7 Issues you may Encounter after a Collision

Car collisions are every driver’s greatest fear, which is why many adopt necessary measures to prevent such catastrophes. While adhering to road safety tips and adopting the best car maintenance routine is key to reducing road accidents, it often doesn’t always guarantee a road trip free of collision.

A DUI driver could rear-end your vehicle, or you could do the same while being distracted. When such happens, you’ll likely be in shock. After the shock subsides, you may be confused, especially when your car refuses to start or start acting weirdly.

Cars develop several adverse effects post-accident. As a responsible car owner, you should note these issues after the crash to guarantee your safety and protect your car. But how do you note these signs when you cannot even recognize them? To help in that regard, we have highlighted 7 common issues car owners encounter after a collision.

  1. Your inertia Switch Trips, Causing Your Car Not to Start.

After a car accident, you expect the appearance of scratches or dents on the car’s surface. However, the after-effects of a car accident (especially a minor one) don’t only include scratches, dents, and shattered rear lights. In most cases, your car may not start.

Of course, like many car owners, you may link the issue to a damaged transmission, and you’ll be wrong if you do so. The most likely reason a car will fail to start after a minor accident is a tripped switch that kills power to the vehicle’s fuel pump.

Many cars are equipped with an inertial switch that will cut electricity supply to their fuel pump after an accident. The inertial switch protects the vehicle from going up in flames. This stops it from pumping gas should the car’s fuel pump get damaged.

If your car fails to start after a minor accident, don’t panic; simply check the owner’s manual to determine if it has an inertial switch or not. If it does, all you have to do is press a button to start your car normally and continue your trip.

  1. Your New Battery May Soon Fail

The impact of a collision isn’t always pleasant on your car’s exterior, including some interior components like your battery. The effects of a car collision can shift your battery. That is not all!

Aside from causing some dents and shifting your battery, car collisions can destroy the inner cell and agitate sentiments that short out the lead plates. Furthermore, being involved in a motor vehicle collision can reduce your vehicle’s battery life. To ensure that your battery’s life is always at optimum, try to get it checked regularly, especially after a collision.

  1. Faulty Headlight or Taillight

A rare-end or a front-impact collision will always damage a vehicle’s headlight or tail light (in the case of the former). Damage to lighting often comes in three forms, including:

  • Broken lights
  • Disconnected wiring
  • Lens damage

If a collision resulted in a broken headlight, you have no choice but to replace it. However, in the case of disconnected wiring and lens damage, you can easily carry out the fix yourself. For instance, if the two wires are disconnected, you should be able to join them together to reactivate the lighting system. Meanwhile, a car light lens repair kit should be helpful if lens damage occurs.

When seeking a replacement, remember to always go for parts that match the model of your car. If you use a very old Ford model, it makes sense to visit a Ford auto parts company to get a replacement for your damaged headlight. You can as well get replacements for other parts of your vehicle including your breaks, clutch, etc. Ensure you contact your local mechanic for help if you are confused and need clarity on what to buy.

  1. Leaks

Leaks are common after-effects of an accident. So ensure you inspect your car for minor leaks or fissures in tubing and containers after your accident. These leaks aren’t often obvious, so the chances of you missing them is huge. To prevent this, check your vehicle consistently for four days to ensure that you aren’t missing anything. Alternatively, you can take the car to a service center for thorough inspection if you have a gut feeling about a leak.

  1. Your Car Has Been Thrown Out of Alignment

Were you involved in a minor collision? If so, you may not have to bother about misalignment. But, if you are involved in a severe accident, misalignment may occur. To confirm or allay your fears, pay close attention to your car’s drivability, tire wear, and steering wheel; they are common signs of a misaligned vehicle. If you discover that your car has been thrown out of alignment, don’t try to manage it. Instead, take it for repairs to prevent further damage and make it safer.

  1. You May Be Unable to Open/ Close your Car Door

When a collision occurs, the impact affects several components of your door, some of which are glaring, while some are inconspicuous. In the case of a severe impact, your car doors may be unable to open or close due to the misalignment of the door frame or door mechanisms.

If you have issues opening or closing your door after a collision, don’t hesitate to take your car to a repairer shop. Driving with less functional doors can pose a safety risk for passengers in the car.

  1. Damaged Frame

One of the common casualties of a car collision is your bumpers. Since these car components are made of plastics, you expect them to buckle when they encounter a ferocious force like a car ramming into your rear or front.

A damaged car bumper leaves your vehicle prone to impact. On the other hand, a bent frame is often hard to note and very dangerous. After your car’s frame has been weakened due to a rear-end impact, its strength reduces, making it unable to protect you and your passengers from a future accident.

Conclusion

Many things happen to your car after an accident. Of course, some of these things may go unnoticed,while some are as glaring as the sun. Your job as a car owner is to figure out what these things are and make efforts to fix them.