When you’ve been in a car accident, even a minor one, your first instinct might be to assess the damage and get back on the road. But just because your car starts and moves doesn’t mean it’s safe—or legal—to drive it. At DG Collision Center in Covina, we’ve seen firsthand how drivers underestimate collision damage, especially when it involves the body of the car. Whether it’s a cracked bumper, bent frame, or damaged fender, what looks like a cosmetic issue could put you and others in danger.
Let’s break down the real risks, legal considerations, and when it’s time to stop driving and bring your vehicle in for a full auto body inspection.
Why Drivability After an Accident Isn’t the Same as Safety
Just because your car turns on and drives down the road doesn’t mean it’s roadworthy. Cars are built with layers of safety systems, many of which are integrated directly into the vehicle’s frame and exterior. After a collision, these systems may be compromised even if they don’t affect the engine.
Here are a few examples of auto body issues that could make a seemingly functional car dangerous to operate:
- Misaligned panels can lead to improper airbag deployment.
- Crumpled hoods or trunks may fly open unexpectedly while driving.
- Cracked or missing lights limit visibility and reduce your ability to communicate with other drivers.
- Detached bumpers can come loose at high speeds, creating road hazards.
Auto body damage is more than skin deep. The integrity of your vehicle’s protective shell plays a huge role in keeping you safe during a future accident.
Common Auto Body Issues to Watch For After an Accident
- Frame Damage
The frame is your vehicle’s skeleton. Even if the damage appears minor, a bent frame can throw off your car’s alignment and make it handle unpredictably. It also reduces your car’s ability to absorb impact, which is crucial in the event of another collision. - Loose or Hanging Body Panels
After an accident, parts like the front bumper, fenders, or side panels might look secure but may be held in place by little more than friction or a few damaged fasteners. If one of these parts falls off while you’re driving, it becomes a serious hazard—for you and everyone else on the road. - Obstructed or Missing Mirrors
Side and rear-view mirrors are essential for safe lane changes and turns. If a mirror was cracked or knocked off during the accident, driving without it puts you in immediate risk of another accident. - Broken Headlights or Taillights
Lighting is a major safety and legal concern. A single non-functioning light can lead to a ticket, but more importantly, it makes your vehicle harder to see or understand on the road. Other drivers rely on your brake lights and turn signals to react in time.
Legal and Insurance Considerations After an Accident
Driving a damaged car can open the door to both legal and financial consequences:
- Violation of Safety Codes: In California, it is illegal to drive a car that is considered unsafe due to broken lights, missing mirrors, or hazardous body components. If stopped by law enforcement, you may be cited or even prohibited from continuing to drive until repairs are made.
- Insurance Liability: If you get into a second accident before repairing collision damage, your insurer may deny coverage for pre-existing damage—or worse, hold you responsible for contributing to the severity of the new accident.
- Resale and Value Reduction: Continuing to drive a damaged vehicle can worsen the condition, making it more expensive to repair or reducing its resale value. Bringing your car in right away limits that long-term financial loss.
What You Should Do After an Accident
If you’ve been in a car accident, we strongly recommend the following steps before deciding to drive again:
- Take Photos at the Scene
Even if the damage seems minor, take thorough photos from all angles. This helps with insurance claims and gives us something to reference when beginning repairs. - Check Lights, Mirrors, and Latches
Make sure headlights and brake lights work, mirrors are intact, and all doors and the trunk open and close properly. If any of these are compromised, do not drive the vehicle. - Schedule a Body Shop Inspection
Bring your vehicle to DG Collision Center so we can perform a full auto body inspection. We’ll check for hidden damage, document all necessary repairs, and help you begin the insurance claim process if needed. - Call for a Tow, Not a Test Drive
If there’s any doubt about the condition of the car, opt for a tow truck. Towing avoids further damage and ensures safety. Many insurance policies will cover towing after a car accident, even if you’re not at fault.
Why Trust DG Collision Center?
We specialize in collision repair—not mechanical work—so we focus entirely on restoring your vehicle’s exterior and structural integrity. Our technicians are trained to identify problems that aren’t visible to the untrained eye. We’re not just looking for what’s bent, scratched, or cracked—we’re looking at how it affects the vehicle’s overall safety and performance.
We handle:
- Frame straightening and structural repairs
- Panel replacement and dent removal
- Paint matching and refinishing
- Body alignment and part replacement
We also work directly with all insurance providers, which means you don’t have to play middleman. Most of our customers can drop off their vehicle, file the claim through us, and leave the rest in our hands.
Still Not Sure If It’s Safe to Drive After an Accident?
Ask yourself:
- Can I clearly see out of all windows and mirrors?
- Do all my lights function?
- Is any part of the car dragging, rattling, or exposed?
- Do all doors, the trunk, and the hood open and latch properly?
- Is the bumper attached securely?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it’s time to park the car and call for help.
A car accident is already stressful enough—don’t make things worse by driving a potentially unsafe vehicle. Even if your car seems okay at first glance, body damage can weaken your car’s ability to protect you in the event of another collision. Play it safe: let us take a look before you hit the road again.
About DG Collision Center, an Auto Body Shop in Covina, California
We would love to help restore your vehicle following a car accident or comprehensive damage. DG Collision Center in Covina, California is your one-stop-shop in Covina for auto body repair after car accidents. Our highly trained team includes specialized technicians. We work directly with all insurance companies. This enables our customers to file a claim without even needing to be present. We pride ourselves in providing excellent service at DG Collision Center in Covina, California.