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Automotive collisions can range from life-changing events to minor inconveniences, but many fall between these extremes. Unfortunately, just as it's not easy to judge a book by its cover, it can be challenging to determine just how costly a collision might be. Even minor collisions typically require an adjuster or a professional autobody shop to perform a complete evaluation and estimate.

But what if you only have a small dent on your bumper? Isn't that a minor problem you can safely ignore, assuming you don't mind the negative impact on your car's appearance? As it turns out, the answer is actually generally "no." Even if the damage seems cosmetic, there's always the potential for more severe problems lurking beneath the surface.

What Makes Minor Accidents So Challenging?

Modern vehicle design has essentially eliminated the concept of low-speed, low-damage accidents. Most vehicles on the road, including cars, SUVs, and CUVs, use a unibody design. This engineering approach means nearly every part of the vehicle is structurally important, eliminating the discrete frames and bodies found on older vehicles.

Additionally, modern vehicle collision design utilizes sacrificial elements such as crumple zones. Engineers design these parts of your vehicle to fail intentionally, absorbing energy to protect vehicle occupants at the expense of the vehicle itself. Even your car's bumper is a decorative cover over more sophisticated collision protection components.

To further complicate matters, many cars include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that rely on numerous sensors scattered throughout the vehicle. Since these sensors must detect objects and conditions around the car, manufacturers need to install them in vulnerable places, such as on bumpers. Even low-speed collisions can damage these sensitive components.

What Happens During a Full Evaluation and Estimate?

Taking your car to an auto collision center for a full estimate following even a minor accident is critical to determine if there are any underlying mechanical, electronic, or structural issues. Even if you're okay with leaving minor cosmetic damage in place, an experienced auto collision center will scan your car's computer, look for signs of mechanical damage, and check for frame misalignments.

Driving your car with unnoticed damage from a collision won't just affect its performance; it can also affect its safety. For example, a minor collision may cause damage to your bumper's internal components, making it less able to absorb the impact of any future collisions. This situation can put you, your passengers, or other drivers at risk.

With modern vehicles, it's not worth taking any chances. If your car suffered more than a minor scrape in an accident, you shouldn't hesitate to have a local auto collision repair shop perform an estimate and rule out hidden damage.