Being involved in a car accident can be scary and dangerous. It can also do significant damage to your vehicle - some of which is immediately apparent, and some that may show up as an issue weeks or months later. If you have been in an accident, help get your car back running safely by checking taking these 5 post-accident steps that help you discover and fix the possible damage for much cheaper than overpriced auto-shops and dealership technicians.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contacting your insurance is a very important first step in the process of getting your car repaired after an accident. You need to notify them about the accident and provide them with pictures and as much information as possible about what happened and the obvious damage. You should also notify them that you will begin checking other areas of your vehicle’s engine and parts for hidden damage, as they may have a required process for how you need to complete this. It will be important for you to follow their guidelines in order to receive any possible compensation for the repairs to your vehicle.
Inspect Car Body and Engine
In addition to obvious damage such as crushed bumpers and broken headlights, do a thorough inspection of your entire car – including under the hood and under the car body. Take detailed photos and make note of anything that may have been damaged in the accident so that you can provide your insurance with everything that needs to be checked and taken into account. It's also important to listen closely to any noises you may hear such as banging, clanking, or if your vehicle sounds abnormally loud or rattily. These can be signs of internal damage that may not be visually evident.
Check Engine Control Unit
Your
engine control unit (ECU) monitors and controls many of the processes in your car and notifies you that there may be a problem by usually turning on your check engine light. If it sustained any kind of damage it could cause your car to not turn on, persistent battery issues or serious problems with your transmission. It is important to inspect it and monitor your vehicle for warning signs that it may be malfunctioning due to the accident.
Replace Airbag Module
If your airbags deployed during the accident, you will need to replace them with new airbags. You will also need to check and possibly reset or
replace your airbag module so that they will function correctly in the future. Even if they didn’t deploy they could have been damaged, which leaves you at risk if you get into another accident and they aren’t working correctly. Check your airbag lights on your dashboard to ensure that the airbag system is working and that they aren’t blinking – which could signify an error code.
Repair Seatbelts
Seatbelts are a major safety feature in your car and one of the most basic things that protect you in an accident. If they are not functioning properly after your car accident, they will not be as effective in protecting you and your passengers. Check to make sure all your seat belts retract and release as they should and fit comfortably – not too snug or too loosely. They should also lock and unlock with the brakes, if they don’t they may have suffered damage and
need to be repaired.
Contact MyAirbags for Help with Your Post-Accident Repairs
If you find damage to your vehicle’s engine or safety features after an accident, it’s important to get them fixed as quickly as possible for insurance and safety reasons. MyAirbags can help you diagnose and refurbish your damaged parts for a fraction of the cost that other auto-shops charge.