After being involved in a rear-end collision with either an object or another vehicle, you may have looked over your car and found only minor scratches or dents in the body. If you feel that the vehicle is driveable, you may not give it much more thought. However, there could be a couple of types of hidden damage done to your car's body after a collision that should be addressed.

1.  The Trunk May Have Been Knocked Out of Alignment

One possible type of damage that you may not notice after your car's rear-end collision is that the trunk may have been knocked out of alignment. At first, the damage may be so subtle that you may not even realize something is wrong.

However, as the days go by, you may find that you struggle to close the trunk, having to slam it down to get it to latch. You may also find that water leaks in around the edges when it rains.

If your trunk was knocked out of alignment, this issue is often more than a mild inconvenience. Since the truck is no longer in alignment, the straightness and strength of the rear end of the car have been affected. Not only could this affect your ability to drive, but it could also result in more damage if you are involved in another accident in the future.

2.  The Car's Frame May Have Been Bent or Cracked

Another issue with your car's body that you may not be aware of after an accident is that the frame may have sustained damage. Even a minor collision with something could cause the frame to bend or even crack.

The car's frame does more than help the vehicle maintain its shape. It serves as a cushion from any impacts, allowing it to take the brunt of force instead of the engine or even the passengers.

If the frame was damaged, it will no longer have the ability to fully protect you in another accident.

While the above types of car body damage usually come with signs that something is wrong, it is possible that you may never know there is an issue without having the car looked at by a professional. As soon as possible after your accident, take your car to a collision center so that they can thoroughly inspect your vehicle to check for any hidden damage so that they can take action to repair anything that they may find.