That sickening crunch of metal on metal. The unexpected jolt that throws you from your seat. That immediate sinking feeling in your gut when you realize that you’ve just been in a car accident.
Even a minor fender bender can ruin your day – and possibly your vehicle’s value. While these “small accidents” might seem minor when compared to major collisions, they can hide dangers that many Atlanta drivers overlook.
In fact, what might look like a simple bumper scratch could be hiding damage to your car’s sophisticated safety systems. This is something you don’t want when you’re traveling on Atlanta’s busy highways every day.
At Atlanta Auto Collision Center, we see hundreds of minor accident repairs each year. Our auto body shop has learned a lot about those hidden risks. So, before you pass up on collision repair after a fender bender, here’s what you need to know!
What Actually Counts As A “Fender Bender”?
Let’s start by clearing up a common myth – not every minor collision is truly a “fender bender.” As a leading auto body shop in Atlanta, we define fender benders as low-speed collisions that can cause visible but limited damage to your auto paint or exterior.
This type of vehicle damage includes:
- Parking lot bumps and scrapes
- Low-speed rear-end collisions (under 15 mph)
- Side swipes that primarily damage exterior panels
- Minor front or rear-end impacts that don’t deploy airbags
What makes these accidents so tricky is that while the damage might seem cosmetic to you, modern vehicles are designed with crumple zones. Their integrated safety systems can become compromised even in low-speed impacts.
What Are The Dangers of “Minor” Collision Damage?
When Atlanta drivers bring their vehicles to our auto body repair shop, they’re often surprised by what we find during our initial assessment. Here’s what might be lurking just behind that seemingly minor dent:
Frame Damage
Even at speeds as low as 5-10 mph, your vehicle’s frame can sustain damage that impacts its structural integrity.
Modern cars are designed with crumple zones that are built to absorb impact. Once those zones are compromised in an accident, you’ll need professional auto body repair services to restore that protection.
Our certified technicians use specialized frame measurement equipment that can detect misalignments as small as a millimeter – issues that can cause premature tire wear, poor handling while driving, and reduced protection in any future accidents.
ADAS System Misalignment
Many vehicles built in the last few years have an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that relies on precisely calibrated sensors. Even minor bumps can cause these sensors to go out of alignment, which can result in false collision warnings, malfunctioning parking sensors, and inaccurate blind spot monitoring.
Our auto body shop uses manufacturer-specific calibration equipment that makes sure your ADAS is back in working order after any impact, giving you added peace of mind that your car is safe on the road.
Hidden Mechanical Damage
That “little tap” you got in that fender bender could transfer force exponentially throughout your car’s components. This can lead to damage that is hard to see – until the damage is done and you’re left with a bigger problem.
Some of the vehicle damage we see compounded from fender benders include:
- Radiator or cooling system damage
- Transmission mount issues
- Exhaust system misalignment
- Suspension component damage
We’re committed to your complete satisfaction, which is why we look for potential damage during our free estimates. This helps customers avoid costly repairs down the road.
Why DIY Auto Body Repair Can Make Things Worse
We’ve worked with quite a few Atlanta area drivers who have tried to “buff out” those scratches and dents. We get it – why go through the hassle of dealing with your insurance company, getting a rental car, and paying for collision repair services when you could just handle it yourself with reasonable effort?
The problems start before you even get out the tools. Today’s vehicles are complex machinery, requiring the right expertise and materials to fix even relatively older models.
Using the wrong approach on your vehicle could result in costlier repairs down the line. For example, do you know how to repair high-strength steel, aluminum panels, and composite materials or alloys? What about paint matching? Do you know how to determine the exact match your car needs to make sure those scratches and dents are truly invisible?
High caliber collision repair can help you handle the fix the right way – the first time. When you work with a team that has years of business experience in fender bender repairs, you can trust that every aspect of the fix will be done right, whether that’s touching up auto paint or replacing a cracked windshield.
Don’t Risk It After A Fender Bender – Trust Atlanta’s Top Auto
Body Shop and Collision Repair Services
Whether it’s a minor bump in a parking lot or that jolting rear ender on the Atlanta highway, you want to know that your vehicle is safe to drive after an accident. Here at Atlanta Auto Collision Center, we’ve worked with customers for years to provide the best repair services that fix problems fast.
We start every fix with a digital assessment that inspects your vehicle from top to bottom – giving you a clear picture of what’s going on under the frame and what fixes might be needed to get back on the road. We’ll then professionally repair your vehicle, following OEM standards and factory-approved methods.
Our quality control and documentation keep you in the know from start to finish. We will make sure you leave the lot feeling great about your repair experience. We’ve built a reputation as Atlanta’s leading auto body shop – and we invite you to visit today to learn why!
Don’t risk it after a fender bender. Contact our team today and schedule a collision repair estimate.
