Heartland auto shop sees rush of winter weather vehicle repairs

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – Much of Wednesday’s snow has melted away and the roads are clear, but conditions caused dozens of wrecks across the Heartland.

a car covered in snow: Missouri State Highway Patrol says they got more than 100 calls from people needing service during the snow Wednesday.

© Provided by Paducah-Cape Girard KFVS-TV
Missouri State Highway Patrol says they got more than 100 calls from people needing service during the snow Wednesday.

Now, local repair shops face a rush of new customers.

Load Error

Car repairs pick up during the winter at James Auto Body and Glass.

The manager, Josh Lineberry, said in a few days he expects to see more cars coming in with damage due to Wednesday’s road conditions. “There’s a little bit of a delay in when the calls and cars start coming in from the initial accident times.”

“They’re usually taken to salvage yards if they slide off and need to be towed before they make it here,” stated Lineberry.

He said insurance is part of the reason for the delay. “The claims tend to get backed up when they all happen at once.”

According to Sergeant Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, they had more than 100 calls from people needing service by 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 27.

“We assisted 52 motorists that were stranded,” Sgt. Parrott said. “I think we worked 23 crashes yesterday with only one injury and no fatalities.”

Lineberry said those who need new car parts, may have to wait a little longer for those to arrive due to production holdup from the pandemic.

“Manufacturers are up and going again putting new parts out that weren’t in production a few months ago but they’re behind,” Lineberry said.

That’s why he tries to make temporary repairs for those waiting on certain parts.

“Whether it’s trying to glue together a lens for a headlight so it can be used while the new ones being made or taping a piece up or trying to cover a piece of broken glass that we can’t get yet,” he said.