If you’ve recently been in a collision, you may be wondering what parts of your car need to be repaired first. Even minor accidents can result in damages, so get your vehicle checked by professionals in collision repair. This is a common question many car owners have, especially when filing a claim with their insurance company. 

Knowing exactly what needs to be done helps you understand what estimates the auto body shop gives you. As car damage is common after a collision, it’s good to know some of the most common parts affected. These parts bear the brunt and get most of the damage and why they need to be replaced or repaired as quickly as possible. 

What gets damaged in an accident

It goes without saying that the parts that get the most damage during a collision take priority during the collision repair service. These usually include dents to the body of the car where the impact happened. Some dents are easy to fix and can be repaired using a dent puller to suction out the kink. In some other cases, where the damage is irreparable, your auto body shop might need to replace the entire panel. 

Glass  

A lot of collisions result in broken glass, whether it’s the windshield, windows or mirrors in the vehicle. Glass repair is usually a simple car repair that doesn’t take too long and involves replacing the shattered glass parts.  

Headlights

These parts of the car are easily shattered in collisions but replacing them is relatively simple. It involves swapping out the damaged parts and fitting in new ones. It can be done in a few hours and if they’re the only damage your car receives after a collision, you can expect to get your vehicle back in no time. It’s important to get them fixed immediately as it’s illegal to drive without headlights. It’s also vital to keep yourself and other motorists safe as you drive at night. 

Parts that most often need replacing or repair

The following parts of a vehicle are those most likely to be replaced following a collision.

Hood 

The hood of a car is one of the parts most affected during a collision since it shoulders a lot of the impact. These damages include dents, scratches, and folding of the hoods’ framework. Significant frame damage will need frame straightening, which is done in a qualified auto collision repair shop. This kind of damage is complex to repair and realigning a damaged frame requires a technician to use tools, such as chains and hydraulics. 

Bumper 

Bumpers often receive the most damage after a collision. In minor collisions, you may think it’s okay to keep driving your vehicle if the bumper is displaced a little, but this can lead to further damage if not repaired immediately.  

It’s also important to fix your bumper as soon as possible so it keeps protecting you in the vent of another collision. The bumper can be fixed if the damage is minor by removing, repairing, and reinstating it. However, if the damage is extensive and beyond repair, replacing it is your best option. 

Paint 

Car owners often need to redo their paint often even without collisions. During a collision, the vehicle scrapes against another surface or vehicle leading to it peeling off. Major and minor accidents cause chips and scratches that ruin your car’s paint job. You may only need to do a touchup on the paint if it’s a minor accident that doesn’t go further than the top layer of paint. 

But with major collision repairs, a full-body auto paint job may be more appropriate. This is also because after the car’s parts have been pulled apart and worked on, they’ll need a fresh coat of paint to get it back to its original state.

Why are certain parts more of a priority than others?

Keep reading if you’re wondering why a car service may treat some parts of your vehicle as a priority. Some parts of the vehicle are important for safety and reliability and must be fixed first. Examples of such parts include the engine, brakes, and tires. 

Other areas also fixed first include the parts that keep it running, such as the alternator and serpentine belt, and important fluids, such as the power steering and transmission fluid. Taking risks with these car parts can result in serious further damages to both the vehicle and the driver.

Repairing your vehicle after a collision shouldn’t be a tiresome process. We work round the clock at Simplicity Car Care to get your vehicle back to you fast. We’ll ensure every part of your car that’s damaged is repaired and working perfectly at an affordable rate. Contact us today to get started on your collision repair.