
Car Problems After a Rear-End Collision: What Drivers Need to Know
Being involved in a rear-end collision is often a shocking and overwhelming experience. It is one of the most common kinds of car accidents, and rear-end collisions can cause significant damage to your car, whether visible or not.
Even if the damage seems minor and the damage looks to be only cosmetic, the energy from the impact can travel through the whole body of your car, leading to hidden structural or electronic issues. These hidden damages can make your vehicle unsafe to drive and affect its performance, making it dangerous on the road.
It’s important to understand the different types of damage that occur from rear-end collisions. If you’ve been in an accident, you should thoroughly inspect your vehicle and make repairs as soon as possible so the issues don’t become more serious. When you’ve made these fixes, you can drive with peace of mind, knowing you are safe and that there won’t be further issues down the line.
What to Do After a Rear-End Collision
It’s important to take certain actions to protect yourself financially and legally in case the other driver is dishonest. Right after you are involved in an accident, you should do the following:
- Check for any injuries.
- Move to a safe location if the car(s) are blocking traffic or could potentially cause another accident.
- Look for damages.
- Never immediately admit fault, even if you think you are the one to blame for the accident.
- File a police report and be honest when recalling the accident.
- Document with photos and videos to gather evidence around the scene of the accident and any damage to your vehicle.
- Exchange information like full names, phone numbers, insurance and driver information, and the plate numbers of all the drivers involved in the accident.
- Contact your insurance provider, giving them full details of the accident and ask questions about filing an auto claim.
- Visit a doctor to make sure you receive any necessary medical treatment.
- Take your car into an auto body repair shop to check for any damages, even if the damage seems minor or cosmetic.
Car Damages Caused by Rear-End Collisions
Wheel Alignment Issues
Damage to your car’s suspension system can manifest into something more significant after a rear-end collision. Your wheels are connected to the rest of the vehicle, and without proper alignment, your tyres can be stripped faster.
You might feel an unevenness when driving or even notice your car start to drift to the left or right. These problems can make your car more dangerous to operate and might impact your gas mileage and the overall wear on your tyres.
Broken Taillight and Electrical Damage
Considering their position, your tail lights and electrical systems are vulnerable at the rear of your car. The force from a rear-end collision can damage your car’s electrical systems and cause issues by potentially causing components to come loose or breaking wires, resulting in malfunctions, fire hazards, and other issues that can pose risks when driving on the road.
Newer vehicles have additional essential electrical components that are often located in the trunk, including:
- Rear amps in your sound system
- Body modules that regulate certain functions like air conditioning or power windows
- CPUs controlling the engine
- Backup cameras or distance sensors
- Side mirror issues
All of these components are necessary for a safe vehicle. Even minor damage to your car’s electronics can lead to future issues that can be frustrating and interrupt daily life.
Trunk Damage
Trunk damage can mean you’re now open to a whole range of difficulties:
- Your car’s resale value can significantly decrease
- The trunk may no longer open and close correctly, leaving any of your belongings in the trunk vulnerable to theft
- Without a proper seal, you’re exposed to rain or snow that might result in moisture damage and mould
- A loose trunk lid can pop open suddenly while driving, blocking your rearview and creating a hazard on the highway.
Damaged Transmission
Transmission problems are among the more serious outcomes when you’ve been involved in a rear-end collision. Vehicles can be all-wheel drive (AWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), or front-wheel drive.
- For AWD and RWD vehicles, the transmission or transfer case is near the back of the vehicle.
- FWD transmissions can usually avoid damage during a rear-end collision but potentially can still be damaged with severe impact.
Regardless, be alert for any signs of transmission issues, like difficulty changing gears, transmission fluid leaks, or a slipping transmission, which all need immediate repairs. If your transmission is compromised, your car can have trouble accelerating or shifting gears correctly, which makes you a hazard on the road and puts you, your passengers, and other drivers at risk of an accident.
Frame Damage
After a collision, a bumper with a crack or dent in it can make your car’s entire frame vulnerable to impact. Although it may not appear to be a big deal, a bent frame can be extremely dangerous.
If the structural integrity of your car is compromised, you put yourself and your passengers at a higher risk of harm. A damaged frame can also impact your driving control, causing your car to drift and putting unnecessary stress on other parts of your vehicle’s structure.
Auto Collision Repairs By Caversham Coachworks
We understand that being in an accident is scary and disorienting, and we are here to help. At Caversham Coachworks, our goal is to make the repair process after a collision simple and stress-free.
We offer services like alloy wheel refurbishment, cooling systems and air-conditioning maintenance, paintless dent removal, swift same-day repairs, steering component repairs, the use of genuine parts, and electrical system maintenance and refurbishment. At our convenient locations in Caversham and Abingdon, we are here to help with traditional, modern, hybrid, and EV vehicles with our state-of-the-art equipment.
Contact us today or use our free and easy estimator tool.