Car Damage Repair Near Me – If you’re not familiar with collision repair, the auto body repair process in and around Seattle, Auburn, Bonney Lake, and Centralia, Washington can be confusing. You’re probably picturing a team of skilled technicians in overalls working hard to return your car or some other type of vehicle to its former glory. And if so, you won’t be far off. But there is much more to the auto body repair process than that; We’ve raised the bar for quality collision and auto body repair at all 4 (four) Collision 1 Puget Sound locations, including our convenient Seattle collision repair center.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it may be helpful to learn about the auto body repair process. This information will not only keep you informed about the potential costs and time frame of the collision repair process, but will also help you set realistic expectations for auto body repair.
Car Damage Repair Near Me
There are thousands of collision accidents in Seattle every year. I hope you never fall into one of these. But if you are, here’s what to expect.
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It is important to assess the damage to your vehicle immediately after the accident occurs. If you plan to do so, take photographs of the actual crime scene for documentation and case filing. If you are seriously injured, call the ambulance and police first for help. If the accident occurred outside Seattle city limits, you should contact the appropriate local authority. You can also use the “Online Motor Vehicle Collision Reporting” page offered by the Washington State Patrol for a crash that occurred in any area of Washington.
Give an unbiased account of the accident to both your insurance company and the police. Note that a distracted driving law is in effect in both Seattle and other Puget Sound areas. You must be honest and declare that you were talking on the phone while driving. This will prevent further problems with the authorities.
Don’t forget to share contact information with the other driver involved in the accident. Ask about their insurance policy and how you can reach them for repairs. This part is very important when it comes to covering the cost of collision repair. If the other driver claims to have no insurance policy, you should seek help from the appropriate legal authorities, as Washington requires all drivers to have auto insurance.
To get an accurate repair quote, you’ll need to take your car to a reliable auto body shop in Seattle or a garage closer to home. Note: When searching, it may be better to search for “auto body shop location” rather than “body shop near me.” While you can easily send pictures or get a phone consultation from any Collision 1 body shop, taking the car in will allow you to get a more comprehensive and accurate quote.
Body Shop & Collision Repair Center
Our Seattle collision repair center will have one or more collision repairs, for example, and auto body technicians will perform a visual inspection of your vehicle to assess the level of damage, including interior damage, and evaluate which parts need replacement. Note that the initial estimate will usually only include visible damage. When technicians start getting under your car’s exterior, they’ll likely find more damage, which could lead to additional repair costs.
Most Seattle area auto body service centers, including Collision 1, will use computer software to create estimates and forward them to your insurance company. You will also be provided with a copy of the repair estimate so you can compare it with quotes from other repair centers.
A quick word when it comes to choosing which offer to continue. The cheapest option is rarely the best option. Always choose the company that offers the most comprehensive quote and that you feel most comfortable trusting.
Also, a word about repairing and deleting your vehicle. Please note that the depreciation value of your vehicle will be taken into account in insurance claims. As you get older, the payment will be less. Your insurance company assumes that old age has subjected parts of your car to wear and tear. This means it’s almost always better to repair your vehicle rather than scrap it.
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Finally, if you are working with another driver, liability will be determined based on fault as required by Washington state law. Washington is a state of pure comparative negligence, where the party at fault is liable for damages.
They will create a plan to give collision repair and auto body technicians a clear picture of your car’s condition. This will be their map for repairing your vehicle in a systematic process. The pieces will be dissected for further examination. This is where more damage may surface that the auto body service center missed in its visual inspection. A reliable auto body mechanic will contact you and your insurance company right away to adjust the estimate if necessary. Don’t worry, this happens regularly and is part of the way the industry works.
Some insurance companies will require disassembly first before covering your insurance claim. This way, all damage is documented and there is no need for any corrections in the future. This is also a way for your insurer to make sure you’re not committing fraud on your claim.
Remember, you have the final say on when vehicle repairs begin. If your vehicle is still drivable, you can wait until all materials are ready before the repair begins. But before you give the green light to a Seattle or another area auto body shop, check with your insurance company to see if everything is taken care of.
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Collision accidents can distort the car’s frame to an extent you can’t imagine. Once collision repair work begins, one of the first things the body technician will focus on is the car’s frame. They will use laser frame diagnostic systems to ensure accurate shaping. Chassis machines are also used here to return your vehicle to its pre-accident state. Such a process will take days, if not weeks, depending on how damaged your car is.
Then comes the metal work. This is where your vehicle’s metal parts are replaced when necessary. Each part will be subjected to analysis by an electronic measurement system to ensure auto body and mechanical repairs meet factory standards. This is necessary to ensure that the chassis is level and that the chassis has structural integrity suitable for driving. Wheel alignment and suspension repairs are also very important here as they determine the maneuverability and safety of your vehicle on the road.
It is important that frame and mechanical repairs are done in synergy to avoid emergency adjustments. Experienced auto body service centers know how to do this.
Once the mechanical and chassis repairs are completed, your vehicle will be ready for painting. Surfaces will be taped as necessary prior to sanding and priming. A base coat identical to the original will then be applied, followed by a clear coat. Once the curing phase is complete, your vehicle will go through a gloss finishing step to restore its pre-crash shine.
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It will be re-assembled after the painting process is completed. Every piece and part will be restored to its original place. Cables, airbag components, hoses and other effects will be put back in place if they are removed. This is a challenging process as repairmen must make sure each part is returned to its correct place. If you miss a screw, you may endanger the driving safety of the vehicle. This is another reason why you don’t want to rely on the cheapest quote from any Seattle area auto repair shop. Remember the saying: pay peanuts, get monkeys.
An initial inspection will be made after reassembly. It is also common for an auto body repair shop in Seattle to conduct an on-site test drive to make sure everything is working properly. They will check to see if the doors are installed properly or if there are wiring that needs adjusting.
After the dirty work, your vehicle will be washed and its interior will be cleaned and removed from all kinds of residue and metal dust. The paint will be refinished for better shine and all other surfaces will be brushed to achieve a blemish-free finish. All lightweight components will also be subjected to further checks where necessary.
This is also where the auto body repair center looks for minor glitches. Every little detail will be checked and fine-tuned to achieve showroom quality.
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After all work is completed, visual inspections will be made and another test drive may be carried out. The production manager and lead technician must approve the collision repair after everything is finished. All processes must pass standards and local codes in Seattle or other applicable Washington areas.
Finally, the vehicle is prepared for pickup or delivery. Your Seattle auto collision repair center will contact you