# Crumple zones partially collapsed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nitro, dodge\ **Created:** [September 13, 2017, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773 "2017-09-13T23:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![melott](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/melott/32/10827_2.png) [@melott](https://community.cartalk.com/u/melott)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/1 "2017-09-13T23:20:00Z")
My brother has an accident in his 07 nitro. Body shop estimate is large compared with cash value of car. He is considering doing minimal functional repair (eg headlight) and driving it. Body man had told him that a crumple zone was partially collapsed and the car might be somewhat dangerous. I have the impression that this is not very much, as the car does not look crooked. Would you drive such a car? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/2 "2017-09-13T23:26:33Z")
One body shop opinion isn’t enough. Get a couple more informed opinions from 2 shops who’ve put the car on their lift and taken a look at it. So after that you’ll have 3 independent opinions. If 2 say “yes, its ok to drive”, go with that, do what you’re suggesting. If 2 say “no”, then either fix the safety problems first or sell/junk it. There may be insurance company rules and state DMV rules involved also. ---
**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/3 "2017-09-14T00:13:55Z")
The crumple zone did it’s job absorbing energy to minimize the force on the passengers. Now that it has been compromised, even a little, it cannot do a good job on the next accident. Some will argue that I won’t have another accident for a long time, but another one could happen tomorrow morning. With a compromised body and frame (crumple zone components) the next minor accident can end up being very serious. Get the car fixed or sell it for parts. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/4 "2017-09-14T00:18:42Z")
Can you post photos of the damage? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/5 "2017-09-14T00:18:45Z")
> [@melott](#): > > as the car does not look crooked. Would you drive such a car? No… ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/6 "2017-09-14T01:12:59Z")
> [@melott](#): > > Would you drive such a car? Considering I’ve driven thousands of miles on a motorcycle…of course I would. ;-] ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/7 "2017-09-14T02:11:24Z")
Just a matter of perspective … lol … ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/crumple-zones-partially-collapsed/107773/8 "2017-09-14T02:38:34Z")
The title may turn to a salvage title that can have insurance issues.