If you’ve been in a car crash in South Florida, you might already know you need to see a doctor. You may be experiencing pain or have suffered an obvious injury. Or, perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to walk away from the crash. In this case, it’s still a good idea to visit a medical professional to rule out soft tissue injury, head trauma, and other serious injury.
Your car, too, needs to be checked out. Even if the car seems to be handling fine after your collision, there may be damage. And the longer you wait to notice and report it, the more difficulty you may have proving to liable parties that the damage was caused by the accident. Driving around with a damaged vehicle can also put you at an increased risk for a second crash because your car may not be handling correctly.
After a car accident, give your car a thorough look-over and take photos of any possible damage. You may also want to take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic. Here’s what you’ll want to look for:
Structural Issues
A crash can impact your car’s steering, frame, and suspension components. You may not notice but problems with these issues can impact how your car maneuvers and can put you at an increased risk of accidents. In some cases, dash lights may come on to alert you there’s a problem. In other cases, though, damage may cause these lights to malfunction. Some mechanics have scanning devices that can uncover diagnostic trouble codes, which can help find problems that may not be visible with a visual inspection.
Damage to Driver Assistance Systems
The radars, sensors, and electronics designed to keep you safe may get damaged in any collision. These systems are important because they may warn you of nearby pedestrians and vehicles, so even after a smaller accident you’ll want a dealership or mechanic to confirm these are still working correctly.
Damage to Airbags and Seatbelts
If you’re in a car accident where your airbags are deployed, your safety systems have likely kept you safe. After your crash, you will need to take your car to a mechanic to replace the airbag so it can protect you in the future. At the same time, ask your mechanic to check the webbing on your seatbelts. In a crash, this webbing can become damaged and replacing your seatbelt can ensure you stay safe if you’re in a collision again.
Small Damage to Windows
Always look for small chips or cracks in the windows, especially in the windshield. These could make your windows more likely to need repairs down the road.
When you take your car in to a mechanic, report any unusual noises, changes in how the car handles, and any wobbling. These could be signs of problems your mechanic will want to diagnose.
After Your Inspection
Once your car is back from the shop, inspect it visually yourself and ask the mechanic to write down and explain all the damages he or she found and how it was repaired. Make sure you understand the warranty on the parts and the repair work. Take the car for a test drive to make sure it handles well after the repairs.
About 60 days after repairs, bring the car back for a post-repair inspection. This helps ensure the repair work fixed all the problems and your car is still safe to drive.
If you’ve been in a car accident, car repairs can be more expensive than you think, especially if a mechanic misses damage. To ensure you get fair compensation for your losses and damages, schedule a free accident consultation with Flaxman Law Group to find out whether you have a case. Just phone us at 866-352-9626 or contact us online to speak to a South Florida car accident attorney.