Few people are able to go through their entire life behind the wheel of a car without 'running into' a problem, quite literally. By the law of averages, they are likely to become involved in an accident, and in the majority of cases, this will not be their fault. However, the fact remains that the vehicle is now in a sorry state and will need to be restored to its former glory. If you find yourself in this position for the first time, you may be unsure how to proceed and will want to learn more about the process.
Assessing the Damage
You'll probably be worried about the money as well, especially as this was not your fault. Before any repairs can be carried out, the insurance company will need to assess the damage to your vehicle, and they'll bring in qualified engineers to take a look. As you can imagine, they have access to sophisticated technology and a lot of experience, so they will be able to generate an estimated cost with remarkable accuracy. Once happy, they will give you the go-ahead to begin the repair process.
Parts and Scheduling
When you take the vehicle into the panel beater for the first time, they will be able to confirm the findings of the insurance company and begin the process in earnest. They may have to order some of the parts but will often be able to start right away, confident that the outstanding parts will be delivered just in time.
Realignment
The first job is to inspect the integrity of the vehicle to make sure that all of the major components are in line. The vehicle will be connected to a mechanised jig, and all the dimensions will be checked carefully using a computer program. If necessary, powerful machines will be used to realign the components before the car is handed over to the panel beater for more detailed work.
Blending Together
While some panels may be replaced, others can be repaired, and this is where the expertise of the technician comes into play. They will be able to straighten any panels and blend old and new ones together using techniques and tools that are unique to the industry. They'll want to ensure that the vehicle is fully restored from a practical and aesthetic point of view before it moves into the paint shop for the final stage.
Good As New
When all is said and done and you take your car back, you won't be able to tell that your vehicle was involved in an accident in the first place.
For more information on the car repair process, contact a local company like Dandy Smash Repairs.
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