Here’s an additional safety feature that might prevent a fender bender in Lynnwood: safe car colors! Yes, your car’s auto paint may actually mitigate the odds of a collision. A matter of taste could possibly be a matter of safety and security. Keep this in mind when you’re in the market for a new vehicle.

Not As Safe

Visibility – others being able to see you – is an overlooked safety objective.  Research indicates that certain car colors are involved in more collisions than others. Black vehicles are 12% more likely to be involved in an accident during daylight hours, and a whopping 47% at night. 

As a general rule, dark colors blend in. Deeper shades of blue, red, green, purple, and brown are harder to see on the road, especially at night and in wet conditions.

How does gray stack up?  While gray vehicles reflect light and can be highly visible in daylight, it isn’t so good at dusk or in heavy fog.

Safer Car Colors

It stands to reason that white is highly visible in all conditions, and across day and night. Tan and beige cars are likely to stand out more, too. But if you’re looking for more pop, think about bright and light shades of greens, oranges, and yellows.  In case you’re wondering, safe car colors won’t help with your insurance premium. 

All Colors Welcome in Lynnwood

Our paint restoration covers all colors and shades; check out our gallery. Contact us at Absolute Auto Body today. Stay safe, and when you need superior paint or collision services, bring your car to Absolute Auto Body. You can trust us with all your auto body needs.

Safe Car Colors: Auto Paint Restoration for all Car Colors in Lynnwood

Two locations to serve you: Everett and Lynnwood

Posted on November 12, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

Your baby is your most precious cargo in a commute. This leads to a pressing question: Should you replace your child’s car seat after a collision? How can you tell if the seat is still safe?

When to Replace Your Child’s Car Seat After A Collision

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if your child’s seat is involved in a moderate to severe crash it needs to be replaced. How can you tell the difference between the two?

NHTSA considers an accident minor according to the following conditions.  If you can still safely operate your vehicle immediately after the collision; if the impact that occurred didn’t cause the airbags to deploy; if the door closest to the child’s seat isn’t damaged; if no one in the vehicle sustained injuries that required medical attention; and if damage to the vehicle is only aesthetic, such as a small dent in the frame or chipped auto paint.

It’s still important to inspect your child’s seat. Take off the cushion and any padding and check for cracks. Take the seat out and reinstall it. If it doesn’t fit like it did before, replace it.

Check the Car Seat Manual

Read the user manual for further instructions and inspect the seat post-accident. Some manufacturers suggest replacing the seat even after a minor collision. If you no longer have the manual, check online.

We’ll Assess the Damage in Everett

Bring your car to Absolute Auto Body if you’ve been in an accident. While we don’t inspect baby seats, we do inspect vehicles to assess the damage. Most of our services include a warranty. Contact us today to set up a free consultation for all your automotive needs.

Assessing Your Child’s Car Seat After a Collision in Everett

Two locations to serve you: Everett and Lynnwood

Posted on October 10, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

More motorists in Lynnwood are driving older cars that are on the brink of replacement. The reason is simple. An older car is paid off, less likely to be stolen, and can’t depreciate any further than it already has. This naturally leads to the question: Should you opt for collision coverage for an older car?

Collision Coverage Explained

First, we want to explain the meaning of this type of coverage since most people confuse it with comprehensive coverage. The latter covers damage from instances like vandalism, theft, and acts of nature.

Collision coverage covers scenarios where your vehicle comes into contact with another vehicle or object while in motion. This applies to stationary objects, such as a light pole. The coverage generally kicks in whether or not you caused the collision.

Collision Coverage for Older Cars; Yay or Nay?

At the very least, federal law requires liability coverage. However, does your semi-clunker really need that pricey collision coverage? This really depends. We believe it’s better to forgo it if the premiums are higher than the total value of the car. Instead, put the money you would spend for the coverage in a savings account. This is your “rainy day” account that you can tap into when it comes time for repair or replacement.

However, you may want to hold onto your collision insurance if you’re on the road a lot. Drivers experience a fender bender on average every 165,000 miles. If driving makes up a huge part of your routine, then it might be worth keeping.

We Perform Affordable Vehicle Repairs in Lynnwood

We perform a multitude of services pertaining to collision repairs, including auto paint touchups. Bring your car to Absolute Auto Body for any collision-related work. We do repairs regardless of our clients’ coverage type. 

Collision Coverage for Older Vehicles: Trustworthy Repairs in Lynnwood

Looking out for customers in Everett & Lynnwood

Posted on September 12, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

Modern cars come with a full suite of safety technology which was unavailable twenty years ago. One such technology is automatic braking. While this addition certainly gives motorists peace of mind, we have to ask if it actually prevents auto collisions.

How Automatic Braking Works

Auto manufacturers introduced the first automatic braking systems in 2006. Most systems use sensors that detect when the vehicle is in dangerously close proximity to another car or object. If the driver fails to react, the brakes automatically engage. Other systems initiate an alarm that audibly warns you when you drive too close to another vehicle.

What the Study Shows

A three-year study from Virginia Tech revealed some eye-opening information regarding vehicle collisions. The findings show that 75% of collisions were due to driver error. Of those, 68% were due, in part, to driver distraction.

A separate study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed that automatic full-braking systems curbed rear-end collisions by 40%. Vehicles equipped with audible attention warning systems had 23% fewer collisions. Researchers speculated that collisions nationwide would drop by about 13% if all vehicles had some automatic braking system in place.

The Verdict

Automatic braking has our approval, though they’re not a substitute for alert driving. Through years of customer interaction, we’ve learned that the collision claim process can be extremely stressful. This applies even for collisions only resulting in minor auto paint damage. In addition, warranties often don’t cover collisions where you were at fault, which braking systems are designed to prevent. This makes automatic brakes all the more relevant.

Avoid a Preventable Collision in Lynnwood

Absolute Auto Body recommends any technology that improves road safety. If you’re replacing an older vehicle, we suggest a newer model with this technology as standard equipment. Contact us for repairs if a collision occurs.

Automatic Braking Equipment Experts in Lynnwood

Two locations to serve you: Everett and Lynnwood

Posted on August 6, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

With school out, more teen drivers are naturally going to be on the road. Unfortunately, this also increases the possibility of collisions. Drivers under 20-years-old are the highest demographic at risk of distracted driving. How will you talk to your child about the dangers of distracted teen driving?

Set a Good Example

Can you effectively tell your teen to stay off the phone when you text & drive yourself? If you’re guilty of distracted driving, tell your child you’re in the process of improving safe driving practices. Let them know you want to practice safe driving together.

Practice Positive Reinforcement

Some negative feedback is certainly warranted. However, praise goes much further. If your teen maintains the speed limit or ignores an incoming call, then give praise where due.

Establish a Pre-Driving Checklist

Make sure your teen performs several pre-driving functions before turning the ignition. These include:

• Fastening seat belt
• Adjusting the AC/heater to the desired temperature
• Adjusting rear and side mirrors
• Setting GPS navigation
• Setting the radio to the desired station

Performing these actions before pulling out of the driveway reduces unnecessary distractions and keeps the driver focused on the road.

Practice in Heavier Traffic

Practice is the only way you get better at anything. Parents often only teach their children to drive when traffic is light. They usually don’t encounter peak traffic until they’re on their own. Be with your teen as they practice real-world traffic situations, such as merging onto a busy freeway. 

Stop Teen Distracted Driving This Summer

Aside from collision repairs, Absolute Auto Body also does auto painting touchup and other services. At times, motorists bring their car to us  with minor damage caused by an inexperienced young driver. Distracted teen driving is frequently a cause of collisions; talk to your child this summer about its dangers, and contact us today for all your auto needs.

Help with Distracted Teen Driving: Dependable Auto Collision & Dent Repair in Everett 

Quality Auto Body Collision Repairs in Everett & Lynnwood

Posted on July 8, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business