If your car has been involved in an accident, and you've decided to live with the damage to your car, you might be making a big mistake. The damage to your car may appear to be superficial, but that might not be the case. Depending on the severity of the impact, and the point of impact, your car might have sustained frame damage. However, you won't know that until you have your car inspected at an auto body repair shop. Unfortunately, driving your car with a bent frame could put you at risk for serious problems, including another car accident. Read the list provided below. If you're experiencing any of the issues described here, take your car to an auto body repair shop right away.
Unusual Noises While Driving
Now that your car has been involved in an accident, it's a good idea to pay close attention to minor changes, including unusual noises. This is especially important if you've decided to forego the repairs. Unusual noises can be a sign of damage that you're unaware of, including frame damage. If your car's frame sustained damage during the accident, you might hear sounds such as grinding, squealing, or other metallic sounds. If you do hear those sounds, even if they're limited to one side of the car, head to an auto body repair shop right away.
Gaps in Doors and Windows
If you've recently been involved in a car accident, but you haven't taken your car in for an inspection, there could be frame damage that you're unaware of. To identify that damage, take a close look at your doors and windows. If your doors and windows fit snugly prior to the accident, but you can now see gaps, you need to have your car inspected at an auto body repair shop. Those gaps could be an indication that the frame was bent during the accident.
Damage to Undercarriage
If your car was damaged in an accident, and you haven't taken a look at the undercarriage, now's the time to do that, especially if you haven't visited an auto body repair shop yet. You might not realize this, but not all frame damage can be seen by a surface inspection or identified through unusual noises. Some damage occurs under the car, where the undercarriage is located. If your car has been handling differently since the accident, take a look under the car. If you see signs of damage, such as visible bending, visit an auto body repair shop immediately. The damage to your undercarriage could be a sign that your car sustained frame damage during the accident.
