Have you ever returned to your parked car after an appointment, a day at work, or an errand to find that there’s a big crack in your windshield? It’s a dismaying sight, to be sure, largely because it means that you will have to spend time and money getting it fixed.

However, it is important to address a cracked windshield right away before it leads to other problems. Read on to learn how to deal with this situation.

What Causes Cracks?

There are several reasons that your windshield might have developed a crack. These include:

• Tree branches or tree nuts falling onto the car
• Debris kicked up from another vehicle while you are driving
• A piece of gravel impacting the windshield as you drive on a gravel road
• Extreme temperature changes
• Changes in air pressure
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Poor quality glass
• Poor windshield installation procedures

Depending on the cause and the structural integrity of your windshield itself, there may be only a small chip, pit, or crack. There could be a large spiderweb of cracks.

Why Repair a Cracked Windshield?

If your windshield only has minor damage, and it doesn’t interfere with your line of vision as the driver, you may be tempted to leave it as-is. There are plenty of other ways to spend your money that are much more fun.

This isn’t a good idea, though. For starters, a small crack or chip can often be repaired. This will prevent the crack from spreading and avoid the necessity of having the entire windshield replaced.

Second, driving with a cracked windshield is illegal in most states. You could be stopped and ticketed. And if you don’t take care of it, your car or truck will fail inspection.

Perhaps the most important factor is the safety of you and your passengers. A damaged windshield is a weak windshield. If you get into an accident, you are more likely to be injured by the flying glass. The airbags might not deploy correctly, as well.

Additionally, windshields help provide support in the event of a rollover accident. Without that support, a car crash could result in serious injuries or even death.

Can You DIY It?

You’ve probably seen DIY windshield repair kits for sale. Yes, you can use one of these as a short-term fix until you get to the auto body shop, but they are not recommended as a permanent solution.

Instead, take your car to the professionals and have the job done right. It really doesn’t take that long, and many shops offer while-you-wait or same-day services. Not only is it a relatively quick fix, but most insurance companies will cover the cost of a repair or replacement.

In other words, you’ve really got no excuse!

Don’t Let a Crack Stop You In Your Tracks

Dealing with a cracked windshield is an inconvenience, but it’s a minor one. Issues like these are part and parcel of being a driver and owning your own car. In the majority of instances, you can get the repair or replacement taken care of right away and at no cost to you.

Does your vehicle need a little TLC? Give us a call or fill out our contact form today!

Data shows that there are over 6 million car accidents each year in the United States. That breaks down to about 90 accidents per day!

An accident can result in major repair costs, serious injuries, or even fatalities.

Even if you’re a great driver, it’s important to know that accidents can happen. To keep yourself safe, you’ll need to learn about the most common types of car accidents.

We’ve outlined five of the most common accident types below, so keep reading and arrive alive!

1. Rear-End Collisions

It happens all the time. You take your eyes off of the road for just a second to rearrange something by your center console. Next thing you know, you’re having a less than friendly chat with the driver in front of you about how you’re going to pay for their car damage.

Whoops.

Findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that rear-end collisions are the most common accident type, accounting for 29% of all accidents.

The good news is that rear-end collisions are also some of the easiest to prevent. Keep your eyes on the road at all times, and make sure to leave several car lengths between yourself and the drivers ahead of you.

2. Head-On Collisions

While rear-end collisions rarely cause injury other than a little bit of soreness, head-on collisions are far more dangerous. As the name would suggest, a head-on collision occurs when the front ends of two vehicles collide.

Like rear-end collisions, most head-on collisions are caused by sheer negligence.

Always look where you’re going, and keep an eye on other drivers. Not everyone is going to follow the rules of the road as close as they should.

3. Side-Impact (T-Bone)

In a T-bone accident, the front end of a vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. And yes, they’re every bit as scary as they sound.

T-bone collisions often occur when a driver speeds through an intersection, ignoring traffic signs or right-of-way.

A T-bone collision can result in any number of injuries, including broken bones, whiplash, and in extreme cases, death.

4. Single-Car Accident

You might think it takes two to tango, but that isn’t always the case.

Single-car accidents are rare but pack some major consequences. For instance, it’s almost impossible to prove that the driver wasn’t at-fault when one vehicle is involved.

Less extreme cases of single-car accidents include embarrassing collisions, such as backing up into another vehicle when leaving a parking lot.

5. Vehicle Rollover

Technically speaking, a vehicle rollover is a type of single-car accident. More often than not, a rollover occurs due to hazardous road conditions like ice.

If you’re in a snowy area like Pennsylvania, it’s wise to get your vehicle checked out before each winter. Your local body shop will test your brakes and steering to ensure that your vehicle is in good shape for the colder weather.

Learn to Avoid These Common Types of Car Accidents

You owe it to yourself, your passengers, and your fellow drivers to stay safe on the roadways of Pennsylvania. Each time you head out, remember what you’ve learned about the various types of car accidents today. And stay vigilant about road safety.

If you find yourself in need of vehicle repair or you’d like a quick tune-up before temperatures take a dip, get in touch today.