Does a smashed front face count as a major accident?
2 Answers
Whether a smashed front face counts as a major accident requires further inspection. The main checks include whether the vehicle's structural integrity is compromised, such as whether the engine compartment has suffered structural deformation from the impact, or whether the left and right longitudinal beams and front shock absorber suspensions have been damaged or deformed. If structural components are damaged, the vehicle can be classified as a major accident car. If only decorative or covering parts like the front bumper, fenders, or headlights are damaged, it can be classified as a minor accident. The vehicle is considered an accident car if it meets any of the following criteria: 1. The vehicle has suffered impact damage to the engine compartment or passenger compartment. 2. The rear fender has been damaged by impact exceeding one-third of its area. 3. The longitudinal beams have undergone welding, cutting, reshaping, or deformation. 4. The shock absorber mounts have undergone welding, cutting, reshaping, or deformation. 5. The A, B, or C pillars have undergone welding, cutting, reshaping, or deformation. 6. The vehicle's airbags have deployed due to impact. 7. Other non-removable parts have undergone significant welding, cutting, reshaping, or deformation. 8. The vehicle body has been submerged in water exceeding half of its height, or water has entered the passenger compartment. 9. The vehicle body has been burned over an area exceeding 0.5 square meters, and safety hazards remain after repair.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many similar cases. When the front end of a car gets smashed, it's usually considered a major accident. The reason is simple—the front contains critical structures like the frame, engine, and radiator. Damage to these not only makes repairs expensive but also compromises driving safety. For example, if the frame is deformed, the steering wheel might become unstable at high speeds; if airbags deployed, resale value drops immediately. From my experience, it's best not to force driving and instead have a professional repair shop conduct a full inspection, including the chassis and suspension. Insurance companies will likely flag it as a major accident, leading to higher premiums later. To save money, I recommend regular maintenance checks on front-end components to prevent issues before they occur.
