Nobody wants to ever have to deal with a car crash. However, if you’re unfortunate enough to have one happen to you, it helps to be able to do a quick assessment of damage. When you can get a sense of the kind of damage your vehicle has suffered in an accident, it helps reduce the amount of wondering you’ll need to do as you wait for your insurance company to assess the car. Here’s what to know about collision types and the damage they cause.

Broadside Collisions

According to Salinas Law, broadside collisions usually occur at an intersection and when one of the cars involved is struck on the side. This happens when cars run through yellow lights or when someone is turning and misjudges the distance they have to make it through the intersection. These collisions have the potential to produce significant side-body damage. However, depending on the exact nature of the collision, more significant damage may be involved. If your car has been involved in a broadside collision, it’s wise to have it evaluated by a trusted mechanic to assess the extent of the damage.

Head-On Collisions

These are some of the most destructive car accidents possible. Since the cars hit each other head-on, these accidents often total the cars involved, especially if they happen at high speeds. Even if vehicles aren’t totaled, these types of crashes can easily result in engine damage. Head-on collisions are also extremely dangerous for the drivers involved as well and serious injuries are likely.

Rear-End Collisions

These relatively common collisions don’t always cause severe vehicle damage. Usually, a rear-end collision happens when a vehicle fails to stop in time for a stop sign or light and hits a stopped car. These accidents may cause back-end damage to the car that was hit as well as front-end damage if you are pushed into the car in front of you . Even at low speeds, though, rear-end collisions have been known to cause severe injuries to drivers. According to Gerber Collision & Glass, you should always make sure you do a thorough check for damage after this kind of collision, as damage from them is often hard to spot.

While any car accident has the potential to be damaging, the type of damage will often vary depending on the type of accident. By understanding accident types and the damage they can cause, you’ll be better equipped to assess any damage to your vehicle at the scene of the accident.

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