Ask an Expert: Is my car safe to drive after a crash?

by John Theresa Kightlinger

After an auto accident, you could be wondering if it is safe to drive your vehicle. Here are five things to consider before driving your car.

Your own health and safety. Before you consider your car, you need to make sure that you’re fine to drive. Accidents are very stressful situations and people react in different ways. It’s important to get checked by the first responders at the accident scene. Make sure you’ve been taken care of and cleared for driving.

Broken windshield. The first and obvious thing to look for is your visibility behind the wheel. If it is badly cracked or shattered, then you shouldn’t be driving it. A cracked windshield can alter your vision because of how light travels through glass and other materials making it difficult to see other drivers and pedestrians on the road.

Are your headlights working? It’s important to test and make sure that your headlights, taillights and signal lights are working.

Fluid leakage. Check to see if your car is leaking any fluids. Leaking fluid from a car is dangerous because it can cause a fire as you’re driving and this could lead to another accident. Leaking fluid also signals that a major car system is about to run out of what it needs to function correctly.

Damage to the hood. This area of the car houses a number of very important systems including the car’s engine. If the hood is badly damaged, then you shouldn’t drive your car because it will break down sooner than you think.

Brakes and tires. In over 70 percent of auto accidents, tires seem to be the first to be impacted mostly because the collision tends to move cars against their intended direction. If your car has a flat tire, don’t attempt to drive it. The uneven distribution of pressure can affect the car’s steering. Ineffective brakes are something to look out for as well as they’re usually damaged also.

Bottom line. The decision to drive your car after an accident varies from accident to accident. Use the points above to assess your individual situation to make sure you’re staying on the safe side. The important thing after that is fixing your car. Find a reputable collision repairshop in your area and let them take care of your car.

John and Theresa Kightlinger own My Body Shop at 401 N. Clinton St., Stockbridge.The couple have lived in the area and raised their children here over the past 20 years. John has been in the auto body business since 1985, and Theresa began work at General Motors after high school. Between the two, they have been working on cars for more than 75 years.