Accident Issues

Car Pulling to One Side After Hitting Kerb or Accident

Visible damage after a collision is straightforward to find. The damage caused by crash energy travelling through the structure is not. Secondary failures often develop days or weeks after the incident, which is why any change in how your car drives, sounds, or feels after an impact needs investigating.

Accident Issues

What to Look For

Car pulling to one side — the most common sign of disturbed wheel alignment. If the car drifts left or right on a straight, level road, the alignment angles have shifted. Left uncorrected, this causes uneven tyre wear and reduces stability at speed. Our tyre fitting and alignment service can correct geometry once any structural issues are addressed.

Steering wheel off centre — sitting at a slight angle on a straight road means the wheels are no longer coordinated correctly, even if the steering components look undamaged.

Dog tracking — the rear of the car travelling slightly diagonally behind the front. A sign that the rear axle alignment has been disturbed, either by a direct rear impact or by chassis displacement from a front or side impact.

Knocking or vibration at idle or pull-away — a common sign of strained or cracked engine mounts after a frontal impact. The engine is moving more than it should within the bay.

Vague, notchy, or imprecise steering — the steering rack can be displaced by crash energy even when not near the point of impact. Any change in steering feel after a collision needs assessment.

Air suspension dropping or hissing — cracked air lines or damaged suspension units may not fail immediately. A car sitting lower on one corner, or a hissing sound developing after the incident, are both signs of this.

Accident Issues

Common Causes

Frontal collision

sends energy back through the front rails, affecting engine mounts, steering rack mounting, and front suspension geometry

Rear-end shunt

can disturb rear axle alignment and suspension components even if the boot area looks undamaged

Side impact

sill and door frame distortion can alter chassis geometry and affect how the wheels sit

Kerb or pothole strike

places stress on suspension and subframe mountings, which can shift or crack without visible external damage

Crash energy through the structure

any significant impact can affect components at a distance from the point of contact

Accident Issues

Why These Issues Get Worse

Strained components do not fail immediately. A partially cracked engine mount or a displaced steering rack worsens with every mile driven. Getting a full assessment shortly after the incident is the most reliable way to catch everything early. Our accident repair service includes a structural and mechanical check that goes beyond visible damage.

Get It Looked At

If another driver was involved, our accident claim management team manages the entire insurance process on your behalf. Read our article on how accident claim management differs from going through your insurer before making your first call. Our guide on what an accident management company actually does explains the process from start to finish.

Call 020 8798 2590 or email info@infiniti-motorgroup.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

My car felt fine after the crash but now feels different. Is that normal?

Yes. Components strained during an impact can deteriorate over days or weeks. Any change in how the car drives after a collision is worth having checked by our accident repair team.

What is dog tracking?

The rear of the car travelling diagonally rather than directly behind the front. It indicates rear axle misalignment and causes rapid tyre wear. Our tyre fitting and alignment service can address the geometry once the cause is confirmed.

Can a collision damage the engine even if the engine bay was not hit?

Yes. Crash energy travels through the structure and can strain or crack engine mounts, causing vibration and movement in the bay.

How quickly do I need to get hidden damage checked?

As soon as possible. Secondary failures worsen over time, and early assessment ensures all damage is documented correctly for an insurance claim. Our accident claim management team can start that process from your first call.