Top 3 Items to Carry in Your Car during Winter

Well friends, winter is in full swing and we’ve already seen some icy damage at our car repair shop in Rochester. As a result, we would like to offer you some ideas on how to be prepared in case of emergencies out on the road. Below is a list of items to fill up on and leave in your vehicle during the winter months.

1. Communication: Phone Charger

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Make sure you have an adaptor and a charger so you can recharge your phone. In fact, it might be a good idea to keep it plugged in whenever it looks like a dangerous, snowy drive. Don’t get caught in a winter storm without having a fully charged phone to call for help.

2. Health: First Aid Kit

This should include some (if not all) of the following: bandages, adhesive tape, gauze, aspirin, antiseptic wipes/ointment. If an accident happens in a snowstorm, it may take longer for emergency services to reach your vehicle. During the delay, these items may help make the difference. Afterwards, to fix all other damages, you can have your vehicle towed to our auto repair shop, where we become the “First Aid Kit” to your vehicle.

3. Light: Flashlight & Flares

Light is a good thing to have when you’re caught in a black, stormy snowstorm. Pack a powerful flashlight with extra batteries. Also, stock up on some flares in case your vehicle is dead on a busy road. Even if it isn’t nighttime, a snowy day can cloud vision on the roads. Flashers will alert other motorists of your vehicle before risking a crash.

Other Ideas

Windshield ice scraper; jumper cables; duct tape; sawdust / sand for traction; snow shovel; blankets; warm gloves; poncho; water bottles; snacks.

What’s in your vehicle’s emergency kit?

3 Common Injuries Caused by Auto Body Accidents

Imagine riding your bicycle down a road at top speed. Now imagine a thick, wide frame of metal smacking you in the face while on your bike. That can give you an idea as to why even driving as slow as 30 mph can cause you serious harm. Sometimes we tend to think we’re as strong as the vehicle we’re driving. But we’re not; we’re soft and fragile humans zooming around in hard, fortified machines.  

Below are three types of auto body accidents and how they typically harm our bodies:

Frontend Collision  

Frontend, or head-on-head collision, means two vehicles smacking into each other from their front. This usually leads to chest, legs, and pelvis bruises or wounds. The forward motion of a head-on collision plunges a driver into the steering wheel. Injuries tend to be more severe when drivers aren't buckled.

Backend Collision

Backend collisions are usually caused by tailgating – when two cars are driving too close together. Body injuries typically include the head, chest, spine, and neck during rear crashes. The reason this collision tends to cause those injuries is whiplash. Whiplash describes when your head whips violently forward and back as a result of the impact.

Side-End Collision

When the frontend of a vehicle collides into the side of another, it can cause injuries to people sitting on either end. A person sitting on the side that was collided into may suffer injury in the chest and abdomen. One sitting on the opposite side of the collision may suffer a head injury and sometimes chest. If two are in the vehicle, the person on the struck-side will be hit by the door panel and smack into the person on the opposite side, which launches that person into the panel where the seatbelt is stationed.

If you or someone you know has suffered one of these collisions, let Brothers Collision & Mechanical get your vehicle back to looking its best with new parts at our auto body shop located locally in Rochester NY!

Slippery Leaves of Autumn May Cause Collisions

The NYS DMV reported 23,491 total crashes in 2013 were due to slippery pavement. While this factor only accounts for about 9% of the total crashes in that year, we thought it’d be useful to throw a statistic your way that we find has some significance to this season.

Autumn may not seem like a particularly dangerous season to go driving; however, it produces some factors that contribute to dangerous, slippery roads. What are those factors?

Beware of the Blinding, Slippery Roads of Autumn

Some road cautions caused by autumn include:

• frosty roads
• icy bridges
• slippery leaves

• foggy windows
• early sunsets

While it’s a trademark of Rochester to keep us guessing about the weather, the autumn season is perhaps when weather is the most unpredictable of all. This season shifts from warm, to cold, to rainy, to foggy, to frosty, and returns to warm in a matter of a few days. The rapidly changing weather doesn’t allow us to prepare ahead and know what to expect on the roads.

So how do we defend ourselves against dangerous road conditions caused by autumn in Rochester? Awareness. Take a look again at our bullet points above. One point that surprises some people is slippery leaves.

Fallen leaves and wet weather can cause slippery conditions because piles of leaves accumulate a lot of water. When you see them on the road, slow down and try to avoid wet leaf patches (maybe dry leaf piles too - just incase someone’s hiding in there).  

Also, the earlier sunsets of autumn may cause the sun to blind your vision as you drive home from work. Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses with you for your drive. Also, make sure your vehicle’s defrost system is working in proper condition to defend against the fog caused by chilly mornings.

Find out the most current issues that cause collisions by contacting us at Brothers Collision & Mechanical. Check in with us next month for another post! Also, please share with us your questions and concerns so we can address them for you and others who have the same questions. Thanks!

2 Important Things to Consider after a Collision

Say you’re driving around the autumny roads of Rochester - and BAM - you collide with another driver. Here are two very important guidelines to follow before you visit our collision shop at Brothers Collision & Mechanical:

1. Don’t Drive Off

No matter how small a car collision, it can actually be illegal to drive away without doing the following:   

• Stop & pull over (if possible)
• Check on the other driver
• Exchange car insurance
• Report accident

Not doing these things could get you in legal trouble in case the driver, nearby property owners, or general traffic has been influenced by your collision.

2. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Call 911

   
   

If no one was hurt, and if both vehicles are in good shape, you may be tempted to avoid reporting the accident to the authorities. However, that’s a bad idea. Here are two reasons you should call 911:

• Have full report in case of allegations
• Medical assistance in case of injuries

You might agree with the other driver to keep authorities out of your collision. But there might be an ugly surprise waiting for you if the other driver doesn’t have proper insurance. USA Today reported that 1/7 drivers don’t carry car updated or real car insurance.

Don’t allow your car accident to snowball into legal trouble. Report the accident and do the right things to decrease later problems. Then take your vehicle to our collision shop in Rochester, NY for amazing restoration service!

Know What to Expect from a New York Car Inspection

Each year, every car in New York needs to be inspected. That inspection ensures every vehicle on New York roadways is safe. The safety of all drivers and passengers is at stake. Inspection centers take the process very seriously and so should vehicle owners. If you own a car in New York, you should be aware of what’s involved with a New York state car inspection.

Vital components of your car will be thoroughly inspected. The brakes are among those components. The brake drums, discs, and brake pads are all checked over. Brake lines and hoses are also inspected. This is done by removing one wheel and inspecting the brakes for that particular wheel. If your brakes have been making that dreaded grinding noise or you find you have to press harder to get the car to slow, you may have to have the pads and discs replaced to pass inspection.

Lights save lives. Without properly working headlights, brake lights, and tail lights, you are just asking for an accident. Each light has to be operational. If you are pulled over for not having working brake lights, you could face steep fines and you certainly won’t pass inspection. Lights that have blown out are an affordable and easy fix. It is much cheaper to pay for a new tail light than a traffic citation for driving an unsafe car. If you’re in an accident because someone didn’t realize you were stopping, you’ll pay higher insurance premiums.

The steering and suspension components are also important to the safety and operation of your vehicle. If your steering wheel is tight, leaks, or doesn’t smoothly return back to a center position, it may be leaking power steering fluid or have loose ball joints. If it rotates smoothly, there are no visible leaks, and there is no shaking when you drive over certain speeds, you’ll have no issues passing state inspection.

Other parts of the car are just as important. The horn and mirrors all need to be present and working correctly. The windows must be free from cracks to pass inspection.

When the time comes to have your yearly New York state inspection for your car, let Brothers Collision and Mechanical (auto mechanic Rochester NY) take a peek at what is going on. We will inspect the vehicle and fix any issues, both large or small. Your safety is riding on each of those components and we take that responsibility very seriously. Our inspection process can eliminate ugly surprises.

Avoid the Dangers of A Stuffy Car on a Sunny Day (auto detailing Rochester NY)

As a parent or pet owner, have you ever felt like you had to juggle many tasks, errands, and responsibilities all at once? During the summer, this type of juggling can lead to making the mistake of leaving pets or kids in a hot and stuffy car. There are devastating consequences to leaving a child or pet alone in a car on a hot day. On a 70 degree day, a car’s interior can reach 104 degrees in just 30 minutes! When the sun’s heat gets trapped inside, even a cracked window will do little to slow down the temperatures as they soar and dehydrate your loved one.  

So how do we avoid making these mistakes? Make yourself aware of common scenarios that put even well-meaning parents and pet owners in a position where they leave a child or pet behind. After you have loaded the car with groceries and strapped the kids in, you may realize you forgot an item in the store. You may be tempted to run back inside alone to save time. However, you never know the obstacles that could slow you down from returning to your car before the heat kicks up to dangerous levels.

For example, the checkout line may have grown longer and may keep you waiting and waiting. Another situation may occur where someone in the store or parking lot may distract you with conversation. The same could happen on a “quick” run inside Starbucks, McDonald’s, or the bank. Save yourself the anxiety and use the drive thru. Otherwise, remember to bring your kids with you, or grab it some other time if you’re with your pet.

For more tips on staying safe and keeping cool, come down to Brother’s Collision and Mechanical (auto detailing Rochester NY) to have your car’s air conditioning checked or installed.

Fix Ups for Summer

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Win Your Car Back from the Brutality of Winter

This past winter was tough on people, roads, and vehicles. While we were huddled behind our steering wheels with gloves, hats, and the heat blasting for protection, our cars were pelted with ice, snow, and snowplow gravel. To make it worse, the very roads we trusted betrayed our cars as they opened to reveal damaging potholes everywhere.

The good news is that all of that damage and dirt is fixable. At Brothers Collision and Mechanical (automotive maintenance Rochester NY) the vehicle needs you have will be handled for the right price. We will get the engine purring again, rather than shivering or sputtering as it may have during the winter. We will also tend to any damage done by plows and ice chunks. We will get your car looking and feeling just as it was before the first flake fell.

As for potholes, you might not have any idea just how damaging they may be to your car. The tires, wheel bearings, and other out of sight car parts may be damaged. Hitting a pothole hard enough can also mess up your alignment. The experts at Brothers Collision and Mechanical (automotive maintenance Rochester NY) can ensure any pothole damage is fixed promptly and without cutting into your summer vacation money.

Call Brothers Collision and Mechanical to get your car tuned up and looking sharp again.

Keep Safe on the Roads

Practice Defensive Driving

When you think of “defensive,” you might think of someone looking for trouble. However, when it comes to driving, practicing “defensive” techniques is smart and can help keep you out of trouble. The specialists at Brothers Collision & Mechanical (auto restoration Rochester NY) know a few tips to help keep you and your car safe.

One very important defensive driving tip is to always be aware of the actions of the traffic around you. If you see a turn signal blinking, don’t immediately assume the person is actually turning. Likewise, be equally prepared for the “turn on a dime without warning” type of person in front of you. Staying alert and keeping a safe distance is the best way to avoid colliding with this kind of driver.

Being defensive with distracted drivers is becoming more important than ever. Today, it isn’t unusual to see people on cell phones, doing their makeup, or even eating while driving. How many times have you looked over and seen a person using both hands for something other than controlling the steering wheel? You need to be aware of these people so you can react instantly if there is a problem.

One way to avoid any accidents with distracted drivers is to keep your sides open when you can. In other words, keep your car on the outside and have your sides open, if possible, so you can pull away when needed. Maintaining a safe speed that flows with traffic can also help you keep a defensive stance against those who are speeding or moseying along.

Lastly, you need to be aware of everything else around you. Keeping yourself focused on the cars around you isn’t enough. You need to look out for animals (especially at night), pedestrians, or other dangers that could get in your way.

If you keep alert and maintain a defensive driving strategy, you can minimize your chances of getting involved in an accident. If you do find yourself in an accident, seek out the specialists at Brothers Collision & Mechanical (auto restoration Rochester NY).

Avoid Road Rage

How to Avoid Road Rage

Road rage is never a good situation for anyone involved. It can lead to being fearful for your safety. For the person who is enraged, it can lead to increased blood pressure and other health issues. When someone encounters a road rage situation, everyone around can be in danger. For your safety and the safety of everyone around you, it might help to be aware of tips for avoiding road rage - given by Brothers (a collision shop Rochester, NY).

If confronted by an angry tailgater, simply slowing down might help. Don’t suddenly hit the brakes to send a message. Slow down with ease and let them just go around you and move on. This could help you and others avoid a visit to a collision shop Rochester, NY.

Another way to avoid a road rage situation is to minimize distractions. If you are more aware of your surroundings, you will be less likely to pull out in front of another driver. Keep your eyes alert and avoid staring off vacantly to day-dream. You can glance around and keep your mind awake by being aware of what is around you, including other drivers.

Checking your mindset before you hit the road can also help you avoid a road rage situation. If you are stressed, worried about work, or angry about a home situation, you may be more apt to overreact to minor mistakes by other drivers. Having an angry mindset from the get-go can increase the likelihood that you will be easily upset or react to someone else who is on the road.

Remember, every driver around you is only human and will make mistakes, just like you. If you stay alert and stay safe with how you drive, you can get where you are going without a road rage incident. The collision shop Rochester NY technicians at Brothers Collision and Mechanical want everyone to be safe and respect the other drivers around them.

Auto Accident Checklist

How to Handle a Minor Car Accident

Luckily, most of us rarely find ourselves involved in a major car accident. However, being involved in a minor car accident happens in a flash and is much more common than people think. Even if a fender bender or collision is considered minor, it is vital to know what to do when a minor accident happens. That’s why Brothers Collision & Mechanical (collision repair Rochester, NY) wants to give you useful tips on what to do.  

The very first concern should be with safety. Making sure you, your passengers, or anyone else involved is safe and uninjured is the main priority. If there is any reason to believe someone needs medical attention, call for help immediately. There may be times when passengers think they are fine or only slightly injured, but they may go downhill fast because they are in shock.

Secondly, get yourself or your vehicle off the road and to a safe spot. This may mean pulling over to the shoulder. But if the car is disabled, you should put your flashers on and light flares if anyone has them. Many people get hit or injured by being in an unsafe spot after a minor accident.

Once everyone involved is safe and sound, you need to get all of the information you can. Write down anything you can. You need the other person’s name, driver’s license information, and insurance information. It is also a good idea to write down anything else that may be important. People think they will remember things and then those things get cloudy. Factors like weather or road conditions are important to note. Today, most people have smart phones. Take pictures of damages or anything else related to the accident.

You should never discuss fault. But, if there was a clear violation or law broken, you should call the police and report the accident. Once the situation is resolved and you get back home, call your insurance company. You should then call the collision repair Rochester, NY experts at Brothers Collision & Mechanical to get your car back to its former glory.

How Snow Tires Work

You may already know having the right tires on your car or truck during the winter is important. However, you might not fully understand why. The more you know about tires and how winter tires benefit your car, the more prepared you can be for anything Mother Nature throws your way.

The experts at Brothers Collision (automotive services Rochester, NY) can help you find the best winter snow tires for your vehicle. Sticking with the tires you have from one season to the next can increase the risk of slipping, sliding, and the likelihood of an accident.

Snow tires are truly different than regular tires. First of all, they are made with a softer and more flexible material. This material works to grip the road, rather than simply slide on top of it. The increased amount of rubber helps displace any slush and snow too. Think of it like the sole of a snow boot. They grip and keep you from falling. A snow tire acts the same way.

Snow tires also have a different kind of tread. The types of cuts and depth of the cuts displace water, snow, and ice. As it displaces all that slippery white stuff, the tires grip the road and keeps you on course.

Brothers Collision can assist you with snow tire inquiries or any other needs relating to automotive services Rochester, NY.

If you didn’t get snow tires this year, will you next winter?