Car accidents are a part of life in our modern society. Mostly occurring within three miles of the driver’s home, car accidents are antecedent to a number of possible situations. Poor driving conditions, negligence, car trouble, poor judgment, and road rage (Did you know that the average driver swears abut 32,000 times while operating a vehicle in his or her lifetime?) are all common causes of accidents. They happen every day, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating, inconvenient, and even downright frightening.

Today’s accidents tend to cause much more significant damage to our vehicles than did the ones at the beginning of the 20th century. The predecessor to the automobile was an 8000 lb self-powered vehicle used to haul cannons and was constructed in 1789. It was, as you might guess, pretty difficult to dent. Today’s vehicles, on the other hand, are lighter, speedier, and much more prone to damage.

When you’ve been in an accident, it’s often difficult to clear your head enough to coherently decide what to do next. You’re more likely to react appropriately, however, if you’re already informed about the proper procedure.

In the event of a car accident, no matter how minor, it is always wise to take photos of the vehicles and exchange information with the other driver. The next step, especially if there has been moderate to significant damage, is to call a collision body shop. Collision repair centers specialize in restoring the bodies of vehicles that have sustained damage. Though it is often tempting to call one of the first body repair shops you find, it is not recommended. Instead, do a little research about local body shops so that you can find the best collision body shop in your area. Here are a few tips for sorting through them.

1. Get a few recommendations. Advertisements are everywhere, and they aren’t always honest. Friends and family members, however, will have the real scoop about which collision body shops produce great results. Check out auto body shop reviews online, as well. People will usually write reviews for experiences that made an impression, whether that impression was good or bad.
2. Visit the shop first. You’ll want to look at the actual facility before making a decision. Labor hours usually add on quickly at body repair shops, and larger shops with a lot of workers typically charge higher rates in order to pay their staff. Know what is needed and what that costs without labor when you assess an estimate.
3. Collect estimates. If you can, get several repair quotes in order to avoid overcharges. Some businesses will even match estimates if you bring back a lower one from another collision body shop. Don’t necessarily go with the lowest bidder, either. If it’s far lower than what others are charging, there is probably something not being done, and you don’t want shoddy work.
4. Ask questions. Is there a written warranty? What does it cover and how long does it last? Is there fire and theft insurance on the shop? Will used or aftermarket body parts be used?
5. Trust your judgment. If something feels off or shady about a body shop, it probably is. Don’t feel like you need concrete evidence in order to dismiss it.

Repairs on modern cars can be expensive, but with these tips you should be able to find a shop offering fair prices and great work. Read more articles like this.