When Not to Drive Your Vehicle After an Accident

If you and your vehicle have become involved in a collision on the road, your first impulse may be to drive to the nearest auto body shop in Utah. Before you get back behind the wheel, however, it’s important to take a few minutes to determine whether it’s safe to drive your vehicle. Here are a few of the circumstances under which you should never attempt to drive a vehicle after an accident:

You have a flat tire. Even if you only need to drive a short distance, it’s not safe to drive a car with a flat tire. Trying to drive on a flat tire can do additional damage to your vehicle and end up costing you much more than you would have had to pay otherwise. If any of your tires was damaged in the accident, have your vehicle towed to the shop.

Smoke is coming from the engine. There are numerous reasons why you might see smoke or steam coming from under your hood. It may mean that your engine is overheating, or it could be caused by a coolant leak. In any event, it’s better to be safe than sorry and have your vehicle towed, rather than trying to take it on the road yourself.

Your vehicle handles differently. If there is no visible damage, you may try to drive your car to the shop yourself. Pay close attention, however, to the way the vehicle handles on the road. If anything feels noticeably different—such as slower response time when you brake or turn the steering wheel—it could indicate invisible damage. It might be best to avoid driving your vehicle until you can determine what the damage is.

When you’re in need of capable repairs for your car, come to Dave’s Body Shop. If you’ve been in an accident and your vehicle isn’t safe to drive, we offer 24-hour emergency towing services and a secure storage area. Our Utah body shop has been offering state-of-the-art vehicle repairs since 1942. To find out more about our services, visit our website or call us at (801) 850-0397.