What to Do When Your Windshield Shatters While Driving
You’re driving along down the road when suddenly you hear a thud on the windshield. Next thing you know, your central glass has a crack in it. As you continue driving, this crack can become more prominent and your windshield may shatter in seconds. You should always have a plan in place so that you know what to do in case this situation ever arises. If you have children that are getting their license, you should also go over these procedures with them, so that they don’t end up hurting themselves or another person on the road because of a windshield accident.
Windshield glass is designed to be sturdy. The lens itself has several layers so that even if there’s a chip on the outer layer, the individuals within the car are still protected. A damaged windshield reduces visibility, making it dangerous to drive. Any chips in the windshield also weaken the glass, which is designed to protect you in case of accidents. If you are driving around with a cracked windshield and get into an auto accident, the results can be devastating. An impact can cause the glass to shatter completely, flying into the car and causing cuts and bruises.
Here are the steps you should take to ensure safety when your windshield shatters while driving.
Pull Your Car Over and Assess the Damage
If your windshield gets hit in any way while you’re driving, you shouldn’t attempt to keep going and assess the damage at the same time. Pull your car over as soon as you can. Check to make sure that it is safe to go out and assess the damage from inside and outside. You should also take pictures of the damage for your insurance company because they will likely cover the cost depending on what caused the glass to shatter.
Call Your Local Glass Shop
If there’s a small hole and the glass is sturdy and not breaking off, it’s safe to get back in and drive to a shop. Some cracks can be repaired if they are small enough. A bigger hole that causes a large amount of glass to shatter calls for a replacement. When you’re looking for a glass shop, make sure that they are registered under the Auto Glass Safety Council. Auto glass is regulated, and top shops make sure they use only the highest-quality glass and installation methods to ensure total safety.
If you have any questions about your windshield glass, contact Smiley’s Glass at 804-320-7172. We’ve been proudly serving the Richmond, VA, area since 1963. Our technicians are certified by the AGSC and only use the most modern, tested methods for installing auto glass. Don’t put yourself in danger by driving around with a cracked windshield. Call in an expert that can correctly assess whether your car needs a windshield replacement or a simple repair. Many insurance companies cover the cost of broken glass, so it’s best to get this problem taken care of right away. Call us today and get your vehicle repaired in as little as 24 hours.
