The impact caused by an automobile accident can do damage to more than just the frame or body of your automobile. The accident can also cause damage to your windshield. In some cases, the damage is obvious. You may see that the glass has large cracks in it or it may be shattered. In other cases, the damage may not be as obvious. Here are a few of the less obvious signs that your windshield may need to be replaced after you were involved in an automobile accident.
The Front Airbags Were Deployed
In some vehicles, the pressure that is created when the front airbags deploy in an accident can be enough to weaken or loosen the seal that holds your windshield in place. This tends to more commonly be the case with smaller vehicles, rather than larger vehicles. A great auto body repair shop knows which vehicles need to have their windshields replaced following the air bags being deployed.
You Hear a Rattling Noise While Driving
Another sign that your windshield may need to be replaced after an auto accident is hearing a rattling sound while you are driving. You are more likely to hear this rattling sound when you are driving on a rough or uneven road, or when you hit things such as potholes. The rattling will be light and will sound like it is coming from the windshield area or front of your vehicle. This can be caused due to the seal surrounding the windshield being broken or because there are cracks or breaks along the edges of the windshield that are not visible.
You Hear a Whistling Noise While Driving
Another sound you may hear if your windshield needs to be replaced after an auto accident is a whistling noise. Think about the sound you hear when you leave your window cracked and start to drive. If the seal that holds your windshield in place was damaged in the accident, air is entering your vehicle through that seal damage, creating the whistling or whooshing sound you may hear.
There is a White or Foggy Haze Around the Edges of the Windshield
The last sign that your windshield may need to be replaced after an auto accident is seeing a white or foggy haze around the edges of your windshield. This haze is more common in the mornings or following a rainy evening. This white or foggy haze is created by moisture, which indicates the seal that holds your windshield in place is damage.
Following an automobile accident, an autobody repair shop can take a look at your entire vehicle, including your windshield, and help you determine if the windshield should be replaced after an accident. You have the right to take your vehicle to any licensed autobody repair center following an accident. At Certified Collision Center, we have eight convenient locations across the Central Valley and Northern California region ready to help you get your car back to its pre-accident state. Call us now to schedule an inspection appointment.