of your vehicle can also suffer from a collision, though this often goes unnoticed until you start looking. rom torn upholstery to damaged dashboard components, collisions can impact your vehicle’s interior in various ways. Restoring these elements is crucial for your car’s comfort, functionality, and resale value.
Here’s what you need to know about addressing interior damage after a collision in New Jersey and how Elmer’s Auto Body can help restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
Key Takeaways
- Airbag deployment, seatbelt strain, dashboard cracks, upholstery damage, and window or glass issues are typical interior damages that occur during a collision.
- Damaged airbags and seatbelts need to be replaced or repaired by professionals to ensure passenger safety and vehicle functionality.
- Cracked or broken dashboards and center consoles, including electronic systems, can often be repaired or replaced by collision repair experts.
- Collision repair shops offer thorough inspections for hidden damages, use high-quality materials, and often provide warranties, ensuring both safety and peace of mind after an accident.
Common Types of Interior Damage After a Collision
The severity of the collision ultimately decides how badly the interior of a vehicle is affected. Aside from things like fender damage, you may also have to deal with the following:
Airbag Deployment Damage
In a serious collision, airbags will deploy to protect passengers. While essential for safety, airbag deployment can cause interior damage. The dashboard, steering wheel, and passenger-side panels may crack or break upon impact. Additionally, airbags can leave residue and burns on the upholstery and interior surfaces.
Seatbelt Strain
Seatbelts are designed to lock up during a collision, restraining passengers to prevent injury. However, this sudden force can damage the seatbelt mechanism, leaving it non-functional. In some cases, seatbelt retractors or buckles may break or weaken.
Dashboard and Console Damage
During a collision, the dashboard, center console, and glove box can crack, break, or loosen. Electronics like touch screens, climate control systems, and audio units may be dislodged or damaged, making them inoperable.
Upholstery Damage
Depending on the impact, seats and upholstery can sustain tears, stains, or burns. Debris from shattered windows, airbag residue, and even fluids from spilled drinks during the crash can stain or damage the fabric or leather seats. If left untreated, these stains can become permanent.
Window and Glass Damage
While exterior glass damage is more noticeable, the interior side of windows can also be affected. Shattered glass may enter the cabin, leading to scratches or cuts on seats, the dashboard, and door panels. Interior window tinting may also be damaged.
Steps to Restore Your Vehicle’s Interior
Once interior damage has been identified, it’s important to take action quickly to avoid further deterioration. Here’s what can be done to restore your car’s interior:
Airbag Replacement
After a collision, airbags need to be replaced by a professional. Elmer’s Auto Body will inspect and repair all damaged dashboard and panel components, ensuring they are reinstalled properly for safety.
Seatbelt and Restraint Repairs
Damaged seatbelts and their mechanisms must be repaired or replaced to maintain passenger safety. Our team can assess whether the seatbelt system has been compromised and restore it to full working order.
Dashboard and Console Repair
Cracked or broken dashboards and center consoles can often be repaired or replaced, depending on the extent of the damage. If any electronic systems are affected, Elmer’s Auto Body can diagnose and restore them, ensuring your vehicle’s functionality is fully restored.
Upholstery Cleaning and Repair
Torn or stained upholstery can be professionally cleaned, repaired, or replaced as needed. Whether you have fabric or leather seats, our technicians can address stains, rips, and burns to bring your interior back to life. In cases where the upholstery cannot be restored, we can replace it with high-quality materials.
Glass and Window Replacement
If interior windows are scratched or the glass tint is damaged, our team can replace the affected glass or reapply tinting to match the original look. We also ensure that no shards of glass remain in the interior, preventing future damage or injury.
Reasons to a Collision Repair Shop For Interior Repair
Obviously, there are many things auto body repair shops can do for you, but the fact that they are trained and professional takes prominence. You want you vehicle restored to its pre-accident condition, so choose a repair shop that can provide you with high-quality service. Here are some reasons why you should choose a collision repair shop in South Jersey for interior repairs:
- Hidden Damage Inspection: After a collision, the interior of your vehicle can suffer hidden damage that’s not immediately visible, such as damaged seatbelts, airbags, or electrical components. A professional collision repair shop has the expertise to thoroughly inspect your vehicle for internal issues that could affect your safety and comfort.
- Repair of Safety Systems: A certified collision repair shop has the necessary training and equipment to restore safety features to their full functionality, ensuring your vehicle is safe to drive again.
- Quality Materials: Collision repair shops use high-quality materials and original manufacturer parts to ensure that any damaged interior components, like upholstery or dashboards, are repaired or replaced to match the original factory standards. This level of precision helps maintain the integrity and aesthetics of your vehicle.
- Warranty and Insurance Coverage: Many collision repair shops offer warranties on their repairs, giving you peace of mind. Additionally, if the interior damage is part of an insurance claim, working with a certified collision repair shop ensures the repairs are done according to the insurer’s standards, making the claims process smoother.
Contact a Collision Repair Shop in South Jersey Today
After a collision, don’t overlook potential interior damage that could compromise your vehicle’s comfort and functionality. Many systems extend to the interior, after all. Although the team at Elmer’s Auto Body focuses more on the exterior and structure of the vehicle, there are various repairs we can make to the interior as well. If you have been in a collision and need professional collision repair in South Jersey, contact Elmer’s Auto Body at one of our three locations today. Let us help you get back on the road safely and comfortably.