Be In The Know When Driving On Ice And Snow

Jungerman CARSTAR Gives You Secrets For Safe Driving in the Winter 

Cold temperatures can cause much of the toughest driving conditions of the entire year. And, months between October and February top the list for collisions, automotive damages and accidental injuries in the St. Peters, Missouri area.

When the local climate plunges and the snow rises, it is necessary for motorists to increase their focus on safety on the highway.  With the correct preparation, some preventative driving procedures and an eye on the weather report, drivers can shield themselves and their cars or trucks during the cold winter months.

The authorities on wintry driving crashes at Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, MO repair many motor vehicles each and every year wrecked in wintry, icy collisions.  They supply road users some helpful suggestions which will make the winter season travel more safe.

Assess Your Visibility:

•   Add de-icer to your windshield wiper liquid
•   Ensure your windshield wipers are free of ice just before venturing out on the road – and look at updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow strikes
•   Check that all of the mirrors are clear and correctly adjusted for field of vision
•   Clean your car headlights and check out the light bulbs in all your car lights – back and front

Slow up and Keep Back:

•   When there is snow or ice on the surface in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri, reduce the speed of your car to a safe limit
•   Leave a lot more distance in between your car or truck and the automobile before you for added safety
•   Avoid cruise control on slippery roads
•   Use extreme caution on bridges, overpasses, and rarely traveled streets mainly because these could possibly be slick due to ice
•   Use extreme caution when you're driving a motorcar on one-lane streets

Skidding Smartly

If your rear tires slip...

•   Take your foot off the accelerator
•   Steer in the direction you need the front tires to move. If the rear tires are sliding left, steer left. If they are moving right, steer right
•   If your back wheels get started on sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer right and left several times to get your motor vehicle entirely under control
•   For standard brakes, pump them carefully
•   If you have got anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply consistent pressure to the brake system. You're going to feel the brake system pulse — this is routine

In case the front wheels slip...

•   Take your foot off of the gas and switch to neutral, but don't try to steer right away.
•   As the tires skid laterally, they're going to slow the ride and traction will come back. As it does, steer in the direction you wish to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate slowly

Prepare for a Snow Day:

•   If your motor vehicle has rear wheel drive, put bags of sand or kitty litter to help keep your car or truck easier to control on St. Peters, Missouri streets
•   Load up a snow day kit in case you get stuck.  Valuable items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and additional battery packs, extra cell phone battery pack, flares, wooden matches in waterproofed carrier, compass, scissors, rope and first-aid kit.
•   Create a toolbox for digging your automobile out with foldable shovel, 2x4 planks to place under tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner

You'll never be too cautious when driving a car in cold weather. Collisions can occur fairly quickly on slippery, slippery roadways, so decelerating and taking the extra safety measures can really make the difference.

If the regrettable winter accident does take place, we recommend having a wreck plan set up so you aren’t stranded on the roadside waiting for help.  Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri  gives excellent, reliable repair service.  Just call 1-800-CARSTAR after you have an automobile accident and they will send the tow truck, get hold of your insurance company, arrange for a car rental and repair your car.

Top Ten FAQ - Part One

Do you know of a concern with your motor vehicle and the repair process? Jungerman CARSTAR of St. Peters, MO has stated the common inquiries further down. In the event that you don’t discover the answer below, contact us and we will ensure you get the details you need.

1.   What to Do in Case of an Accident

2.   Your Consumer Rights

3.   How to Choose a Body Shop

4.   About the Repair Process

5.   Understanding Your Estimate

1. What to Do in Case of an Accident

First, get calm. If you have personal injuries, call 911 swiftly. Usually do not move your automobile, unless you'll be in immediate threat and it might be advisable to get your car or truck in another position. You should get the name of the individual (s) driving the other vehicle (s) involved in addition to their contact number, driver's license, motor vehicle license and insurance details. Endeavor to acquire any witness' name and contact number (s). Take note of the place, time and date. Make use of a digital camera cell phone to take photos of the incident, automotive damage and witnesses.

2. Your Consumer Rights

When you have a car accident, you will have the right to find out where you will want your vehicle brought and the place you choose to have your car repaired. A quality collision repair shop will coordinate towing for you, perform excellent repairs and work with your insurance corporation. Jungerman CARSTAR can provide a limited five-year nationwide warranty as an extra benefit.

3. How to Choose a Body Shop

You'll want to pick a motor vehicle body shop in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri that offers a thorough written estimate, adheres to a structured repair plan for each and every car and includes skilled, qualified repair specialists. A national affiliation generally is a reflection of higher quality repair standards, so does a nationwide warranty. Locate a body shop which uses the highest-quality parts and products to revive your car or truck, who is going to help you stay well informed all through the repair process, offers very good customer service, can deliver your motor vehicle on time, and does a thorough examination of all repairs before putting you straight back on the highway.

4. About the Repair Process

The repair process begins with you taking your car in for an estimate with a skilled estimator. If you decide on that shop, they will deal with your insurance broker to process the repair claim. A high quality auto body shop such as Jungerman CARSTAR will carry out a extensive disassembly of all damaged parts of the car or truck to determine any structural or mechanical damage. They will order the needed parts for your ride and then complete the repair. Once the repair is finished, they'll undertake an in-depth review of the interior and outside of your car or truck to ensure a top notch repair.

5. Understanding Your Estimate

Your estimate ought to include a comprehensive assessment of the project to be done on your car, a summary of the repair parts for usage, what items your insurance protection will and will not cover and the expected amount of the repair. One reason estimates in St. Peters, Missouri could vary from a different shop is thoroughness of the appraisal process. Some quotes may put imperative repairs out of the preliminary estimate, causing the amount to not be the same from another facility. At Jungerman CARSTAR we're thorough to look for the procedures necessary for an outstanding and safe repair for your car or truck.

Ten Tips for Dealing with an Auto Accident

One time every seven years, the average vehicle owner from St. Peters is taking part in an car accident.  When that happens, it is practical to realize what you ought to do to safeguard yourself and your car or truck, and put yourself on the road to a quick, high-quality repair.  Here are a couple of ways to keep in mind and give to the motorists in your household from your friends at Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri:

1.   Power down your vehicle’s motor and let it sit where it is as long as you feel it’s safe. Should you be threatened or your car or truck is in peril of being struck by yet another vehicle, slowly drive your vehicle to a less dangerous position, such as the curb of the roadway or a well-lit car park.

2.   Make sure you keep calm.  Be tactful and affable, regardless of if you are quite enraged.

3.   Gauge the degree of impact and see whether you are actually hurt. If you feel you’re injured at all, sit in your car or truck and attempt to cool off. Be truthful if somebody asks how you are. Ask somebody to call for help, and let a specialist examine your condition.

4.   Give out medical services to other folks only when you have been taught to do so.

5.   Look at the damage to your motor vehicle. When inspecting the incident scene, you shouldn't try to walk right in between the two cars. If one is slammed for a second time, you might become jammed amidst the 2 automobiles.

6.   Simply call the authorities of St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, or Lake St. Louis, Missouri to tell of the vehicle accident. Call 911 first, if this doesn’t succeed, dial zero and request the authorities.

7.   Don’t say the collision was your error, even though you may believe that it was.

8.   Call 1-800-CARSTAR to have someone from Jungerman CARSTAR request a tow, arrange for a car rental, make contact with a loved one and call your insurance broker .

9.   Get the names, addresses and cell phone numbers of any witnesses.  In the event you can't really obtain their names, at the very least get their license plate numbers.

10.   Exchange names, addresses, license numbers and insurance plan details with any other car owners mixed up in auto accident.

It is logical to have an accident plan in place before an auto accident does occur.  Locate a trustworthy auto body shop where you can bring your car or truck in advance so that you are not really expected to generate a rapid decision at the wreck scene.  To discover the most ideal collision repair facility near you, seek out the CARSTAR company logo.  All CARSTAR auto body repair shops like Jungerman CARSTAR are locally managed, and are devoted to giving you the highest-quality repair and getting you right back on the highway quickly.

To get more St. Peters car care tips, visit www.auto-body-st-peters-mo.com.

Bucks Cost Bucks, Does Cost Dough

North America’s Collision Repair Experts Weigh in on the Hefty Costs of Hitting a Deer 

 

It’s the yearly battle of the bumpers versus the bucks, the does against the doors.  Both sides lose when car and deer collide, but a measure of defensive driving can reduce the risks.

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts in the St. Louis area say the regularity and severity of deer-related accidents are growing as quickly as the deer population in certain markets. And, with the cold-weather months supplying peak season for deer-vehicle crashes, this risk is rising.

The truth is, over forty percent of CARSTAR store owners report a twenty five percent boost in deer-related injuries, while some nearly 12 percent report a fifty percent increase and five percent have noticed a whopping 75 percent boost within their areas. That deer-related crash could be pricy -- just about seventy percent of CARSTAR store owners gauge that an average cost of a deer-related crash repair is between $2,500 and $4,999, while some five percent of repairs are anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000.

A current survey by State Farm confirms the trend.  U.S. drivers are 3 percent more inclined to hit a deer in the following twelve months as opposed to this past year, specifically in October, November and December. The cost is rising, also, and is anticipated to be almost 14 percent greater than this past year.

A new trend is emerging, and one that doesn’t bode well for driver or deer – the serial deer crash motorist.  As soon as a driver has been around a deer-related accident, their own probability of having another one are going up.  Most of these motorists have a home in deer-filled areas, drive in the early morning or early evening when deer are out and about, or just really are ill-fated with bucks.

Greg Walter, a suburban Atlanta resident, is merely one example.  He’s had 17 deer-related crashes throughout the last decade!

“I’m uncertain of why they aim for my vehicle, but they sure do,” said Walter.  “I’ve totaled a few company cars, and it’s become so bad that a few of my work colleagues put deer heads on my truck door similar to a WWII fighter pilot.  I’ve experimented with a variety of headlights, deer whistles, everything.  I think I simply need to have a retainer at my local CARSTAR shop.”

Drive Defensively to Escape Deer Dangers

This year, some 1.5 million motorists will hit deer, and November is the top month for deer-related mishaps in St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon and Lake St. Louis, Missouri.  But drivers can easily stay away from a car accident with a buck by following some smart driving techniques this fall and winter.

Early morning and dusk are the worst times for deer crashes, as visibility is restricted and deer tend to be on the move. It is essential to drive defensively and anticipate the potential for deer in the roadway.

The motor vehicle experts at Jungerman CARSTAR, who repair a huge number of vehicles annually from deer-related mishaps, provide the following tips to decrease the deer danger:

1.    Use extra caution at daybreak and dusk and around golf courses, fields and wooded areas.

2.    Bear in mind that deer travel in packs – if you locate one, there are certainly likely more behind it.

3.    Do not swerve to get around striking a deer, since that increases the threat of hitting another car or losing control over the vehicle.

4.    Should there be no opposing traffic, use high beams after dark to better light up deer.

5.    Try not to rely on gear such as deer whistles, that are coupled to the surface of a automobile, in order to scare off deer with an supersonic or high-frequency sound. They have not been proven to shrink deer-vehicle collisions.

6.    If a deer keeps on the road after you strike it, report the occurrence to the game commission or a community law enforcement department, because deer presents a threat to other motorists. If the deer still is alive, don't get near it since a wild animal with sharp hooves can easily impose injury.

7.    If an accident with a deer really does happen, it pays to be safe. Many individuals never understand that holding solely collision coverage doesn't cover damage from a deer collision, leaving them with a damaged vehicle and a major repair expense.  To totally deal with any possible problems, people really should carry comprehensive insurance that deals with such crashes. For all those driving an older automobile who think their cars are not worth the expense of the insurance coverage, it’s wise to maintain an “accident fund” for if anything does occur.

If a vehicle owner ends up stranded with a busted car or truck after a deer collision, they could always call 1-800-CARSTAR. Jungerman CARSTAR will send the tow truck, contact their insurance company and help the vehicle owner get back on the highway.

Jungerman CARSTAR in St. Peters, Missouri offers high-quality, trusted repair service at more than 430 locations in 30 states and ten Canadian provinces. Just simply call 1-800-CARSTAR if you want a car repair, and they will send the tow truck, contact your insurer, arrange for a rental car and repair your car. For additional information and store locations, check out www.auto-body-st-peters-mo.com.