The Deadly Cost of Distracted Driving Driving requires your full attention, yet thousands of people lose their lives every year because of a split-second distraction. At Sharp Auto Body, we see the aftermath of these accidents every day. While we take pride in restoring your vehicle, we prioritize your safety above all else. Understanding the…
Road Debris Dangers: How to Protect Your Vehicle Road debris represents a significant hazard that transforms a routine drive into a dangerous gamble. Whether you encounter a shredded tire, a stray nail, or fallen cargo, these obstacles appear without warning. Consequently, drivers often have only split seconds to react. Understanding these risks is crucial for…
The Ultimate Safety Feature: Why Driver Awareness Still Rules the Road Automotive manufacturers today pack vehicles with an incredible array of built-in safety features. From automatic emergency braking to lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control, modern cars act like high-tech bodyguards. However, many drivers fall into a dangerous trap: they believe the car is…
Liability vs. Full Coverage: Which Auto Insurance Protects Your Legacy? Navigating the world of auto insurance often feels like learning a second language. Between the legal jargon and the fine print, many drivers find themselves asking one critical question: Am I actually covered? At Sharp Auto Body, we have seen firsthand how the right insurance…
Mastering the Maze: How to Survive Illinois Construction Zones If you live in Illinois, you know the local joke: we only have two seasons—winter and construction. While neither is particularly pleasant, both are completely unavoidable for local drivers. Navigating a sea of orange cones can be stressful, but your safety (and the safety of the…
Master the Roundabout Flow Roundabouts are efficient intersections, but navigating them can be a little tricky if you’re not used to their unique flow. However, adopting a few key habits can ensure you have a safe and smooth experience every time. Follow these tips to master the roundabout like a pro. Prepare Before You Enter…
Mastering Blind Hazards: Turns and Spots Safe driving requires more than just knowing your vehicle; it demands active awareness of the road’s hidden dangers. Two critical challenges frequently test a driver’s vigilance: blind turns and the ever-present vehicle blind spot. Understanding these hazards and proactively addressing them drastically reduces your risk of an accident.The Danger…
Can I Fight the Insurance Company’s Decision to Total My Car? After an accident, the last thing you want to hear is that your car has been declared a “total loss.” You may have an emotional attachment to your vehicle, or you might believe it can be repaired safely and affordably. So, what can you…
Should I repair my car after an accident? You’ve just been involved in an accident where you hit someone with your car. It’s crucial to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive before using it again. Even if the damage seems minor, you should have a professional inspection. They will assess any potential issues…
What Is Diminished Value — and What Can You Do About It? If your vehicle has been in an accident, even after high-quality repairs, it may never be worth quite as much as it was before the collision. This difference in market value is known as diminished value. It can significantly impact how much your…
What Happens If an Insurance Company Short Pays a Claim? If you’ve ever filed a claim after an accident, you expect your insurance company to cover the full cost of your repairs. But what happens when your insurance company “short pays” your claim—meaning they don’t pay the full amount for your vehicle repair? It’s a…
The Truth About Collision Repair: What You Need to Know After an Accident Car accidents can feel overwhelming, no matter how big or small. In the moments after a collision, emotions run high, decisions feel urgent, and the path forward may seem unclear. But knowing what to do next makes all the difference. From ensuring…
What to Ask Before Choosing an Auto Body Shop: Key Questions That Can Save You Time, Money, and Headaches When your vehicle needs repairs after an accident or for routine bodywork, choosing the right auto body shop is one of the most important decisions you can make. The quality of the repair, the cost, the…
Smart Choices: How to Find the Right Auto Body Shop Through Recommendations and Reviews Choosing the right auto body shop can feel overwhelming when it comes to needing repairs, whether it’s due to an accident, hail damage, or general wear and tear. After all, you’re not just looking for a quick fix. You want trustworthy…
After a car accident or unexpected damage, one of the first steps in the recovery process is getting a car insurance estimate. This document plays a crucial role in determining how much your insurance provider will pay toward your repairs—and how quickly you can get back on the road. But what exactly is a car…
What every driver should know after a minor accident. You’re backing out of a parking space. You look both ways—traffic is clear. So you proceed. Then, crunch. That gut-wrenching sound of your fender collapsing fills your ears. You slam the brakes and realize with sinking horror: you’ve backed into one of those short cement poles…
You’re sitting at a stoplight, or making a turn, when suddenly out of nowhere – BAM! Everything inside the car goes flying as your grip on the steering wheel tightens and you sit there in a fog wondering what the heck just happened. Sound familiar? Hopefully not, but odds are, you will be in a…
Being in an accident is stressful enough. Add in the hassle of getting your car repaired and it can feel overwhelming, especially when the accident wasn’t your fault. The third-party insurance company will often work hard to avoid paying the full cost of your repairs, while you, as the claimant, are left trying to make…
Selecting a deductible is one of the most important things to consider when comparing coverage across insurance companies. A high-deductible car insurance policy brings different financial consequences than a policy with a low deductible. What exactly is a deductible? If you file a car insurance claim after an incident, the deductible is the amount you pay…
We’ve already talked about the importance of airbags after a crash—but airbags are just one piece of your vehicle’s complex safety puzzle. Modern cars are loaded with advanced technology and interconnected systems, and even a minor accident can throw everything off balance. So, after any type of collision—even a low-speed fender bender—it’s critical to get…
Most modern vehicles are designed with improved safety features that reduce the likelihood of a rollover during a crash. However, it is important to understand that no vehicle is entirely immune. Certain driving conditions, behaviors, and vehicle types still pose significant risks. Top-heavy vehicles such as SUVs, pickup trucks, and Jeeps are especially prone to…
What Happens If An Uninsured Driver Hits You? If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you’ll likely need to turn to your own insurance provider for compensation. That’s where uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage becomes crucial. UIM coverage helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other injury-related costs if someone without insurance…
When you sign up for auto insurance, it might feel like you’re taking a responsible step—protecting yourself, your car, and your future. But take a closer look, and it starts to resemble something far less comforting: a high-stakes bet. Because let’s be honest—insurance is, in many ways, like gambling. You’re wagering that somewhere down the…
A rear-end accident occurs when a driver collides with the vehicle directly in front of them from behind. These types of accidents commonly happen at red lights, stop signs, or in congested traffic where vehicles frequently stop and start. While the majority of rear-end collisions occur at low speeds—such as in city traffic or parking…
Did you know that there are 13 car accidents in America every 60 seconds? That means over 6.5 million people will be involved in an auto accident this year! An estimated 42,915 people died in car crashes in 2021, a 10.5% increase from 2020. Accidents cost the economy approximately $474 billion in 2020. Some sobering statistics. These statistics show…
Airbags help save lives, but they also come with certain risks. Airbags automatically inflate in the event of a collision. But they don’t always go off. There’s a reason for that and it has nothing to do with a malfunction. It’s all about the electrical connection between the impact sensor and the air bag. The…
Safety First In the event of a collision, your airbag and seat belt work together to minimize injury. The airbag alone is not enough to prevent you from hitting the windshield or dashboard if you’re sitting in the front seat. Similarly, while a seat belt significantly reduces the risk of serious injury, it does not…
Some accidents are straight forward as far as who the claimant is. For instance, if you’re rear-ended, the other party is at fault. You would be the claimant. They are considered the policy holder. If the accident is as a result of a lane change or in an intersection, the responsibility can become muddied. Were…
Sharp Auto Body has been in business over 40 years. They’ve seen and heard it all. So what can you learn from them? If you have any questions related to collisions and auto repair, even if you’re using another body shop, call Sharp Auto Body. There’s questions you should be asking before any repairs take…
Have you ever taken your car to a repair shop after an accident, only to have your insurance company push back on the cost? Maybe they claimed the shop was overcharging you or that certain repairs weren’t necessary. Or worse—have you ever had a repair shop tell you they “discovered” new damage that wasn’t there…
Although most modern vehicles are designed to make it more difficult to rollover during a crash, certain conditions make rollovers possible in any vehicle, especially more top-heavy models like SUVs, pickups and Jeeps. Here are ways to help prevent a rollover crash: • Perform tire maintenance. Improperly inflated and worn tires impede your ability to…
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