Commercial Vehicle Accident Repairs in Tyne and Wear

An accident involving a commercial vehicle is stressful on top of the practical problem: the vehicle may be your livelihood, and there may be paperwork, an insurer and a customer waiting on a delivery.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn our coachworks and bodyshop carries out accident repairs on commercial vehicles. This page explains what happens after a collision and what we can help with, without pretending that every repair is the same.

First steps after a collision

Safety comes first. If anyone is hurt, call the emergency services. If the vehicle is in a dangerous spot, only move it if it is safe to do so, and use your hazard lights.

Take photographs of the scene and the damage, and note the details of anyone involved. Speak to your insurer about how they want repairs handled, as some policies have requirements about who carries out the work. We do not give insurance advice, so check your own policy.

What accident repair involves

Collision damage often goes deeper than the dent you can see. We look at panels, mountings, lights, mirrors and the surrounding structure, and check for things that may have been pushed out of line.

Once the extent is clear, we agree a plan: which panels are repaired, which are replaced, and what needs refinishing. Where steering, suspension or brakes look affected, they need checking before the vehicle goes back to work, and we will tell you if a vehicle should not be driven.

• Inspection of visible and hidden damage
• Repair or replacement of damaged panels
• Refinishing to suit the existing paintwork
• Checks on lights, mirrors and fittings

What affects the timescale and the cost

Both depend on the damage. A contained impact to one corner is different from a collision that spreads across a cab and body. Parts availability, the paint involved and whether damage emerges once panels are removed all play a part.

Where an insurer is involved, their authorisation and assessment can also shape the timeline. We do not quote figures without seeing the vehicle, and we will explain any changes before they are made.

Getting the vehicle to us

If the vehicle cannot be driven safely, do not drive it. We provide vehicle recovery, so ask about getting it to Hebburn. Bring any paperwork or insurer reference you have, along with notes on how the accident happened.

It also helps to tell us how the vehicle is used, so we can discuss priorities. Not every repair is possible or sensible on every vehicle, and in some cases the right decision is that the repair does not make economic sense. That depends on inspection and, where relevant, the insurer.