Effects of Hail Damage on Car Safety: Understanding the Impact

Hail and the damage it brings is a common concern for almost every vehicle owner. And it’s not merely about restoring the appearance and value of the car. Hail can damage different components, impacting their safety, performance, and structural integrity.

If you’re concerned about the effects of hail damage on car safety, you need to keep reading this blog. We’ll highlight key areas of concern so you can make sure to check and address the issues before they escalate.

Different Ways Hail Can Damage Your Car

We know hail storms can cause significant damage. According to a report issued by State Farm, the company paid about $3.5 billion in hail claims in 2022. It is also worth noting that in the year 2023, there were 6,962 hail events in the United States, which was an increase from 4,436 in the previous year.

The cost of repairing a hail-damaged car can vary depending on the severity of the storm, the size of the hailstone, and wind speed. While some hail damage, like minor dents or chipped paint, might seem cosmetic, they can escalate into safety concerns if left unaddressed. On the other hand, issues such as cracked windshields and broken lights are immediate safety risks, so they demand urgent repairs to ensure safe driving conditions.

Here is a list of some common types of damage:

Minor Dents

Small dents are the most frequent type of hail damage. They often affect large flat surfaces, such as the hood, roof, and doors. While it may seem purely cosmetic, multiple dents on the same panel can weaken your car’s structure.

Cracked Windshields

Hailstones that strike your car at high speeds can crack or shatter windshields. This not only obstructs visibility but also compromises their structural integrity in accidents.

Broken Lights

Tail lights, headlights, and indicators are especially vulnerable to hail impacts. Damaged lights can affect safe driving by reducing visibility for the driver and other vehicles.

Chipped Paint

Chipped or scratched paint exposes the car’s metal to moisture, leading to rust over time. Rust can weaken the body and make the car less safe in collisions.

Importance of Repairing Hail Damage

Hail damage and vehicle safety are closely linked. So, ignoring damage like dents and cracks can compromise the structural integrity, visibility, and overall reliability of your car. The issues can escalate quickly into more serious problems. By addressing the damage early on, you can prevent the cost of repairs from soaring while helping to preserve the vehicle’s resale value.

Effects of Hail Damage on Car Safety

Let’s look more closely at how hail can impact various safety aspects of your car.

Impact on Structural Integrity

Hail damage can significantly impact your vehicle’s structural integrity. Dents on the car’s surface may disrupt its aerodynamic design, reducing fuel efficiency and stability at higher speeds. Moreover, water can pool in the roof and hood dents from hail, leading to rust. Over time, rust weakens the car’s body, making it more vulnerable to further damage.

Hailstones can also chip paint, exposing the underlying metal to moisture, or they can cause cracks in the car’s body, allowing water to seep into critical areas, such as the engine or interior. This can potentially lead to electrical malfunctions and interior damage. The compromised structural integrity from hail damage can weaken the car’s frame, increasing the risk of serious injury to passengers in the event of an accident.

Impact on Tires and Suspension

You’ll be surprised to learn that your car can face suspension issues from hail. Hail damage can indirectly affect a vehicle’s tires and suspension, especially if the hailstones are big or the storm is accompanied by flying. Repeated strikes to the undercarriage can weaken the suspension components, leading to uneven wear of the tires.

Additionally, tires may be damaged when hailstones or sharp debris become lodged in the tread. Believe it or not, tire damage from hailstorms can result in reduced stability, poor handling, and an increased risk of accidents.

Impact on Windshield and Windows

Source: pixabay

Hail damage to the windshield, windows, and side mirrors can significantly affect visibility and driving safety. Cracked or shattered glass can obstruct the driver’s view, making it harder to navigate safely, particularly in low-light or adverse weather conditions.

But besides the fact that hail damage windshield cracks can reduce visibility, they can also become a structural hazard during an accident. Instead of protecting the passengers, the shattered glass can break into shards and cause severe injury. Addressing windshield hail damage and window glass safety promptly improves visibility and reinforces the protective role of the windshield.

Impact on Vehicle Performance

Hail damage can compromise a vehicle’s performance. For instance, besides the cracked windshield safety concerns mentioned above, it can make it very hard for divers to see clearly. Similarly, damaged side mirrors, taillights, and headlights can hamper visibility and create signaling issues, posing safety risks for both the driver and other cars.

Likewise, damage to the braking system can compromise braking performance, while cameras and safety sensors damaged by hail can affect various safety systems of the car. And that takes up to the next point.

Impact on Advanced Safety Features

Hail damage can significantly impact your car’s safety features by disrupting essential sensors and cameras. Parking sensors and cameras may become misaligned or damaged, increasing the risk of accidents during parking or maneuvering.

Similarly, many modern vehicles are fitted with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Hail damage to the cameras and sensors in the ADAS can disrupt or make essential features ineffective, such as lane departure warnings, automatic braking, and collision avoidance.

Impact on Airbag Deployment

Hail damage can lead to airbag deployment issues, compromising one of the most critical safety features in your vehicle. The airbags in modern cars rely on sensors strategically placed around the car to detect collisions and deploy accordingly. If these sensors are damaged, misaligned, or obstructed due to hail impact, they may fail to trigger the airbags in an accident or cause them to deploy unexpectedly. In both scenarios, airbag deployment issues from hail damage pose serious safety risks.

Impact of Water Leaks from Hail Damage

Source: Freepik

Hail damage can compromise the seals around windows, doors, and the sunroof, creating gaps that allow water to seep into your vehicle. Over time, this water intrusion can lead to interior damage, such as mold or upholstery deterioration.

Water leaks can lead to electrical issues. The wiring, fuses, and onboard electronics are especially vulnerable to water exposure. So, if water reaches the sensitive electrical components, it can result in malfunctions or short circuits.

Hail damage and electrical system failure go hand in hand. It’s best to address hail-damaged seals promptly, as they not only affect the comfort and functionality of your car but can also pose safety hazards, possibly leading to the complete breakdown of key vehicle systems.

Proactively Address Hail Damage

The effects of hail damage on car safety are an important concern. They can impact critical systems such as airbags, sensors, cameras, seals, tires, and suspension, ultimately compromising the vehicle’s reliability. By prioritizing repairs and proactively maintaining your car, you can ensure it remains safe.

A professional assessment from a reputable auto body repair shop like Auto Rapid Hail Repair can help identify hidden damage. We can restore your vehicle’s safety and performance. Above all, our team can handle all your insurance claims-related processes, helping to streamline your hail damage repair journey.

Don’t let hail damage jeopardize your safety. Take action today to keep your vehicle in mint condition.