Accidents happen, but backing into your garage door can be alarming. It can happen if you mistakenly hit the gas instead of your brake, if your car or truck malfunctions, or if the driveway is slick from grease or ice. To ensure everyone’s safety, regroup and make sure that you and your passengers are okay before taking another action.
After everyone’s safety is confirmed, you’ll want to consider steps to fix your garage door and how Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie can help. With thousands of garage door accident fixes under our belt, we’ll help you resolve the issue ASAP.
Assess the Damage to Your Garage Door
Your garage door includes heavy mechanical parts. Hence, it’s essential to inspect it without opening it to ensure proper garage door safety.
Examine the outside where your vehicle impacted and check for structural damage. Then, go into the garage to check for damage from the inside. If you were inside when the accident occurred, use the side door and check outside for damage.
Garage door damage might include:
- A broken or misaligned roller or track
- A splintered or broken panel
- Snapped cables
- Broken springs
Note: Before inspecting the door, examine your home’s foundation to see if there’s any damage if you partially hit your home. If there’s damage, contact a licensed contractor in your area for repairs.
Attempting to Open Your Garage Door After the Accident
Don’t open the garage door immediately until you can align the rails. If they’re not aligned, the door may suddenly come down.
If the door is still on the track, you can attempt to manually open it by disconnecting the garage door opener. However, you should try to open it slowly and listen for any unusual sounds that may indicate hidden damage. If it operates smoothly, that’s good.
If your garage door doesn’t open properly, don’t force it. It likely needs repair. Turn to the experts for help getting your door back in working order.
Contact Your Insurance Agent
Call your home and auto insurance providers to schedule inspections so you can report damage to your vehicle and home, schedule repairs and file claims to cover the damages. If you have the warranty information on your existing garage door, have that ready when you report your claim so you can relay the type of materials used in your door.
Because they might not be able to come out the same day, document the damage by taking pictures and videos. You might need to measure the dent with a tape measure. This is especially helpful when checking with your insurance to see if it will cover the cost of repairs.
Call Us for Emergency Garage Door Repair
If the garage door is completely off the track or severely damaged and can’t fully open or shut, emergency repair is needed. Backed by excellent reviews, Overhead Door Co. of Indianapolis & Muncie offers emergency garage door repairs. We can inspect and identify the necessary repairs or suggest garage door replacement options.
Schedule garage door repair in Indianapolis or Muncie by contacting us today. Check out our online promos when you request service.
