From minor bumps to high-speed crashes, most car accidents result in damage that requires the expertise of an auto body repair shop. Collision repair is not always simple. Even minor accidents can cause car body damage that is expensive and timely to repair. The type of impact and the style of the damaged car play a role in determining how much damage has occurred.

Determination of a total loss

Many drivers think there is no hope if their insurance company says their car is ‘totaled’. However, because that is totalized it is not necessarily irreparable. The extent of the damage has very little to do with whether or not an insurance company declares a total loss. Instead, the decision is based on the cost of the collision repair compared to the fair market value of the car. If repairing the car body damage will cost more than the car is worth, it is said to be totaled.

structural damage

Repairing damage to a vehicle frame is one of the most expensive types of collision repair, but it is not impossible to undo structural damage. A knowledgeable auto body repair shop will usually inspect a wrecked vehicle for misalignment before anything else. If the car does not meet the manufacturer’s exact measurements, advanced machines are used to return the frame to its original specifications.

rear-end collisions

Depending on the speed, a car hit from behind can sustain quite a bit of damage. Structural damage is not uncommon after a severe rear-end collision. The amount of damage will also depend on the car. In a recent IIHS study, a low-speed rear-end collision in a compact car with a poorly designed bumper can result in more than $3,500 in car body damage. On the other hand, a car with dent-resistant plastic body panels can often be repaired for less than $200.

frontal impacts

Front end collision repair is often more extensive than rear end damage repair. At higher speeds, a frontal collision can damage the front bumper, hood, windshield, and side panels. If the damage is minor, the body technician may choose to repair the panels instead of replacing them. Unless the parts are pre-painted, the body shop will also have to match the paint color and re-spray each panel before putting the car back together.

rollovers

A car that rolls over typically has much more body damage than a vehicle involved in a front or rear collision. Frame damage is usually unavoidable in a tip-over. There is a chance that every part of the car has sustained at least minor body damage. The decision to repair a vehicle that has rolled over must be made carefully. Extensive damage like this could also require additional mechanical work.

Whether the damage to the car’s body seems minor or major, an experienced collision repair specialist should examine the car for hidden damage. Accidents can cause cosmetic damage that is fairly easy to repair, as well as frame damage or mechanical issues that are much more expensive to repair. Almost any type of collision damage can be repaired, but sometimes it’s more cost-effective to scrap the vehicle.