Be Prepared For An Early Pothole Season in West Michigan

January 13, 2023 · 4 min read

After two huge snowstorms around the holidays, West Michigan warmed right up for January. While we may welcome the respite from the bitter cold, this has also brought an early pothole season to Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. Potholes can happen anywhere, and can really damage your vehicle if you hit one just right. The best thing to do is avoid potholes altogether, but that isn't always possible. This article, which we've updated from a previous one, explains how potholes form, what parts of your vehicle they could damage, and steps you can take to minimize their impact.

Where Do Potholes Come From?

Potholes form when warm water settles into cracks in the pavement. This water can wash away the supportive layer of sand or substrate below the pavement. When the temperature drops and that water freezes, it expands as it turns into ice, forcing the cracks wider and letting even more water in next thaw. Eventually, whether by plow truck or total loss of supporting earth, the pothole collapses, leaving a dangerous hole in the road. These vary in depth from one inch to possibly several, and if they're full of water it's impossible for a driver to tell.

If I Have No Choice But To Drive Through A Pothole, What Do I Do?

If you're driving and spot a pothole (or a suspicious puddle in most cases) the best thing to do is check your surroundings and safely navigate around it. However, in many cases that won't be possible, or the maneuver could endanger you or other drivers. This doesn't mean you're doomed to a doozy of a repair bill. Here are a couple of steps to minimize or even avoid damage to your vehicle.

Slow down as much as you safely can, the slower you're going, the less force your wheel stikes the pothole with. Remember, you're hitting the side of the pothole opposite you and then climbing out, so that means you're going to want to drive through it as straight as possible. This spreads out the impact into the width of the tire and not the metal rim. Wheels or rims, being made of a rigid metal alloy, can crack if they impact on an angle, and don't absorb shock like tires can. The less that gets through the initial impact, the less your suspension has to absorb.

Here's a quick play-by-play of what to do:

Brake and square up with the pothole to go through it straight and as slowly as possible.
Just before impact, release the brake. Hold the steering wheel firm to keep the vehicle traveling straight.
Wait for the rear wheel to clear the pothole, then gently press the throttle.
Feel and listen for any new noises, behavior, or changes in handling.

What Parts Of My Vehicle Can Be Damaged By a Pothole?

Any number of things can sustain damage, including splits in your tire, catastrophic damage to shocks, or even a cracked windshield. In most cases where there's severe damage, we end up replacing parts of the suspension. Some of these parts, such as the shocks and to a lesser extent the coil-over struts, need to be replaced over the life of your vehicle anyway. If the pothole damage is just to these parts, the repair is pretty simple. However, other parts like the tie rods and control arms can be bent or damaged too, and for those, the repairs will take a little longer.

If your vehicle suffers cosmetic damage, our Collision Center will work tirelessly to restore your vehicle to pre-incident condition. That includes sourcing top-quality or genuine OEM parts, thoroughly inspecting your vehicle for hidden damage, to working with your insurance company on your behalf. We have courtesy vehicles available as well, so you don't need to rely on renting a vehicle if your insurance doesn't cover it. Remember, per Michigan law, you have the right to choose your collision center, not your insurance company.

In the majority of cases where a concerned driver brings in their vehicle for inspection, the damage, if any, is very minor. If anything, you may need a new tire or even just an alignment. Our technicians will look over your vehicle carefully and recommend what needs replacing now and what can wait until later, giving you peace of mind. If you've noticed any strange handling or noises after driving through a pothole, Schedule An Appointment with the Borgman Service Center today and come see why we're the Best in the West!

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Oct 31, 2024 in Body Shop

Tips for Avoiding and Handling a Deer Collision

One of the most common accidents in West Michigan is car / deer collisions. The Borgman Collision Center has gained recognition as “Deer Hit Headquarters” because of our expertise. Each year, there are more than 60,000 reported vehicle-deer crashes in Michigan. About 80 percent of these crashes occur on two-lane roads between dusk and dawn. The most serious crashes occur when motorists swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or a fixed object, or when their vehicle rolls over. If you have an accident, bring your vehicle to The Borgman Collision Center for a Free Estimate! We work with all insurance companies and we offer: Expert Collision Repair - Free Estimates - Free Loaners - Fast Turnaround - All Makes & Models. ICAR Gold Certified Collision Technicians. Here are some tips to avoid a crash: Stay aware, awake and sober. Vehicle-deer crashes occur year-round, but be especially alert in spring and fall Signs are placed at known deer crossing areas to alert you of the possible presence of deer. Deer are herd animals and frequently travel in single file. If you see one deer cross the road, chances are there are more waiting. Be alert for deer, especially at dawn and dusk. If you see one, slow down. Don't rely on gimmicks, flashing your high-beam headlights or honking your horn to deter deer. If a crash is unavoidable: Don't swerve! Brake firmly, hold onto the steering wheel and bring your vehicle to a controlled stop. Pull off the road, turn on your emergency flashers and be cautious of other traffic if you leave your vehicle. Report the crash to the nearest police agency and your insurance company. Have your vehicle towed to Borgman Body Shop. Borgman Body Shop will return your vehicle to factory specifications using the latest technology and repair techniques. We understand that good collision repair doesn’t just mean your car looks like new, but it needs to retain all the safety and security features that were designed into it when new.

Jan 31, 2019 in Body Shop

West Michigan Winter Auto Accident? Trust The Experts at the Borgman Collision Center

This year, the 2019 West Michigan winter weather arrived late and is certainly making up for lost time. During the extensive snowfall, road conditions have gone from slippery to outright dangerous. This is made since the temperatures have been too low for salt to have any effect on the roads. We sincerely hope everyone is driving safe out in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, but if your vehicle is damaged this winter in an accident we're here to help. Borgman Collision Will Work With Your Insurance Company Choose Borgman Collision For Winter Auto Accident Repair in Grand Rapids & West Michigan The Borgman Collision Center is Grand Rapids & West Michigan's one stop shop for every collision repair need. No matter what make of vehicle you drive, our experienced team of professionals will work with your insurance company and restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition. What sets us apart is our dedication to ensuring the customer has a good experience every step of the way, even though the circumstances of their visit are less than ideal. Despite what you might think (or what might be implied,) by Michigan law you have the right to choose your own collision repair center. Insurance companies prefer to send your vehicle to one of their partner shops in the area. It's not always true, but this can often mean corners will be cut before and during the repair process to save on costs. For example, lower-quality parts may be used and inspections might not be done thoroughly. Rest assured, Borgman Collision will negotiate with your insurer on your behalf and ensure the highest-quality parts available are used, and your vehicle is carefully inspected for hidden damage that may have occurred. We work for you, the customer, not the insurance companies and we promise to keep your best interests in the forefront. Here are some reasons to choose us to restore your vehicle should it become damaged this winter: Work with all insurance companies Service all makes and models Lifetime warranty on workmanship for as long as you're the owner of the vehicle We have Factory-trained and certified technicians I-CAR Platinum certified technicians I-CAR Gold certified shop for over 12 years Certified to repair the All-new aluminum Ford F-150 We use as many factory OEM parts as possible Available pick-up and delivery service Free loaner vehicles Se Habla Español If your vehicle is damaged in an accident this winter season, the Borgman Collision Center in Grand Rapids will handle all the details so that you don't have to! Give us a call at 616-249-8857 or visit our Collision Repair Center Page for more information.

Jun 20, 2018 in Body Shop

Borgman Collision Center: De-Mystifying The Auto Insurance Claims Process in West MI

Borgman Ford is Grand Rapids & West Michigan’s one stop shop for all of your collision repair needs. Whether you drive a Ford, Mazda, or any other make of vehicle, our experienced team of professionals will restore your vehicle to pre-accident condition. If you’re visiting the Borgman Ford Collision Center, chances are you’re not having the best day of your life. Customers sometimes have to spend untold amounts of time on the phone with their insurance company, only to come away with incomplete or conflicting information. Below, we’re going to go over a few common points of confusion when navigating the collision repair process. We’ll also highlight some of the services we provide to get your vehicle back on the road faster and lessen the inconvenience. By Michigan Law, You Have The Right To Choose Your Own Body Shop If you’ve ever been in an accident, right after reporting it to the police you usually spend some time on the phone with your insurance company. The insurance company may tell you exactly which shop to take your vehicle to. This might make you feel uneasy, and rightfully so – you may not know this shop or their reputation. Choosing your own collision center is your decision by law. However, don’t expect the claims representative to just say, "Ok." Remember the insurance companies have agreements with one or more shops in your area. They'll want to send referrals to them in exchange for lower rates and the use of used or aftermarket parts. A common tactic used to funnel customers to their preferred shops is to warn them about possible delays, added hassle, special requirements, added cost or less warranty coverage, which wouldn't be a problem with their preferred shop. Do not allow yourself to be pressured by this. Insurance companies have certain expectations their preferred shop must maintain, so the insurance company who sends the most business their way, gets their rules followed more closely than others. So, if you are one of the unfortunate customers who have insurance through a smaller company, you will be delayed in the repair process so the larger insurance companies get their needs taken care of first. We treat all customers fairly and perform the repairs as quickly as possible. Rest assured: the Borgman Ford Collision Team has many years of experience negotiating with insurance companies and will do so on your behalf. We will make sure your vehicle gets thoroughly inspected, and the work gets done right the first time - complete with a lifetime warranty. We make every attempt to use original new parts as recommended by the manufacturer, even if we have to lose some money on the repairs. Your vehicle will also be returned to you in a timely fashion, no matter what kind of horror stories the adjuster is telling you over the phone. "We will work with any insurer to get the job done, but we work to satisfy the customer's needs first," says John Workman, the Body Shop Manager at Borgman Collision. "Not officially partnering with insurers has allowed us to advocate for the owner - they're ultimately who we want to leave happy." No, You Don't Need An Estimate For Approval From Your Insurer Although you will get an estimate for the cost of repairs to your vehicle from Borgman Ford, it may not necessary for the insurance company to have one before the process can begin. Your insurance company may accept our estimate or send their adjuster who inspects the damage to your vehicle and makes a determination as to what the cost of the damage is. The funds are intended to compensate your losses for the damage to the vehicle, and Borgman Ford can help by negotiating that amount to ensure that it’s enough to restore the vehicle to pre-incident condition. This brings us to our next point: If Your Vehicle Is In Our Facility, The Adjuster Will Be Able To See Hidden Damage Even if you were only in a minor fender-bender, there may be hidden damage to structural or mechanical components of your vehicle, so it’s worth having it looked over. Insurance adjusters are trained professionals that do this every day, but in some cases, it’s not always possible to inspect a vehicle fully when at your home or at a drive-up facility. Borgman Ford will ensure that the adjuster has the ability and resources to go through your vehicle with a fine-toothed comb while we act as an extra set of eyes during the process for you. Choose Borgman Collision For Auto Accident Repair in Grand Rapids & West Michigan If you’re involved in an auto accident while out cruising West Michigan, let the experts at Borgman Ford Collision take the hassle out of the insurance and repair process. No matter the extent of the damage, our team has many years of experience restoring all makes and models to their original condition and navigating the insurance claims process. As a "one-stop" collision repair center, we do everything we can to lessen the inconvenience for our customers. We work for you, the customer, not the insurance companies and we promise to keep your best interests in the forefront of the repair process. Here are some of the benefits of choosing us: We work with all insurance companies We service all makes and models Lifetime warranty on workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle Factory-trained and certified technicians I-CAR Platinum certified technicians I-CAR Gold certified shop for over 12 years All-new aluminum F-150 Ford certified We use as many factory OEM parts as possible Pick-up and delivery service available Free loaner vehicles available Se Habla Español Should you find yourself in need of our services, we'll keep you moving and handle all the details so that you don't have to! Give us a call at 616-249-8857 or visit our Collision Repair Center Page for more information.

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