Archive for the ‘Safe Driving Tips’ Category

5 Tips for Driving in a Flood

Posted on: May 26th, 2022 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 1 Comment

driving in a flood Flooding is not as common in Denver as in some cities. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, and sometimes for surprising reasons. In mid-April, part of the Berkeley neighborhood flooded because of a water main break. Floods can cause damage to vehicles, but if you make the wrong move when driving in flooded areas, the consequences can be much worse: you can lose your car or be swept away and killed.

Here are some tips so you can avoid damage to your car. If your car does suffer damage, however, let Accurate Auto Body help. We can repair collision damage to the car’s body to help it look and drive like new again.

Tip #1: Don’t Drive in Water If You Can Avoid It

Whenever possible, try to avoid driving in standing water or moving water. Because we’re not used to much flooding in Denver, the Denver police aren’t good at putting up barricades to mark high waters. Don’t assume that the absence of barricades means that it’s safe to drive through water. If there are barricades marking high water – don’t pass them.

It doesn’t take much water to make your car lose control, cause damage to the car, or even stall your car. If your car isn’t specialized to deal with water, it’s best to just take a different route if you encounter flooded streets.

Tip #2: Drive in the Middle of the Road

If you must drive in flooded roads, drive in the middle of the road. Roads are designed high in the center and low on the edges, so most of the time the water will be shallower when you travel in the middle. This can cause congestion as cars traveling in opposite directions must take turns. Be polite and patient – it will slow you down even more if you drive aggressively and get in an accident or try to navigate a lower part of the road and get stuck.

Tip #3: Try to Gauge the Depth of Water Before Entering

Never enter water unless you have a good idea of its depth. The best way to know the depth of water is watching other cars travel through it. Then you can observe the depth. Avoid water that’s more than six inches deep (a little less than midway up most car’s tires).

If there are no other cars, you might estimate the depth of water on a familiar street. However, be warned that sometimes the bottom of the street washes out, or a newly formed pothole might cause deeper water than you expect.

Tip #4: Drive Slowly in Water

Driving through water significantly diminishes your car’s ability to grip the road. This can make it hard to keep control. Plus, trying to push through water too quickly can cause waves that create problems for you and other drivers. Enter water at around 1-2 miles per hour (mph), then climb to a speed of around 3-4 mph.

Tip #5: Don’t Try to Move a Stalled Car

Once your car stalls in water, you will likely have to leave it until you can get a tow after water recedes. Restarting the engine after it gets overwhelmed by water can cause irreparable damage. Getting out of the car and trying to push it out of the water puts you at risk of getting swept away. You might also be struck by debris in the current or by another car.

If the water level is stable, it might be safest to stay in the car and call for help. If the water level is rising, you will have to abandon the car and get to higher ground.

Why Choose Accurate Auto Body for Flood Damage to Your Car

Do you have flood damage to your car? Let Accurate Auto Body Help. Our highly skilled technicians have helped our auto body shop earn and maintain the elite I-CARR Gold rating. Our mechanics are factory trained by Honda and Toyota, but technical expertise is only part of the benefit of working with us. We maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau because of our high degree of customer satisfaction.

That’s thanks in large part to our Focus on You Service™ system. We take the time to listen to your repair needs and follow through, using our expertise to get it right the first time. We give you a guaranteed estimate and a guaranteed completion date. We work around your schedule, and you can check the progress on your car’s auto body repair at any time on our website.

Want to learn how our approach can benefit your car? Please call 303-344-2212 or contact us online to get a free repair estimate at our auto body shop in the Sunny Vale neighborhood of Aurora.

What Vehicles Need Snow Chains?

Posted on: February 28th, 2022 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

If you live in Colorado, you need to know about snow chains. The weather can turn snowy for most of the year, especially in the mountains. When the snow falls in the mountains, the steep grades can become dangerous, and snow chains are a way to reduce the danger of getting in a car accident. In addition, the law often requires that you carry chains and/or use them when conditions demand it.

At Accurate Auto Body, we hope that you can avoid getting in an accident, not to mention getting what can be a very expensive ticket – and tow charge – if your lack of chains ends up leading to an accident. That’s why we want to let you know the vehicle chain laws in Colorado. Note that this is distinct from the Colorado traction law.

Commercial Vehicle Chain Law

In Colorado, all commercial vehicles traveling on I-70 between the Dotsero exit (133) and the Morrison exit (259) must carry chains to be in compliance. This restriction is in place to ensure commercial vehicles don’t get stuck on the roads or get into accidents, causing blocked lanes that can shut down the highways. Accidents and being stranded can be dangerous, even deadly, for motorists.

The chain law can also be enacted for commercial vehicles at any time on other roads.

Colorado defines commercial vehicles as meeting one or more of the following criteria:

  • Having a gross vehicle weight of 16,001 pounds or more.
  • Having a gross combination weight of 16,001 pounds or more, including a towed unit, which has a gross vehicle weight-ration of more than 10,000 pounds.
  • Designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

These characteristics apply even if the vehicle is not being used for commercial purposes.

Passenger Vehicle Chain Law

For passenger vehicles, which are all vehicles weighing less than 16,001 pounds, a chain law is much less common. It is enacted when conditions on the road are slippery because of snow. Chain laws are enacted for passenger vehicles only under the worst conditions. When a chain law is in effect for passenger vehicles, the vehicle must have tire chains or alternate traction devices installed on two or more drive tires.

How to Know When a Chain Law Is in Effect

road sign instructing about snow chain requirements We noted above that chain laws are in effect for commercial vehicles traveling on I-70 for most of the year. However, you can check when and where chain laws are in effect on specific roads by going to CDOT’s COtrip events list. You can also sign up to get COtrip travel alerts on your phone.

If You Do Get in an Accident, Choose Accurate Auto Body

We hope you can avoid an accident this winter, in part by following chain and traction laws. However, if you do get into an accident that damages your car, choose Accurate Auto Body for your repairs.

We use our exclusive Focus On You Service System™ to ensure you get the best service and the best results from your auto body repair. We treat you with respect. Our friendly staff and welcomes you to our comfortable environment. We want you to feel at home and feel free to ask a question or speak up to get what you want from your repairs.

We’ll educate you on all your repairs so you know exactly what to expect when repairs are complete, and so you can choose the repair options that really matter to you. we can tell you about your repairs in the way you want, using either plain or technical language.

We provide you with guaranteed pricing and a guaranteed completion date. You have a budget, and you depend on your car. We make sure you don’t break your budget and get your car back with minimum disruption to your busy schedule. We also work around your schedule, allowing drop off and pickup times that fit your life.

When we fix your car, we do it right the first time. Our mechanics are factory certified by Honda and Toyota. Plus, our shop has achieved the coveted I-CAR Gold Class recognition. We have an A+ rating with the BBB, evidence that we satisfy our customers with our high-quality repairs.

We can even help coordinate your insurance claims, saving you time and hassle.

Want to receive an estimate on getting quality repairs on your vehicle? Please call 303-344-2212 or contact us online for a free estimate on your repairs.

7 Tips to Avoid a Winter Car Accident

Posted on: January 24th, 2022 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

auto body repair after a winter car accident With winter finally deciding to show up along the Front Range, we’re also seeing an increase in the number of car accidents related to the winter weather. At Accurate Auto Body, that means we’re plenty busy, so we’d just as soon it didn’t have to be your car in our shop. Here are some of our tips to help you avoid accidents when you’re driving in the snow.

Don’t Make Unnecessary Trips

You can’t get in a car accident if you’re not in your car. When the weather and road conditions are bad, it’s best to reduce the number of trips you’re taking. See if you can work remotely for the day. Avoid trips for recreation. Only go out for essential supplies. (Note: it’s a good idea to have some extra supplies on hand in Colorado so you can get through winter storms without needing to go to the store, even if it falls on your regular grocery day.)

Prepare Your Car

Make sure your car is in good condition for driving in snow and ice. Most important is your tires. These are going to make the most difference in your car’s performance for starting, stopping, and turning in snow and ice. Make sure your tires are in good shape. Consider switching to snow tires for winter, especially if you live in the mountains.

Also make sure your car has a good level of antifreeze, and that your wiper fluid reservoir is filled with a de-icing formula. Try to keep your gas tank close to full all winter long – you might be stuck in traffic for a long time and unable to get to a gas station.

Plus, it’s a good idea to have an emergency kit in your car in case the worst happens.

Check Road Conditions in Advance

If you do have to head out, check out road conditions before you go. Sometimes it might make sense to plan a different route than usual, one that sticks to streets that are more likely to be clear, avoids accidents, and limits hills.

Don’t forget that weather can roll in suddenly and change dramatically in Denver. Pay attention to the forecast and try to be in before the weather hits or be prepared for it to go bad while you’re out.

Clear Your Vehicle

clearing snow off car to prevent winter car accidents It’s a good idea to clear your vehicle fully before heading out. You want to have all your windows clear for full visibility, and you want to make sure that others can see your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.

Beyond that, try to clear as much snow as possible from the roof and hood of your car. This snow can get on your windows once you start moving. Besides, snow from your car can obscure the vision of other cars, which might make them more likely to hit you.

Go Slow and Keep Your Distance

This should go without saying, but you should go slow and increase distance between you and other cars when you’re driving in snow and ice. It can be frustrating taking so much longer to get home in the snow, but it’s a lot faster to drive slow than it is to get in an accident.

Avoid Abrupt Maneuvers

Avoid trying to do anything too suddenly in ice and snow. Accelerate slowly, brake gradually, and let yourself turn gently. Whenever possible, try not to steer and accelerate or brake at the same time.

If you find you missed a turn, it’s better to go around than to try to make a sudden maneuver, causing an accident. If you’re making a left turn, wait until the space between cars is wide enough to accommodate your slow acceleration.

Be In Your Best Shape for Driving

Winter driving takes all your skill and attention. Make sure you’re up to the task whenever you get behind the wheel. Don’t drive when tired. Try to avoid distractions or outside stress when you’re driving – the road conditions are stressful enough!

And, of course, don’t drink and drive, ever, especially not when the conditions are bad.

Why Choose Accurate Auto Body for Dent Repair

However, if you do end up getting into an accident, choose Accurate Auto Body for your dent repairs.

We are Toyota factory trained and Honda certified for collision repair. We also maintain I-CAR gold class certification, a testament to the quality of techniques we use and the level of training for our technicians. Our Focus on You Service™ system also means we offer guaranteed quotes and completion dates. We also guarantee the quality of our repairs. Our work is done right the first time. We can work around your schedule, and we will work with your insurance company.

To schedule a free estimate on your repairs, please call 303-344-2212 or contact us online.

Best Snow Tires for Colorado Mountains

Posted on: December 27th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 1 Comment

The Front Range experienced an extended snowless period in 2021, setting the record for the latest first snow in Denver, and almost tying the longest period without snow as of the time of this writing. This might make people who don’t spend time in the mountains think they don’t need snow tires.

However, the Colorado Rocky Mountains have been getting a steady supply of snow for months, which means that if you live in the mountains or spend a lot of time there, switching to snow tires is an important way to avoid needing collision repair.

At Accurate Auto Body, we want you to stay safe on the roads this winter, so we want to help you choose the best snow tires. There are many good options, though they may not all come in sizes appropriate for your vehicle. Here are a few points to consider about your snow tires, as well as some suggested options for you.

What about Studded Tires?

studded snow tires for winter driving When thinking about true snow tires, many people’s first thought goes to studded tires. Colorado is one of the few states where you can have studded tires at any time of year, and this might make them appealing.

However, for the most part, studded tires are not necessary. Modern tread designs on snow tires work great on roads covered with powder, packed snow, and slush. If you’re off-roading through deep snow, it’s best to put on chains. The place where you will see the most benefit from studded tires is on icy roads. If you often find yourself on slick ice, studded tires might be a good choice for you, but we mostly are looking at non-studded tires.

Bridgestone Blizzak Tires

Although many people have their personal favorites, there’s one snow tire that Colorado mountain drivers talk about most: Blizzak.

Blizzak tires utilize multi-cell tubes – a porous rubber that acts like a sponge – to disperse water from the surface of snow and ice to improve contact between the car and the surface. Then the tire’s grip particles, like mini studs embedded in the rubber, can give your tire additional grip. This provides great control in snow, slush, and even on ice.

There are six different models of Blizzak tires, making it easier to find one that fits your car and your driving needs.

General Tire Altimax Arctic

Another snow tire that is popular among Colorado mountain drivers is the General Tire Altimax Arctic series.

These tires have advanced sipes to help grip in snow and additional raised ridges within their grooves to provide even better traction in snow. Plus, this line of tires is studdable if you need studs for driving in icy conditions.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

best snow tires for Colorado Nokian Tyres promotes itself as the northernmost tire manufacturer in the world and focuses on producing the best snow tires. Although the manufacturer offers multiple studded tires, this non-studded version is extremely popular. Well-designed grooves and sipes give this tire great grip in snowy conditions. Plus, it has great performance on dry roads. They’re also available in most sizes, making this an accessible choice. The only downside is that they wear quickly in warm, dry weather.

When Snow Tires Weren’t Enough, Choose Accurate Auto Body

Unfortunately, sometimes even the best snow tire isn’t enough to protect you from a traffic accident. Pile-ups can force you to stop faster than any tire possibly could under snowy or icy conditions. Plus, you can’t count on other people to be using their snow tires, and someone on bald all-weather tires can easily slide into you.

If you were involved in a traffic accident on snowy Colorado roads, whether in the High Country or along the Front Range, look for an auto body shop that is not just capable of handling the collision repairs, but also cares about you.

Accurate Auto Body is a highly awarded auto body shop, I-CAR gold class recognized, Toyota trained and certified by Honda.  Our Focus on You Service™ system offers many benefits when shops get busy in or after the winter accident season. We offer guaranteed estimates and a guaranteed completion date. Plus, we work around your schedule and deal with your insurance company. We also treat you with respect and compassion. We know being in an accident is stressful enough – you don’t need more stress from your collision repair shop.

Please call 303-344-2212 or use our online contact form to request an estimate on your repairs at Accurate Auto Body, serving customers in Denver and Aurora, CO.

How Do I Know If I Need New Tires?

Posted on: November 24th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 3 Comments

old tires that need to be replaced Although fall came a little late to the Front Range, and the weather remains warm, it’s time to start thinking about winter weather and preparing your car for winter driving conditions. After all, some of the worst winter storms can come suddenly, when warm, moist air meets a mass of cold air right over the region. So, it’s best to be prepared for winter weather before it hits.

You don’t want your first warning that you need new tires to be when you slide out of control and get in a collision. As much as we like to keep busy at our collision repair shop, we’d rather not see your car in our shop getting its crumpled front end replaced. So here are some things to consider that can help you know when you need new tires.

Worn Tread

One of the biggest factors in needing new tires is the wear on your tire’s tread. Traditionally, people have recommended the penny test, where you put a penny upside down into the tread of the tire and if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires.

However, this test is not sufficient in Colorado, not if you want to stay on the good side of Colorado’s traction law. The penny test measures whether you have at least 2/32 (1/16) inch of tread on your tires. However, when the traction law is in effect, your tires must have at least 3/16 inch of tread, three times as much!

So, if you’re planning on driving your 4WD or AWD car in the snow, or relying on snow tires, all-weather tires, or winter tires, make sure you use a tire tread gauge or use our updated tread guide in our Colorado Traction Law refresher.

When to Transition to Snow Tires

snow tires Speaking of snow tires, when is the best time to transition to snow tires? The general guideline is that you should transition to snow tires when the temperature is regularly less than 45° F. While that seems impossible to imagine this year, remember that this relates to the time you’re actually driving. While our afternoons are quite warm right now, the mornings have turned chilly. If your morning commute regularly happens at less than 45° F, now might be a good time to transition to snow tires.

You can also read more detailed information about transitioning to snow tires.

Damaged Tires

In addition to wear, you will need to replace your tires when they are damaged. A visual inspection will help you detect damaged tires. Look for uneven tread wear, cracking, or visible bulges on the side of the tire. All these indicate the tire is damaged and may be likely to fail – possibly catastrophically – in the near future.

You might also detect tire damage by noticing that they’re not holding air pressure, or if they are making unusual noises or motions when you drive.

Old Tires

Sometimes, your tires might look and function fine, but they need replacement anyway. Tires degrade with age, so it’s important to replace them when they get too old. Depending on who you ask, the age to replace tires is either six years or ten years.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help

If you weren’t able to get your tires replaced in time and were unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision as a result, Accurate Auto Body can help. We offer a wide range of collision repair services to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.

Our Focus on You Service System™ has been created to ensure that you have a good experience throughout every stage of the vehicle repair process. We treat all our guests with respect, and we listen to your needs. We help you understand your options so you can choose the best collision repair solution for you. Then we will give you a guaranteed price, and a guaranteed completion time. Plus, we work around your schedule to make your vehicle repairs as convenient as possible.

Please call 303-344-2212 or email us today to schedule an appointment at Accurate Auto Body. We serve customers in Denver, Aurora and the surrounding areas of Colorado.

Winter Vehicle Prep Tips to Avoid Accidents

Posted on: October 20th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop 1 Comment

collision repair for winter car accident Colorado winters may not be as harsh as they used to be, but it’s still important to prepare your car for winter driving if you want to avoid accidents.

There are many things you should do for the health of your car, such as checking batteries and keeping gas tanks full, but we’re going to focus on the things that will help you avoid getting in an accident. We know that there will be plenty of cars getting collision repair in our auto body shop this winter – we don’t need to see yours, too!

Inflate Tires

As the temperature drops, so does the pressure in your tires. Having underinflated tires can affect not just your gas mileage, but your maneuvering. A car with underinflated tires is less responsive in steering and needs more distance to stop.

Check Tire Tread

Your tire tread is designed to give you traction in adverse conditions such as on wet, snowy roads. Having good tire tread is important to maintaining maneuverability in the winter. Note that Colorado’s new traction law requires a deeper tread to be in compliance (3/16” vs. 1/8”) so old-fashioned tests of tread depth are insufficient.

Consider Winter Tires

If you are checking your tread and notice that there’s not enough, now might be a good time to upgrade to winter tires. Winter tires can give you better handling and braking during snowy conditions. The trade-off is that winter tires can diminish your gas mileage, but it’s often worth it.

Check Your Brakes

It’s a good idea to get your car a checkup before the winter season is in full swing. As part of this checkup, you should make sure your brakes are inspected. Make sure all brake components are in good shape, and that the entire system is working properly (including anti-lock brakes and traction control systems).

Replace Windshield Wiper Blades

Visibility is paramount in winter driving. You can’t maneuver around obstacles that you can’t see. Making sure you can see means being able to clear your windshield during winter weather. If your windshield wiper blades aren’t up to the task, either because they’re worn out or they’ve degraded with sunlight, it’s time to replace them. Don’t forget your rear wiper, either!

Get Freeze Resistant Wiper Fluid

Start by checking your wiper fluid levels. Don’t forget the rear fluid reservoir, if you have one. If you need more fluid, top it off. Make sure that the windshield wiper fluid you’re using is designed to avoid freezing. Otherwise, it can turn to ice on your windshield, and that won’t help your visibility at all.

Check Your Heat

Having a functioning heater in your car is about more than just comfort. When it gets cold, snow doesn’t just fall onto your windshield, it can freeze there. This creates a thin layer of ice that can make it almost impossible to see out from the car. It’s important to make sure that your windshield defroster is working properly.

Why Choose Accurate Auto Body for Collision Repair

If your car is in an accident, you want several things from your auto body shop: competence, trustworthiness, and compassion.

Accurate Auto Body is an I-CAR Gold Class auto body shop. This means that our technicians achieve and maintain the highest levels of training in the industry. We do this in part with factory training from Toyota and taking part in Honda’s ProFirst collision repair training.

Accurate Auto Body is also trustworthy. We are ranked A+ with the BBB. We maintain this grade by not giving customers reasons to make a claim with the BBB. And if we do have claims, we resolve them quickly to our customers’ satisfaction.

You can also trust us thanks to our Focus on You Service™ system. This means we give you guaranteed pricing, guaranteed completion dates, and educate you on all you need to know about your car’s repairs.

Our Focus on You Service™ system is also a measure of our compassion. We understand how hard it is to live without your car, and we work hard to work around your schedule. We offer fast turnaround times, and fix your damage right the first time.

Need collision repairs on your car after a winter car accident? Please call 303-344-2212 or use our online form to schedule a free repair estimate at our shop in Aurora.

7 Tips to Reduce the Risk of an Accident on Your Summer Road Trip

Posted on: July 26th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

7 Tips to Reduce the Risk of an Accident on Your Summer Road Trip Although air travel, cruises, and other forms of travel are still giving many individuals cause for hesitation right now, the summer road trip remains a viable alternative for fun vacationing as we get through the pandemic. Whether you’re headed into the mountains or down along the plains from the Front Range, there are many great things to see and do within a reasonable driving distance from Denver.

However, when you head out on a road trip, you could be setting yourself up for an accident if you’re not careful. This accident could be minor, requiring just some auto body repair, or it could be serious, leading to injury for you and your family. Here are 7 simple tips to reduce your risk of getting in an accident on your summer road trip.

Familiarize Yourself with Your Car’s Safety Features

Cars are safer today than they’ve ever been. They have many safety features that can help reduce your risk of accidents. Before heading out on a road trip, take some time with your car’s manual. Figure out what safety features your car has, and how to turn them on or off. Make sure you understand both the benefits of the feature and its limitations.

You shouldn’t lean too heavily on the safety features, but using them properly could reduce your risk of accidents, according to the NHTSA.

Take Frequent Breaks

Remember that no matter how advanced the safety features, they are only intended as supports for careful and safe driving. They don’t replace you being attentive to the road and to other cars. In order to be attentive, you need to take frequent breaks while driving.

Count on stopping every couple of hours for a short break. Get out of the car, stretch, and get something to eat and/or drink. A little bit of vigorous physical activity can do wonders for your alertness level.

Divide the Driving Duty and/or Limit Your Hours Driving

No matter how many times you take a break, at a certain point your body is done and needs to stop driving for the day. For this reason, you should only put in so many hours on the road each day. If you want to go more miles each day, you will need to divide the driving duty between drivers.

But use caution: you can’t really count on driving twice as long if you have two drivers. Most people have a natural biorhythm that makes it impossible to stay awake and alert all night. Even with two drivers, you need to count on stopping overnight if you want to minimize your accident risk.

Delegate Duties

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents on summer road trips (after drowsy driving). Try to minimize distractions by delegating some of the other duties in the car to the person who isn’t driving. Let them handle the radio, the climate control, navigation, food, and other things that need to be done. As the driver, you should put your full focus on driving.

Pull Over for Navigation

7 Tips to Reduce the Risk of an Accident on Your Summer Road Trip Trying to navigate unfamiliar roadways is another leading cause of accidents. Rather than risking an accident by trying a dangerous maneuver when you have to take a surprise turn, it’s a good idea to pull over to make sure you understand upcoming maneuvers when entering an unfamiliar place.

This is especially true if you’re driving alone, but a good idea even if you have someone else navigating. The speed at which you must sometimes change lanes leads to pressure that often causes miscommunication. You take that out of the equation when you pull over and go over navigation with the car safely out of traffic.

Take Advantage of Overlooks

You’re taking a road trip to see more of this wonderful country of ours, so it’s understandable that you might want to gawk at all the beautiful scenery, especially when others in the car are raving about them. You can take a quick glance out the window at the scenery, but if you really want to see it, take the time to pull over and get a good look. Otherwise, you risk having your eyes off the road for too long, which can lead to accidents.

Use a Spotter for Backing in or out

One type of accident that often needs collision repair is backing into an obstacle or another car. You can reduce this risk by utilizing a spotter.

This is a good idea even if you’re accustomed to backing up all the time. You’re in an unfamiliar place, and your vehicle may be packed high with luggage for the road trip. Maybe you’re even towing a trailer. A spotter can tell you about obstacles you might not have noticed or just can’t see from your seat. Backup cameras definitely help these days, but they don’t see everything.

Choose Accurate Auto Body for Your Collision Repair

Even if you’re the most careful driver you can be on a summer road trip, accidents happen. When this occurs, you want to find an auto body shop capable of giving you the repairs you need, on time and on budget.

This is an essential part of our Focus on You Service™ system. We will give you a good estimate of the time and cost of your repairs and get them completed on time and on budget. We also work around your schedule to minimize the disruption in your life. Our mechanics are I-CAR Gold Class certified, with training from Toyota and Honda, so we’re qualified to handle your repairs, including repairs of delicate safety systems.

To get a free estimate on your collision repair, please call 303-344-2212 or use our online contact form to set up an appointment with Accurate Auto Body. We serve individuals in Denver, Aurora and throughout the surrounding areas of Colorado.

 

Safest Vehicles in 2021

Posted on: June 21st, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

With their speed and size, cars can be deadly. However, technology is making them safer all the time. They are getting so safe, in fact, that the people who evaluate the safety of cars keep increasing the standards and adding new ranks of safety. Now the safest cars receive a Top Safety Pick + ranking from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Modern cars are safer in part because they don’t just absorb damage in an accident; they help you avoid accidents. The drawback is that if you do get in an accident, these high-tech safety features can be hard to repair and, you need an auto body repair shop that’s capable of handling them. Fortunately, with cars as safe as these, you may never need to visit a collision repair shop.

2021 Mazda 3

Safest Vehicles in 2021 This compact sedan (also available as a hatchback) earned a Top Safety Pick +, has reasonable fuel economy, and a good 5-year cost-to-own. That’s due in part to its high initial quality and reliability.

2021 Subaru Legacy

This midsize sedan not only earned the Top Safety Pick +, it got five stars from the NHTSA in front, side, and rollover tests. Not only that, but it has an excellent 5-year cost to own.

2021 Honda Insight

One of the pioneers of the hybrid car revolution, reinvented as a Prius clone, the Insight is now back as a standard compact hybrid sedan.  It retains its impressive fuel economy and adds outstanding safety.

2021 Mazda 6

This midsize sedan earned the Top Safety Pick + as well as 5 stars from the NHTSA in the front and side crash tests. The only places this doesn’t excel are in its headlights (which range from adequate to good), and pedestrian avoidance systems, which are merely “advanced,” not “superior.”

2021 Honda Accord

With 5-star ratings from the NHTSA all around as well as a Top Safety Pick +, the Honda Accord is one of the safest cars available. It has a diverse suite of standard safety features. A bit pricier than some of the other mid-sizes on the list, it is nonetheless a great value.

2021 Toyota Camry

Safest Vehicles in 2021 Another midsize sedan that earns 5-star ratings all around and Top Safety Pick +, the Camry also includes many standard safety features. Though It’s not the favorite in its class, it is less expensive than the Accord and has an excellent cost-to-own.

2021 Honda Odyssey

This Honda van earns 5 stars from the NHTSA on front and side collision tests, though it only gets 4-stars on rollover tests. It also earns a Top Safety Pick + from the IIHS.

2021 Ram 1500

Pickups can have trouble with rollover risk, but that doesn’t stop this Ram from earning a Top Safety Pick + from the IIHS. It also got a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received only 4 stars in front and rollover crash testing.

2021 Volvo XC60

This car received the best ratings in the NHTSA testing of any luxury SUV, as well as achieving the status of a Top Safety Pick +. The only tarnishing marks here are headlights and the ease of LATCH systems.

2021 Subaru Forester

If you are looking for a more affordable and smaller SUV, consider the Subaru Forester. Not only is it a Top Safety Pick + for the IIHS, it scores 5 stars from the NHTSA in front and side impact, with a solid 4-star rating for rollover.

Looking for an Auto Shop After a Crash?

If you were involved in an accident in a new car, collision repair should include fixing the advanced safety systems. That’s why you should choose Accurate Auto Body. In addition to our exclusive Focus on You Service System™, we are certified by both Toyota and Honda, and we maintain I-CAR Gold Class to meet the most rigorous standards for an auto body shop. Continuously updated, this means that we’re prepared to take on even the most advanced repairs for your car.

Please call 303-344-2212 or contact us today for a free estimate. Accurate Auto Body provides comprehensive auto collision services in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Denver Metro Area

Posted on: April 28th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

Denver’s become a terrible place to drive. Hundreds of reported crashes a day across the metro area snarl traffic on our roads. At Accurate Auto Body, we see the results of these crashes in twisted metal, shattered glass, and popped plastic panels.

But the crashes aren’t evenly distributed around the area. Instead, there are a few intersections where crashes occur frequently. This means you might want to steer clear of these locations or approach them with caution and an awareness of what makes these intersections so dangerous.

By the Numbers: Dangerous Intersections

car accident at an intersection in Denver Our data about the most dangerous intersections comes from the Denver Police Department, and it was compiled by Westword from 2018-2019. The benefit is that these are hard numbers, but the disadvantage is that these are all located in Denver. While there’s a good likelihood that these are the most dangerous intersections in the area, there is a chance that some places outside the City and County might exceed these figures:

  1. W Alameda Avenue at South Santa Fe Drive: 56 accidents
  2. W Colfax Avenue at Speer Boulevard: 52 accidents
  3. W Evans Avenue at South Federal Boulevard: 47 accidents
  4. W Alameda Avenue at South Federal Boulevard: 47 accidents
  5. Quebec Street at East 36th Avenue: 44 accidents
  6. Speer Boulevard at Auraria Parkway: 44 accidents
  7. West Colfax Avenue at Kalamath Street: 38 accidents
  8. South Colorado Boulevard at East Alameda Avenue: 36 accidents
  9. Central park Boulevard at East martin Luther King Boulevard: 34 accidents
  10. Downing Street at East Colfax Avenue: 33 accidents

What Makes These Intersections So Dangerous?

Unfortunately, it’s harder to get information about the crashes at these intersections that can help us delve into why they experience so many accidents. However, there is data out there about the causes of accidents in the Denver Metro Area that can provide some insight into what makes these intersections so dangerous.

Complexity

The top two intersections in this report are highly complicated intersections. In both cases, these are large multi-lane intersections that defy the normal logic of two cross-streets. Instead, there are odd angles, multiple turn lanes, and sometimes unclear signage to indicate which lanes go where.

In both cases, these intersections are feeding into and from other major interchanges. At Alameda and Santa Fe, people are also trying to manage getting onto and off of I-25. At Colfax and Speer, people are dealing with the difficulties of Colfax and Kalamath, a beast of its own description which is itself on this list.

Congestion

It’s no secret that just the sheer volume of traffic in Denver has been growing and along with it, the number of accidents. There is good evidence that volume alone contributes to the number of accidents at Denver intersections. Evidence shows that more accidents occur in the hour between 5 and 6 pm than at any other time. Accidents are similarly elevated in the morning rush hour and at the lunch hour.

With so many cars on the road, congestion leads to people following too closely. This is a leading cause of accidents, and more than half of all car accidents are rear-end accidents.

Construction

To try to accommodate the constantly increasing number of cars and trucks on Denver’s roads, we have a constantly active series of construction projects going on. Many of these intersections have been undergoing construction for years, which makes them even more complicated and crowded.

Have You Been in an Accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident and suffered damage to your vehicle in Denver, Accurate Auto Body can help. With our exclusive Focus on You Service System™, we give our customers guaranteed quotes and completion dates so you know when your car will be ready and how much repairs will cost. Our award-winning technicians work hard to get the repairs right the first time so you don’t have to waste time on getting repairs redone. Plus, we work with your insurance company.

To get a quote about fixing the damage from your car accident, please contact Accurate Auto Body today.

Preparing for Late Season Heavy Snow

Posted on: March 19th, 2021 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

March and April are the two snowiest months in Denver. This year’s March blizzard, officially the fourth largest in Denver history, underscored this point. So while you might be looking forward to summer, it’s important to remember that winter may still hold sway on Denver streets. Along with the increased snow comes an increased risk of car accidents.

How do you avoid being one of the many people who get caught in car accidents during these late season snowstorms? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Understand the Nature of Spring Storms

Preparing for Late Season Heavy Snow First, it’s important to keep in mind that spring snowstorms are not like winter snowstorms. Spring snow is not just bigger, it’s wetter. And with the warmer temperatures overall, it usually starts melting as soon as it falls. This means you need to be prepared to drive on water and slush. Be aware of the risk of hydroplaning and watch for pools of water.

Remember: you can’t tell how deep a pool is just by looking. Heavy spring snows can carry a lot of water and damming by unmelted snow can create deep pools in unexpected places.

While the days might be warm, causing the snow to melt, the nights are still cold. This will cause the meltwater to freeze into patches of black ice. Often, the main road looks clear, but as long as there is snow or water along the edges of the road, ice might form anywhere when the temperatures drop.

Keep Winter Gear on and in Your Car

With as many warm days as we can have in spring, it’s tempting to take the winter gear off your car or free up space inside by removing things like snow shovels, sandbags, and more.

But that would be premature. There are likely several more snowstorms in our near future. Keep winter gear on or in your car until at least May—even later if you regularly head into the high country. Plus, remember, Colorado’s traction law is now in effect on I-70 continuously from the beginning of September to the end of May.

Keep Stocked Up at Home

One of the best ways to avoid an accident during a winter storm is to just stay home. When the roads are snowy or icy, try to eliminate unnecessary trips. You can eliminate a trip to the grocery store by making sure you have additional supplies on hand for a blizzard.

And remember: if you already dipped into your blizzard supplies during the March storm, it’s time to replenish them so you won’t be caught short in the next storm.

If You Were in an Accident Already

Unfortunately, this advice might come too late for some people. Accident numbers surged in March as people struggled to deal with the massive quantity of snow the storm dropped.

If you were one of the many people caught in an accident after this recent snowstorm, Accurate Auto Body can help. We know it’s hard to find a good body shop, so we make a commitment to quality that you can trust. Our Focus on You Service System™ is a promise we make to every customer. It includes a free estimate, guaranteed pricing, and a guaranteed timetable. Not only that, but we promise to fix it right the first time, ensuring you’re able to get back on the road faster and with fewer hassles.

Not only that, but we’ll deal with your insurance company so you don’t have to. We know how to cut through the red tape and get you paid for your claim.

Want to learn for yourself what sets Accurate Auto Body apart from other body shops? Please call 303-344-2212 or use our online form to schedule a visit our comfortable, welcoming office today to get a free estimate.