3 Things You Should Do Following a Minor Car Crash

Tony Mers • February 22, 2018

Every year, there are roughly 6 million auto accidents that occur on U.S. roads.

Though many of those accidents are severe and often result in serious injuries or worse, the majority of collisions on the U.S. roads aren’t as severe. Minor accidents and fender benders happen all the time and are an inevitable part of driving, but there are good ways and bad ways of handling these situations.

Far too many drivers, both young and old, ignore any damage received during a minor accident and only tend to their vehicle’s needs after a serious crash. That’s a terrible move for a few reasons: your car might look worse with any dents or scratches on it, there could potentially be underlying issues with your car that result in major problems down the road, and you should always want to drive the best possible version of your vehicle. On top of that, that minor damage could seriously affect the value of your car should you decide to sell or replace your current vehicle!

Immediately following a minor car crash, it’s essential that you still do the following things:


  1. Check your car’s battery -- One issue that occurs a lot following minor collisions is a reduction in a car’s battery life. Bring your vehicle into a car body shopto get your battery looked at if you don’t know what to look for.

  2. Inspect every inch of your car’s exterior -- Even the smallest car collision can cause dents, scratches, and issues with the paint job. After a crash, you should carefully take a look at every single inch of your vehicle and see if you have to have any additional assistance.

  3. Have your vehicle’s undercarriage looked at -- You most likely don’t have the equipment to lift your car up in the area and have a look underneath yourself, so you should bring it to a team of professionals who can. That’s where a quality car body shop comes in.

Whether you need collision repair, auto glass repair, paint assistance, bumper repair, dent repair, or simply want to learn more about taking care of your own vehicle, you need to work with a team of experienced professionals. Visit a trusted car body shop as soon as your vehicle has succumbed to any damage. If you’re in the Chicago area, your best bet is to contact River North Collision Repair right away!

5 Tips for Driving Safely and Avoiding Accidents in Chicago
By River North Collision Repair September 10, 2025
Master Chicago’s challenging roads with these five essential tips to drive safely through the city. Protect your car from costly accidents and body damage.
The front of a vehicle with damage to the bumper. There are scrapes, and part of the bumper is missi
August 21, 2025
Learn proven methods to repair cracked bumpers without costly replacement. Save money with the right professional auto body repair in Chicago.
Our 4 Best Ways To Protect Your Car From Hail
By Tony Mers August 7, 2025
Don't let hailstorms damage your car's paint! Learn four proven methods to protect your vehicle from hail damage with these affordable solutions.
A worker painting the exterior of a car blue. Inside the car, the area is sealed to prevent paint fr
July 31, 2025
Discover what affects car painting costs, from vehicle size to paint quality. Get the insider knowledge to make smart decisions for your paint job.
A person washing the front of their car with a yellow sponge. There is white soap across the hood of
By River North Collision Repair July 31, 2025
Protect your investment with helpful cleaning tips for fresh paint and repairs by learning the dos and don’ts of washing your car after body work.
By River North Collision Repair June 25, 2025
Learn the cost of paintless dent removal and how factors like dent size and location impact pricing. Find out why this method is fast and affordable.
By River North Collision Repair June 17, 2025
It’s unfortunately common for drivers to hit a deer. Learn the four steps to take after hitting a deer to ensure your safety and repair your vehicle promptly.
By River North Collision Repair May 20, 2025
If your car needs repairs, find out what kind of techniques and equipment professionals use to clean up scratches without damaging your vehicle’s paint.
By River North Collision Repair May 9, 2025
Whether you collided with an obstacle or received a heavy blow on the side of your car, find out how to address vehicle damage after an accident.
By River North Collision Repair April 14, 2025
Looking to resell your car in the future? Discover how a paintless dent removal can preserve the value of your vehicle with these maintenance tips.