What To Do After A Car Door Has Been Damaged In A Car Accident

After your vehicle has been struck on the side by another vehicle, one of your car doors might be so severely damaged that you'll need to have it replaced. First, you'll need to assess the severity of the damage done to your car door.

When a Car Door Needs to Be Replaced 

If the car door is dented, it will not necessarily need to be replaced. It will be cheaper to simply have the dents removed. However, if the door is so damaged that it won't open or shut, doesn't lock, or you cannot roll the window up or down, the whole door might need to be replaced. If the door has been ripped from the car, it will most definitely need to be replaced.

What to Do After an Accident

After your car accident, the first step you will want to take is to contact the police. You will then want to contact your auto insurance provider and inform them about what happened. After that, you will want to contact an auto body repair service to receive an estimate on how much it will cost to replace your car door.

You might be able to send photographs to the auto body repair service so they can estimate how much it will cost to repair your car. However, they won't know for sure until they have inspected the vehicle. Then, you'll want to schedule an appointment.

Your Trip to the Collision Repair Shop

If your car is still driveable, you might choose to save money by driving to an auto body repair shop. However, if your car is too damaged, you might need to have it towed.

Working With Your Insurance

The information about the repairs that will be needed and the cost estimate can be sent to your insurance provider. The insurance provider might recommend an auto repair shop to have your car repaired. However, you have the right to have your car repaired by an auto body repair shop of your choosing. The insurance provider is ultimately only responsible for paying for the replacement of your car door. 

The Repair Process

The auto body repair shop will create a blueprint of every part that needs to be replaced so they can be ordered. The car will be taken apart and the frame will be repaired if necessary. Any metal parts will be repaired and your car door will be replaced. After your car has been reassembled, you'll be able to drive it home.

Contact a local collision repair service, such as Ingram Collision Center Inc, to learn more. 

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