If you have been in a rear-end collision, you might be wondering what damages you should look for including whether or not your brakes could have been damaged in the crash. Even if it was a minor impact, your car can suffer damage that isn't visible right away including damage to your car's brakes.
Your vehicle's brakes should be carefully examined by a mechanic after a crash. The impact can result in a leak in the brake line or can even cause damage to other brake components.
The force on your vehicle in a rear-ender when you are stationary can cause not only exterior damage to your vehicle but damage to your brakes as well. There are different ways of determining whether there has been damage to your brakes.
The first indication is if you are able to hear a grinding or squeaking noise coming from your brakes when you hit the brake pedal the chances are your brake pads are worn and need servicing. If the steering wheel shakes or there is vibration when you hit the brakes, this could be due to an uneven rotor.
If you’re experiencing a soft brake pedal, have a mechanic take a look at it to see if there is fluid leaking from the master cylinder or elsewhere in the brake system. Any of these brake problems could happen in a rear end accident so after this accident you should get a service technician to check your brakes so you can include any damage in your personal injury.
The emergency braking when you see a car coming up behind you and you are bracing yourself can put extra strain on the brake system. Broken brake lines can be an expensive fix, and the damages to your braking system can end up costing hundreds of dollars to repair.
Some brake damages leave your car inoperable and the vehicle must be towed to a repair shop and cannot be driven until the repairs are done.
Get The Brakes Inspected By A Reputable Shop
Take your vehicle to a reputable mechanic and ask them to thoroughly inspect your vehicle's brake system and other mechanical parts that could have been damaged by the impact. The mechanic will take note of any problems and will be able to determine if the damages or problems that exist are a result of the rear-end collision.
You will need written documentation to use in negotiations with the insurance company. Any damages that were caused by the crash should be covered by auto insurance, so make sure you include any brake damages in your personal property damages portion of your personal injury claim. You can outline everything in a car accident demand letter.
While the mechanic is inspecting your brakes, ask them to look for any other possible damage that might have resulted from the crash. Rear-ended while stopped collisions can also damage the transaxle and other mechanical parts.
These parts are working and then suffer a sudden impact that throws them out of whack, often resulting in mechanical issues that overlooked during the initial evaluation of your vehicle at a body shop.
Damages to Brakes that Could Occur
If you were involved in a rear end collision, it could in fact case damage to your brakes. A rear-end collision can cause brakes to be placed under additional stress. The additional stress from the re-end accident can cause the brakes to wear down quicker than usual.
If your brakes from the rear end collision did cause break damage, then you need to address that right away and get that repaired from either a local mechanic or auto manufacturer's collision center to get them repaired.
Getting The Repairs Addressed
Make sure you ask your mechanic to:
- Itemize the cost of repairing the brakes and any other damages
- Make note of why the repairs were needed
- Record why he felt the impact from the rear-end collision caused the damages
- If possible, take photos of the parts that are damaged as a result of the crash prior to the repairs
After all, you want to make sure all your bases are covered so the insurance company will cover the costs of the repairs that were needed because of the rear-end collision.
Here is some more information on what to do after a rear end collision.
How Much Does Brake Damage Cost?
When it comes to speculating how much brake damage costs to fix, it will depend on how badly damaged the brakes are and what kind of vehicle was the victim of a rear-ender. In the case of a typical vehicle, an estimate of the average cost of replacing front brake pads is likely to be below $50, the front rotors cost about $50 per wheel, so this is a total of about $150.
It is not just the spare parts that can be included in a PI claim but the price of labor has to be included as well. Because a good working brake system is vital as it enables you to stop carefully and quickly in an emergency it’s important that any damage is fixed by a qualified tradesman.
There are other parts such as rotors and calipers that may need replacing as well. Altogether, you can expect to pay in the region of $300 up to $1,000 with an average repair bill of $500.
If the driver who rear ended your vehicle was found to have been negligent when the accident took place you may be able to claim the cost of repairing the brake damage from that driver’s insurer. You will have to provide all the evidence necessary to prove who and what caused the accident.
This is necessary before the at fault driver’s insurer will even consider paying for the brake damage.
Consult With An Auto Accident Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in a rear-end collision that has left you injured or your car damaged, you need to consult with a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer can determine what damages you suffered and the value of your personal injury claim.
A lawyer can help you get your claim on track, and help you recover compensation for the damages that resulted from the accident. Schedule a free case evaluation with an auto accident injury attorney today.
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