5 Things to Inspect or Replace After a Car Accident

Jun 27, 2023

Whether you've been rear-ended, hit a big pothole or driven over your kid's bike, your car might feel different after an incident. Don't dismiss odd noises, shakes or handling issues, cautions Leutz. These can indicate a serious problem with your vehicle. For example, if you hit a parking barrier in a supermarket lot and dented the wheel, it may still be drivable, but now has a wobble.

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"You may think you just need to replace the tire and rim, but that spindle assembly is like the wrist joint attaching your hand to your forearm: There are linkages and major suspension components that could be off just a couple of degrees, and that can affect how the vehicle is going to drive," explains Leutz.

Report anything unusual to the collision expert. Then, ask exactly what will be done to the car, including how the technicians will assess the damage.

Most car owners don't think about the webbing on seat belts, but drivers should know this important safety feature isn't indestructible, says Leutz. If a crash detonates airbags, the car will need new seat belts, too.

"If an airbag has gone off, you're changing the tension loads for the seat belt buckle and, almost always, there's going to be a fault error code for the seat belt system," explains Leutz. "Depending on the impact and how severe [the crash] was, it directly correlates to the webbing on a seat belt being compromised."

After repairs are complete, Leutz says the technician should do a final scan of the vehicle systems to double-check that any tripped DTCs have been resolved before returning the car to its owner.

"Walk around your car, and ask them to point out what was done and to explain the specifics," says Leutz.

Ask about warranty terms for the repairs and request a post-repair inspection in 60 days.

"It's like a follow-up with a doctor after open-heart surgery to give everyone peace of mind. This way, if there are any issues, they can be addressed," he adds.

Gary Wollenhaupt, 57, who lives in Surprise, Arizona, got an unpleasant surprise several years ago when his minivan sustained $8,000 worth of damage after being rear-ended. His vehicle looked great when he picked it up, but when he got in the driver's seat, something didn't feel right.

"On the way home, I thought maybe the seat wasn't adjusted properly," recalls Wollenhaupt. "Then, I had my wife sit in the seat, and we figured out the frame of the driver's seat was bent and twisted from the impact of the crash."

Although Wollenhaupt was told the car had been inspected, he figures nobody actually got into it to check the seat. He contacted his insurance company to report the repair was not complete, and the body shop sourced a replacement seat.