Dear forum users,

Today I was involved in a relatively high impact collision at an intersection while driving my 2002 Accord EX sedan. While turning left through an intersection, my front left quarterpanel section of my car collided with the rear drivers side quarterpanel of another car. The left headlight is broken out, the bumper did its job and broke away with the headlight as well. The bumper is always easily replaced, and also in my favor is that the hood is in no way impeded from opening and closing properly as a result of the impact damage.

Although the fact that the engine compartment is completely intact and the hood is undamaged, what does worry me is that the steel crossbeams at the front of the car that the radiator attaches to is bent badly out of shape and the headlight within its cavity basically just exploded. I know that I can replace the bumper and mount it, but I need to ask anyone who may have any experience with this type of thing if they believe that it would be possible for me to reshape the bent metal in order to allow for the attachment of a new headlight. Attached below is a set of photos that detail the damage sustained in the collision.

Lastly, the airbags did their job and exploded violently in my face and burned the hell out of both of my forearms, but I am pleased that everything worked as it was intended to. Obviously it is not too difficult for me to remove these spent airbags and patch up the holes that were blown in both my steering wheel and passenger side dash board, but once removed I don't think that passing state inspection is possible any longer. Is buying two new airbag units and installing them to replace the ones that were spent a viable option? What do you think?

So in short, what do you think my prospects may be for the replacement of my headlight with the damage that I have sustained? I am trying to remain optimistic about it and think to myself that I can make it work somehow, but I would also really appreciate a realistic assessment. Any help that anyone can offer will be appreciated hugely and in advance I thank you for your time and for reading.

Thanks,
-Mike

 

Main concern is verifying that the body itself is still square and undamaged. The subframe may have shifted and may need to be realigned with the body.
If the frame/subframe/suspension are fine then look into replacing all the front end sheetmetal. Then look into finding a car that has not been in a front end wreck and replace all the damaged parts including airbag modules and airbags.
Buying airbags new will be cost prohibitive on a car of this age.