Rear-End Collision Damage Inspection Guide

Key Points

• Prevalence and severity of rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash in the United States, with approximately 1.7 million occurrences annually. These incidents can range from minor dings to severe damage, including injuries, vehicle total loss and hidden damages that may compromise future safety.
• Causes of rear-end collision damage: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies distracted driving as the cause of 87% of rear-end collisions. Other contributing factors include mechanical issues, speeding, heavy traffic, bad weather, reckless driving, road rage, driver fatigue and driving under the influence.
• Types of damage from rear-end collisions: Hidden damages from rear-end collisions can be difficult to detect without professional assessment. Common issues include alignment problems, engine and drivetrain damage, suspension issues, electrical problems and trunk damage, all of which can affect the vehicle's safety, functionality and value.
• Importance of professional inspection and repair: Vehicle owners are advised to conduct a thorough walk-around to inspect for visible and potential hidden damages after a rear-end collision. However, professional inspection by skilled collision repair technicians is crucial for identifying and addressing all damages to restore the vehicle to its original condition and ensure safety.
• Career opportunities in collision repair: The high incidence of road accidents, including rear-end collisions, underscores the demand for trained collision repair technicians. Programs like the Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program offered by Universal Technical Institute, developed in conjunction with I-CAR and featuring training on state-of-the-industry equipment, prepare students for entry-level roles in the field.¹

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash to occur in the United States. In fact, there are about 1.7 million rear-end collisions on U.S. roadways each year.

These types of collisions can range in severity, from driver and passenger injuries and totaled vehicles to minor rear-end collision damage. However, rear-end collisions can’t always be judged at first glance — even the smallest ding has the potential to cause hidden damage that can put your safety at risk in the future.

With millions of vehicles on the road today, accidents are unfortunately bound to happen. This means that the role of skilled collision repair technicians is essential. Keep reading to learn all about rear-end damage, including the problems that can occur (both visible and hidden) and what to do if it happens to you.

What Is a Rear-End Collision?

A rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. Most of the time, rear-end damage is caused by a square-on impact to your vehicle, but in some cases, your vehicle could be hit at an angle.

The way in which your vehicle is hit will greatly affect the type and severity of damage that can occur. These accidents are common in heavy traffic or at busy intersections where sudden stops are frequent.

What Causes a Rear-End Collision?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 87% of rear-end collisions occur due to distracted drivers.

If a driver doesn’t notice the vehicle in front of them, they don’t give themselves time to stop in order to avoid a collision. Common distractions include texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, eating, looking at accidents or interacting with passengers.

In addition to distracted driving, rear-end collisions can be caused by a variety of different factors, including:

• Mechanical issues.
• Speeding.
• Heavy traffic.
• Reckless driving habits.
• Weather that impairs vision.
• Road rage.
• Driver fatigue.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Types of Rear-End Damage 

The tricky thing about rear-end collision damage is that it’s often difficult to spot by the untrained eye. Even if your vehicle appears to be in perfect condition, there may be issues under the surface like rear-end frame damage that will only lead to bigger problems as time goes on.

Rear-end damage not only impacts the appearance, functionality and value of the car, but it can also put your safety at risk. For example, if your bumper is left damaged, it won’t be able to absorb shock and protect you in a future accident.

Now, let’s talk about the different types of damage that are likely to occur after a rear-end wreck.

Rear-end frame damage

Frame damage is often the most obvious issue following a rear-end crash. While this type of damage is no sight for sore eyes, the problem is rarely a matter of mere cosmetics.  

A vehicle’s framework, often referred to as the chassis, helps maintain alignment and stability. When compromised, it can cause misalignment, impaired handling, uneven tire wear and more.

The integrity of other vital components like the suspension and drivetrain can be compromised, as well. Failing to address the secondary effects of rear-end frame damage can significantly reduce vehicle safety and performance.

Alignment problems

A common form of damage to occur after a rear-end wreck is alignment problems. If your vehicle starts pulling to one side of the road while you drive, it could be a key indicator that there are issues with its alignment. Additionally, if you notice any of these signs, there is likely an alignment problem: 

• The vehicle vibrates.

• Noisy steering.
• Rapid or uneven tire wear.
• The steering wheel is crooked.
• Squealing tires.

Even if a vehicle’s alignment is only slightly off, it can put unnecessary stress on the brakes, tires, suspension and other various parts—causing them to wear out faster than they should.

It can also pose serious safety threats and increase the chances of another accident occurring. For all of these reasons, it’s important to take your vehicle in for inspection as soon as possible if you suspect misalignment.

Engine damage

The engines found in today’s cars are very complex and delicate. Unfortunately, rear-end damage does have the potential to compromise the engine’s performance. If you notice that the “check engine” light turns on after being in a collision, you’ll want to take your car to a technician immediately.

The impact from a rear-end crash can also damage your car’s drivetrain. The force can move the exhaust system forward, resulting in damage to the catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, muffler, engine mounts and the “Y” pipe that runs to your engine.

Additionally, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles have transmission components near the rear of the car, which can become damaged in collisions. Signs that your transmission has been damaged include your car leaking transmission fluid or issues with acceleration and shifting.

Suspension issues

A car’s suspension system plays a critical role in keeping the vehicle in control and having a smooth ride. Essentially, the suspension system maximizes the friction between tires and the road, allowing the driver to steer and handle the vehicle. It protects the passengers and the vehicle by limiting the impact of road conditions.

As mentioned above, rear-end collisions often result in frame damage, which can put stress on the suspension system of the vehicle and cause the shocks, struts and other parts to wear out faster. Additionally, as mentioned, poor alignment can also put more pressure on suspension components.

If your vehicle’s suspension isn’t working properly, the ride will be rough, and your car will be difficult to control. If the car is left in this state, suspension damage will only worsen and compromise your safety and the value of your vehicle.

Electrical mishaps

Today’s vehicles are more technically advanced than ever before. Even the smallest tap can loosen the wires to your taillights, brake lights or battery.

Each of these parts is essential to staying safe on the road, so it’s important to ensure they’re always intact—especially after a collision. In most cases, you’ll need a technician to examine the electrical components of your vehicle.

Trunk damage

While trunk damage may not affect your ability to drive the vehicle, it should never be overlooked. Trunk issues can present safety hazards, and they also reduce the value of the car greatly.

Your trunk should open and close with ease, and securely lock. When driving down the road, a damaged trunk can pop open and block your rear view or startle the driver behind you, which is likely to lead to another rear-end accident. While it might seem low risk, it’s always wise to repair any sort of trunk damage you may have.

Can a Car Be Totaled From a Rear-End Collision?

A car can be totaled from a rear-end collision. The term "totaled" refers to a situation where the cost of repairs exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicle's value, often around 70-80%, as determined by insurance companies.

In a rear-end wreck, the extent of damage to the vehicle’s frame, engine, transmission and other essential components plays a role in this determination. If the impact is severe enough, the repair costs can quickly add up, making it difficult to restore the vehicle to its pre-accident condition.

Rear-end collisions can cause issues that jeopardize a car's structural integrity and functionality. For instance, damage to the rear frame can lead to misalignment issues, which affect the vehicle's handling and safety.

If the impact reaches the engine or transmission, it can result in costly mechanical repairs. Insurance companies assess these damages and compare the repair estimates with the car's market value. If the repair costs are high relative to the vehicle's worth, they may declare it a total loss. This decision also considers the safety implications of driving a compromised vehicle.

What To Do if You Have Rear-End Collision Damage

If your vehicle has been hit, the first thing to do is complete what’s called a “walk-around.” This involves walking around your vehicle to inspect for damage that might not be obvious at first.

Walk-around checklist:

• Look at the trunk and door gaps: Take a close look at the trunk and door gaps and ensure that they are even all the way around the doors and trunk—there should not be any tight spots. You will also want to look at the trunk and door openings for any distortions in these areas.
• Look at the taillights and rear bumper: Pay close attention to the taillights and rear bumper and how they fit on your vehicle. Compare the left side to the right side to ensure they fit the same and have the same gaps.
• Look at the vehicle quarter panels, sail panel and vehicle roof: If the impact was severe, you are likely to notice damage in these areas. Buckles are the result of the vehicle experiencing sag, mash or side sway during the rear-end wreck.
• Look under the rear of the vehicle: Examine the left and right rear rails and the trunk floor plan. If any of these areas are distorted or kinked, this is a sign of rear-end impact.
• Look at the rear suspension area: If the mounting area of the rear suspension or suspension components were damaged, this could cause the vehicle to drive and handle poorly.

Inspecting your car can help to give you an idea of what type of damage you’re dealing with. However, you should always take it to a professional at a trusted auto body shop. There, a skilled collision repair technician can look over your vehicle and give you a detailed plan of action to restore it to its original condition.

Unfortunately, damage that is not repaired is likely to get worse over time. This can lead to costly repairs down the road, so it’s best to always be proactive and take your car in as soon as possible. Additionally, unless you’re a trained collision repair technician yourself, never attempt to complete a rear-end repair on your own, as this has the potential to make the damage worse.

FAQs

How is rear-end collision frame damage repaired by professionals?

Typically, rear-end repair involves using advanced frame-straightening machines to realign the chassis. In some cases, portions of the damaged frame may need to be cut out and replaced to restore the structural integrity fully. A collision repair technician will also assess other systems and components, like the engine and suspension.

Who is usually at fault in a rear-end collision?

In most cases, the rear driver is at fault because they’re responsible for maintaining a safe distance between their car and the vehicle in front of them.

Can you drive with rear-end frame damage?

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Rear-end frame damage can present as nothing more than a cosmetic issue, but that’s rarely the case. Even if it is, driving on a damaged frame can affect other vehicle components over time. If you get in a rear-end collision, consider having your car towed to a collision repair shop where an auto body technician can assess the issue.

Learn How To Repair Rear-End Collision Damage

Collision repair technicians can spot and repair damage the average person can't. If this sounds like an exciting career to you, consider training at Universal Technical Institute (UTI).

Our Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program was developed in conjunction with I-CAR, a leading brand in the industry, to help equip students with the skills today’s employers look for.¹

As a graduate of the CRRT program, you’ll earn valuable I-CAR certifications and are prepared to test for additional auto body repair certifications. This can help you to distinguish yourself as a technician and give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs in the industry.

Request more info to speak to an Admissions Representative about the program or visit a campus near you:

• Long Beach, California 
• Houston, Texas