Route 66 Auto Repair shop exterior with open service bays at 1775 W Foothill Blvd, Upland, California

Collision Repair Help in Upland

After a collision, Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland assesses the damage, fixes light and mechanical items, and refers structural body work honestly.

Updated 3 min readBy the Route 66 Auto Repair service team

TLDRAfter a crash we sort the damage honestly: light and mechanical work here, structural work referred, all documented with photos.

On this page

Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland is not an insurance collision center, and we want you to know that before you tow a car here. What we do after a collision is useful anyway: we assess the damage, repair light body and glass items in-house, fix the mechanical parts a crash damages, and refer structural and refinish work to a collision shop. Our ASE-certified technicians give you photos and a written estimate either way.

What should you do right after a collision?

The first hour is stressful. These steps protect you and your car.

  • Check for injuries and move to safety if the car can move
  • Photograph all vehicles, the scene and any fluid on the ground
  • Do not drive if a warning light is on, coolant is leaking or the steering pulls hard
  • Call your insurer to open a claim if you plan to use coverage
  • Arrange a tow; we accept tow-ins during business hours and have an after-hours key drop

How do we split collision work?

Most front-end hits damage two worlds at once. The body side is the bumper, the hood, the fenders and the structure behind them. The mechanical side is the radiator, the cooling system, the AC condenser, the headlamps, the tie rods and the wheels. A collision shop focuses on the first world. We focus on the second, plus light body parts that bolt or clip on.

So a minor tap might be done completely here. A harder hit might go to a collision shop for structure and paint, then come back to us for the mechanical repairs and a road test. We tell you which path fits before you commit.

Our collision repair process

  1. Step 1: Intake and photos

    We record the damage, the mileage and any warning lights on arrival.

  2. Step 2: Lift inspection

    The technician checks behind the bumper, under the car and at each wheel for bent or leaking parts.

  3. Step 3: Path decision

    We label each item in-house, collision-shop referral, or mechanical follow-up.

  4. Step 4: Written estimate

    You receive the estimate and photos, which you can share with your insurer.

What's included in our collision help

Included on the work order

5 lines
  1. 01Lift inspection of the impact area and suspension
  2. 02Cooling system and condenser leak check
  3. 03Lamp, horn and sensor function check
  4. 04Photos of damaged parts
  5. 05Written estimate labeling each repair path

Which collision repairs cannot wait?

Need now: call

Safety or strand risk
  • Coolant or oil leaks after the impact
  • A steering wheel that sits crooked or a pull to one side
  • Broken lamps or a hood that will not latch

Need later: book

Can be scheduled
  • Cosmetic scuffs on an undamaged bumper
  • Trim pieces that are cracked but secure

How pricing and timing work after a collision

Your insurer decides how a claim is paid; we give you a written estimate and photos to share. Mechanical parts such as radiators often arrive quickly. Referral work runs on the collision shop's schedule, not ours, so we tell you what we can and cannot control. Start with a crash damage assessment if you are not sure how far the damage goes.

What to watch after collision repairs

Watch the temperature gauge and the ground under the car for the first week. A steering wheel that is off center may need the alignment we arrange after suspension work, then a road test. The mechanical crash damage repair page covers the cooling, lighting and steering work in more detail.

Hand working on the red paint of a car panel
Light body work (representative photo)
Car masked for paint work in a body booth
Body and paint preparation (representative photo)

Frequently asked questions

Can you fix my car after an accident?

It depends on the damage. Light body parts and the mechanical side, such as radiators, condensers, lamps and steering parts, are work we do. Structural straightening, welded panels and full refinishing go to a collision shop, and we explain that clearly.

Can I have my car towed to you?

Yes, we accept tow-ins. If it arrives after hours, use the after-hours key drop and call (909) 608-7699 when we open so we can plan the inspection.

Do I need a separate estimate for my insurer?

Your insurer sets its own process. Our written estimate and photos document what we see, and you are free to share them. Whether the insurer uses them is its decision.

Get the estimate in writing. Then decide.

Call (909) 608-7699 or stop by 1775 W Foothill Blvd, Upland, CA 91786. Monday to Friday 8 AM–5 PM, Saturday 8 AM–2 PM, Sunday closed. We test first, write the estimate, and label what is needed now and what can wait.

Bring your key, your AAA card if you have one, and a photo of any warning light.

Call (909) 608-7699Contact Us