If you’ve been involved in a minor accident, like a simple fender bender, you may not see any serious or extensive damage to your vehicle. If there is damage present, you may be tempted to chalk it up to cosmetic damage and continue driving without getting it checked out. This can be dangerous because even minor collisions can affect your car’s alignment. Alignment issues aren’t always immediately visible, so it’s important to be on the lookout for the signs to prevent further damage and ensure safe driving. Here’s how to tell if your vehicle’s alignment is off after an accident:
Visual Signs
The first thing to be on the lookout for is visual indicators of alignment issues. One of the easiest to notice is gaps between body panels. In other words, if your doors, hood or trunk don’t line up with the panels beside them, either they’re crooked or there are large gaps between them, this could be a sign of alignment issues. Body panels should be seamless and parallel across your entire vehicle. If an accident has caused frame misalignment, this is usually one of the first visible signs.
Noises and Vibrations
Unusual noises coming from your car is never a good sign. This is especially true after an accident. Strange noises can indicate many issues, including misalignment. If your tires are making a squealing sound, this could mean that an alignment problem is causing them to scrape against the road instead of rolling evenly on it. You may notice this when you’re accelerating, turning or braking. You may also notice that your steering wheel vibrates aggressively. When there’s a suspension misalignment, your tires may push against each other instead of maintaining balance and working together, causing this aggressive shaking.
Changes in Vehicle Handling
One of the most obvious signs of vehicle misalignment is a change in how the vehicle handles. Steering may feel stiff, seem loose or pull to one side. If you notice yourself having to pull the steering wheel to one side in order to keep the car moving straight, this is a sign of an alignment issue. Whether your vehicle is veering to one side or your steering wheel is vibrating aggressively, misalignment can make controlling your vehicle difficult. This can lead to significant safety concerns and even future accidents.
Trouble Opening the Hood, Trunk, or Doors
When your vehicle has a frame misalignment, those gaps between the panels aren’t just unattractive and concerning, they can pose a functional problem, too. You may find yourself having to force the trunk, hood or doors open or closed. Not only may you see big gaps, you may also see elements that slightly overlap or are bumping into each other. The trunk, hood and doors not sitting flush when closed or being difficult to open and close are all signs of misalignment that may get worse over time if not properly addressed.
Uneven Tire Wear
An aligned vehicle will have tires with even wear all around. On one that’s misaligned, however, the tires will hit the road at different angles, causing uneven tire wear. If you notice that the tread of one tire is wearing faster or differently than the others, this is a sign of an alignment issue. Uneven tire wear isn’t just an expensive problem; it’s a safety concern, as well. It can shorten the lifespan of your tires and can cause handling problems due to traction issues.
Why a Professional Damage Assessment is Important
Alignment problems present many significant safety issues. From faster tire wear and steering problems to difficult handling, all of these issues can affect your ability to control the car, compromising your safety and the safety of others on the road. Even if your car looks fine after an accident, it’s important to get a professional damage assessment at a collision center to ensure your car is not only safe to drive but that more costly damage isn’t done over time.
Curreri Collision is a Rhode Island collision center with over 30 years of industry experience. We have the knowledge and tools to restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition and get you back on the road safely. If you’ve been involved in an accident and are noticing signs of alignment issues, don’t hesitate to call us at (401) 934-2300 or contact us online for a professional damage assessment.