How to Fix a Car

Even the most cautious of drivers can get into car accidents. After all, accidents usually happen very quickly and without warning. When that happens, many folks often wonder, where do I start? What do I do?

If you’re wondering how you go about repairing a car after an accident, the first thing you should know is that you have options, some of which you may not even be aware of.

Understanding Who’s At Fault

If you’ve been in an accident, you want to know right away who’s going to repair your car and how much it’s going to cost. The answer to both questions really depends on where the accident occurs, specifically the state, how is at fault for the accident, and insurance among other issues.

Unless you live in a no-fault state, liability i.e. fault, in a car accident is always based on negligence. In a fault state, a driver must prove the other driver was negligent in order to get damages from an insurer or the driver. It’s important to note that in a fault-based state, an insurance company is only going to pay for damages up to the policy limits of the other driver.

What does that mean? It means if the other driver was at fault in an accident and caused $12,000 of damage to your car, but only has $6,000 worth of coverage, then the insurance company will only pay $6,000 toward your repairs.

In cases where you’re at fault for your vehicle’s damage, especially in cases where you might drive off the road, or run into a tree or fence, you have to pay for the damage yourself or make a claim against your own insurance policy’s coverage.

You Can Choose The Insurance Company

Repairing a car after an accident is a necessary undertaking if you want to get back on the road. If you get into an accident and you’re not at fault, then you can choose which insurance company you want to use to get your car repaired.

One option you have is to use your own insurance agency to get your car fixed. You’re already paying for insurance through that company and being provided with coverage, so in some ways, it’s a no-brainer. Plus, you more than likely have comprehensive coverage and collision coverage to deal with just this sort of thing. If you are paying for comprehensive coverage, then you may only have to pay $500 or $600 when all is said and done, depending on your deductible.

Going through your own insurance can also potentially help get your car back on the road faster. Since there are no questions about liability before a claim is paid. Once you pay your deductible, you should be all set, and just have to wait for the repairs to be done.

If you have to go through another insurance agency for any reason, the agency will need to first determine liability. If the other party is found to be at fault, it can make the claim process a little quicker. If determining fault is harder, however, then the agency may have to wait on the police report to determine liability. If the other part is found to be at fault, the agency will owe you money through tort, which essentially means one party owes a legal duty to another party.

You Can Choose The Shop

Depending on which insurance company you go through, some of them may have preferred auto body collision repair shops that they use. But for repairing a car after an accident, you definitely have more options than the two or three they are likely to provide.

You can always take those suggestions, but you aren’t obligated to. In some instances, it may be quick and easy to do this because those two or three shops are familiar with your insurance company and the way they conduct business. The good thing about this is that the shop is motivated to keep costs down to satisfy the insurance company. It’s a good bet the shop does quality work too, in order to keep work flowing in.

Should you opt to have your car repaired at another collision shop, your insurance company may tell you that auto repairs must be made for the same amount as one of their preferred shops or their adjuster bid. In some cases, insurance companies may require you to get bids from as many as three different shops. Once that’s done, the company then approves the median amount.

You Can Fix It (Or Not)

Believe it or not, repairing a car after an accident is a choice that’s entirely yours.

There are four main causes of auto body damage: fender benders, high-speed collisions, negligence, and weather. Depending on which of those categories your vehicle falls under, you may not need full-scale repairs. If your car is damaged, but not totaled, and still drivable, you can also take it to a shop to have it fixed yourself. Ultimately, it comes down to how you feel driving a car that perhaps looks a little banged up.

An insurance company owes you money for repairs, whether you get the car repaired or not. So if you prefer getting cash to getting a repair done, that’s your choice. The catch to that is if you do need to get a particular part of your car repaired in the future, the insurance company may not cover that.

Another option you have is to get estimates on repairs from auto body shops. Once you’ve got that information, you can then take your car to a mechanic friend, or someone who can do the work for less money.

You also want to consider that if you currently have a lender on your vehicle, then repairing a car after an accident is a good idea. This is a good idea so that you don’t run into problems if you try to sell the car at some point. Body damage can cause the value of a car to drop significantly and can cause car owners to go upside down on a loan, where they owe more on the loan than the car is actually worth. So if you’ve been in an accident and you need some extensive repairs done like hydraulic pump repair, to restore your power steering or automatic brakes, don’t hesitate to get that work done.

If you own your car free and clear, and you have minimal damage in the aftermath of an accident, you may choose to not even make an insurance claim. This is especially true for car-animal collisions. For example, if you have a car-deer accident where you hit a deer and you bust a headlight, you can buy parts from an auto parts store, and fix the headlight yourself.

You Can Choose Not To Keep Your Car

Repairing a car after an accident sometimes means knowing when to walk away. Even though your emotions may be running high in the days after an accident, you need to make sure you make decisions with a clear head.

In the event that your car is totaled in an accident, you can choose whether or not you want to keep your car. If a repair estimate comes back from a shop that’s higher than the value of your vehicle, it may be time to move on. In that case, the insurance company can pay you the value of your vehicle and you can go shopping for a new car.

You Can Say No To Their Offer

Just like you can choose not to keep your car after an accident, you can say no to the offer given to you by the insurance company for repairing a car after an accident. Just because they told you your car is worth a certain amount, doesn’t mean you have to say yes.

Plain and simple, if you think your car is worth more, you can say no to the offer. But you have to then prove that your car is worth more. How can you prove it? You can point out details like low mileage, upgrades you’ve made to your vehicle, a custom paint job you may have put on it, or even that your vehicle may be a limited edition. If you think any of those details can help increase the value of your car, you need to let the insurance company know right away.

Getting Legal Help

When anyone gets in a car accident, there’s a lot that happens. Firstly, there’s the shock of getting into an accident. Then you have to check that you’re alright as well as any other parties involved. Then you have to figure out what your next move is, both physically and also what to do with your car.

All of this can be very overwhelming and repairing a car after an accident may seem like a Herculean task. Thankfully, you can make the whole process a lot less stressful by meeting with a car accident attorney. If you’re filled with questions in the aftermath of an accident, an experienced attorney can help. They’ve seen and done a lot, and it’s a good bet they’ve seen dozens of cases just like yours.

A local car accident lawyer usually offers a free initial consultation, can answer all your questions, and really help you get some direction after you’ve been in an accident. Whether you’ve been seriously injured in an accident and want to take legal action, or you’re just looking for guidance on what to do with your vehicle, an experienced attorney can lay out all your options to help you make the best decision.

Getting New Keys And Fobs

Repairing a car after an accident can take a few steps, but in the midst of all the whole process, you may find yourself in need of a new car key or a new key fob.

In the past, if you needed a replacement key, it was easy to go to a locksmith or your dealership and get a replacement. But as easy as it was, it also allowed for more opportunities for thievery.

Today’s technology has allowed plenty of advancements to key a new key fob and keys made by laser cutting.

The cost of a new key fob can range from $50-$100, depending on the make and model of your car. All fobs need to be programmed and you might be able to have it done for free at your local dealership. If you’re in the market for a new fob, you can also buy aftermarket fobs online and program them yourself, much the same way you can program commercial garage door openers. If you need another option, you can buy one from a locksmith.

Keys made by laser cutting have a slightly thicker shank and fewer grooves. A benefit of these is that they have transponder chips, that can be programmed by a dealership or a locksmith. Depending on where you go, laser cut keys can range from $150 to $250.

Don’t Delay Repairs

Repairing a car after an accident may seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Armed with knowledge, and by having some patience, you can care of everything, step by step.

As jarring as being in an accident can be, it’s important to be diligent with getting your car repaired. If your car needs minor repairs, such as new headlights, or major repairs, such as brake services, make your insurance claim and get your vehicle into an auto body shop to have it fixed.

If your car has been totaled in an accident, do what you need to in order to get a fair price for your car. Armed with a payout, you can then shift your focus from the car accident to buying a new car, and getting back on the road soon. If driving is a big part of your everyday life—whether you’re traveling for work, running errands around town, or planning on taking a vacation—you need a vehicle and by being diligent you can find a great new vehicle and get back to traveling.

If you have ever happened to find yourself in the position of wondering how to fix a car then you are certainly not alone by any means. Even people who have owned their car for many years are not exactly sure how to take care of some of the most common car problems that arise. Things can get even more troublesome as a car progresses throughout its lifespan. If you do not know how to fix a car then it can become even tougher to learn how to fix a car as time goes by. But this simply does not have to be the case. By educating yourself and doing the right research you can learn how to fix a car throughout its life. We hope that our list of tips and ideas can get you the head start that you just so happen to be on the lookout for!

Find a Mechanic You Trust

Regardless of what kind of auto repair work you need done, none of it really matters if you have a bad mechanic that you cannot trust. In the world of car repair, there is much to be wary of, as is the case in most terrains. But when it comes to being a person who does not know how to fix a car it is crucial that you find a mechanic that you both know and trust to do good work. You can always try to take your chances by strolling off of the street into the first auto repair center that you happen to come across, but this approach will almost always leave you with unsatisfactory results. It is far better to take the time that is needed to search for a mechanic who has the kind of strong, positive reputation in their community. This almost always means that they are someone who you can trust as you learn more about how to fix a car.

No matter how nice or brand new your car may happen to be, it is only a matter of time before it will need some type of repair work done to it. After all were you aware of the fact that in a recent survey, research found that an estimated 77% of cars were in need of maintenance or repairs? So if having your car repaired is simply an inevitable piece of owning a car, then it pays to make sure that your car is in good hands while it is going through its repair process. A mechanic who is trusted both in their local community and by the industry at large will be sure to get you the kind of work that you need done and at an affordable price point. This is a service that mechanics with little community trust can rarely offer to their customers. Just because you may not know how to fix a car that does not mean that you need to pay too much money to someone who is barely qualified to do so in the first place.

Follow Oil Change Guidelines

Getting regular oil changes is key to making sure that your vehicle operates to its full potential over the course of its lifetime. Without the routine oil changes that are required to keep your car running smoothly, you will find that you have far more issues and problems than needed. An oil change not only helps your engine to run as it should but it also keeps other parts of your vehicle working in tip-top shape. It is no surprise then that so many different kinds of vehicles make it a necessity to keep up on a routine oil change schedule regardless of what you may think about the subject. As any mechanic will likely tell you, keeping up on routine maintenance activities is a major key to keeping your car running as it should for many years on into the future.

If you happen to be a new vehicle owner and you are not sure how to change your oil yourself, then you will need to visit one of the many oil change locations that are probably near your area. There are some mechanic shops that simply specialize in changing the oil in a vehicle. These can be good options if you are looking for a quick visit that gets you right in and out of the shop. However, if you want a more complete type of auto service, then you may want to consider visiting a regular mechanic who can also inspect other parts of your car while also performing a full service oil change.

Use the Recommended Fuel

Similar to using the right oil in your car, you have to be sure that you are using the right fuel if you want things to run as they should. Choosing a grade of petroleum is usually simple. You can just consult with the owner’s manual of your car, or look for information online. Staying in step with the right fuel will ensure that your car maintains its optimal fuel efficiency. It will also make sure that nothing gets out of sorts with other vital components in your car.

Keep an Attorney’s Contact Info

The fact of the matter is that sometimes no matter how safe of a driver you may happen to be, some accidents out on the road are simply nearly impossible to avoid. For this reason, it is a good idea to have some backup plans for what you need to do. Keeping the contact information of a vehicle accident attorney close by is an excellent way to make sure that you are not caught off guard in the event of an automobile accident. Far too many drivers are simply lost and flustered after an accident, and they often find themselves confused as to how they should handle the aftermath of a big crash on the roads. Making sure everyone is safe is a good idea, but contacting a lawyer can also help you to stay out of legal trouble, especially if you were the one who was responsible for the accident.

Drive Responsibly

Of course many car accidents could be avoided if more drivers were safe and responsible behind the wheel. Rather than driving aggressively or recklessly out on the roads, it always helps to take a defensive approach to driving. To avoid car and truck accidents you can make sure that you are not driving over the speed limit. Try not to accelerate or brake too suddenly unless it is absolutely needed. By taking these kinds of precautionary measures you can ensure that you are not caught needing repairs and not knowing how to fix a car.

Invest in High-Quality Parts

The right parts make all the difference in a car. When you drive around with parts that are made to work together, you will notice a smoother driving experience. In some cases buying the right parts for your vehicle does not even need to be a pricey or expensive venture at all. For example, you can usually end up getting your hands on used air compressors that often will perform the exact same functions for a fraction of the cost. Keeping your eye out for good deals is one way that you can save yourself some money as you continue to learn how to fix a car. Investing in the right high-quality parts will help your car drive better both today in the present moment and onward into the future weeks, months, and years that lie ahead.

Used Isn’t Always Worse

For some unfortunate reason many people simply have a poor opinion about buying and driving around used cars. But the fact of the matter is that used cars can often deliver the same value that a new car can without all the shiny new features that people have come to love. Sure your used car may not have the latest and greatest dashboard commands, but in many cases the foundational elements of the car will work just as effectively as a new vehicle. As an added bonus, shopping for used cars can give you some ideas on the kinds of cars that fall within your price range.

In many cases a person may walk onto a used car lot looking for used Ford F150s for sale only to end up discovering that there are actually many other types of cars that they love and admire. This process of discovery can often work in your favor, but you have to be open to looking at used cars in the first place. By no means is a used car always worse than a new one. In fact, for those people who are willing to spend some time doing their research and looking things up, they can often end up with a great used car that will serve them for many years to come.

Invest in Your Garage

Having a great car is not just about driving it around. Sure, it may be fun to show off your car with some fun road trips in and out of town, but at the end of the day, it is crucial that you are storing your car in a place that keeps it safe and sound. You may have the nicest car in the world, but if your garage is not set up, cleaned, and well taken care of it won’t even matter one iota. Investing in your garage is something you will never regret doing. As the key resting spot for your car, your garage will play a pivotal role as you continue your journey into learning more and more about how to fix a car.

If you happen to be having any sorts of troubles in getting your garage ready for a car, then you may find it helpful to go and talk things over with your local concrete supplier. They will often be able to give you some key thoughts and ideas that can serve you as you prepare your car to house a precious car, whether it is new or used. Concrete suppliers can often come over to visit your garage and provide you with a price estimate for their services so that you are not kept in the dark as to much a great garage will end up costing you.

Learn About Other Vehicles

Of course it is always a good idea to learn all the ins and outs of your own vehicle if you want to know how to fix a car over its lifetime. But you can also learn a lot by taking the time and effort out of your day to educate yourself on all the ins and outs of other kinds of vehicles. For example, a single visit to a new powersports dealership may help you to learn about some of the similarities that may exist between a jet ski engine and your own car. While things like this rarely ever line up in perfect unison, they can often serve to educate you on important topics that will help you on your own journey as you do learn how to fix a car that belongs to you.

As with most other fields of knowledge, it pays to invest some time into reading books, blogs, and articles on the subject. When you invest your time into learning on your own, you will find that you will have a much easier time of things once it comes time to test your knowledge about how to fix a car. You may need to replace the automotive bulkhead connectors and without prior knowledge, could end up further damaging your car. Furthermore, the act of educating yourself on different vehicles may even help you to avoid some of the common pitfalls that other drivers and vehicle owners may fall into.

It does not make much of a difference whether you are just wondering how to fix a car or if you are a more experienced driver, it never hurts to update your knowledge on how to fix a car as you progress through your stages of car ownership. We truly hope that you were able to take some ideas away from each and every item on our list. Best of luck to you as you work on fixing your car throughout your life!