Posted by Car accidents can happen at anytime to anyone who is driving on the road. The death statistics for the U.S. tell the tale. Every year, at least 30,000 people die from car accidents. You might think those are staggering numbers, but thats actually pretty moderate. In fact, its a huge improvement over 1980. Back then, the death toll reached over 50,000.
With that said, car accidents do happen on the road every day. Fortunately, most of these accidents are actually low speed collisions that result in dented fenders and cracked windshields but no damage to the human passengers and drivers. This is largely due to better safety features in modern cars such as crumple zones, seatbelts, and airbags. Of course, due to some of these safety mechanics, modern cars also dent and chip more easily than older car models.
Auto Body Shops
When you need to get your car fixed, you should definitely go to a reputable auto body shop. Auto body shops are a dime a dozen in the United States and of course, it goes without saying that not all of them are created equal. If you want to get good, quality auto repair services, then you have to know how to discern.
Ask For Recommendations
If you have no prior experience with auto body shops and you do not have one that you can trust just yet, then ask for recommendations. Ask your friends and family if they have had any first-hand experience with some good auto body shops in your area.
Check With the BBB
Whenever you transact with a business that you have had no prior experience with before, its always in your best interests to check with the Better Business Bureau. Here, you will find all the information you need about the specific auto body shop that you plan to transact with. You can see all the reviews which have been left by other clients like yourself and whether there are pending negative complaints against the business.
Ask For an Estimate
If you have damaged your car in a collision, do not just haphazardly choose an auto body shop out of desperation. Remember that it is your money (or your insurance coverage) that is being used here, therefore, you have the power to decide. Ask for a fender bender repair estimate and check out multiple repair shops. Shop around first to see which auto body shop offers the services you need at reasonable prices.
Dont Make It About The Price
While price is one consideration, you should not use the pricing as the only category for making your final decision. Also consider the qualification of the repair technicians. Ask them about their certifications as well as their actual experience in working with the particular make and model of your vehicle. If you need specialized repairs, ask if they have a technician who possesses the specialized certifications for the job you need. Furthermore, check the kind of equipment that they actually have on hand. Do they have replacement parts readily available? Do they have advanced equipment for dent repairs or frame restoration?