What to Do After Backing Into Your Garage Door

It happens more often than you’d think you’re in a rush, forget to open the garage door, or misjudge the distance while reversing. Backing into your garage door can be frustrating, stressful, and potentially costly. The good news? Not all damage means full replacement, and knowing what to do next can save you time and money.

Here’s how Lincoln, NE homeowners should respond after a garage door collision.

1. Stop and Assess the Damage

First, stay calm. Avoid operating the garage door until you’ve taken a close look. Check for:

• Dented panels
• Bent tracks or rails
• Loose or hanging rollers
• Cracked hinges or broken brackets

Even if the door still moves, forcing it to open or close could make the problem worse. If anything looks crooked, jammed, or loud, stop using it immediately.

For more signs to watch for, check out How to Tell If Your Garage Door Needs Repair or Replacement.

2. Don’t Try to Force It Open

If the door is jammed or partially off track, don’t try to open it with the opener or manually. You could:

• Strip the gears inside the opener
• Pull the door further off its track
• Snap a cable or spring under tension

Instead, disconnect the opener and call a technician to avoid turning a minor fix into a full replacement.

3. Determine If It’s a Repair or Replacement

In some cases, a single dented panel or misaligned track can be repaired. But if multiple sections are damaged, or the impact compromised the structure, replacement may be the smarter route.

We break down the differences in Garage Door Repair vs. Replacement: What’s Best for Your Lincoln, NE Home?.

4. Call a Professional Garage Door Technician in Lincoln

A licensed garage door specialist can inspect the damage, realign the tracks, replace broken parts, and let you know if you need a full replacement.

At Next Day Garage Doors, we offer same-day emergency garage door repair in Lincoln, so you’re not left stuck or exposed.

5. Talk to Your Insurance Provider

Depending on your coverage, your homeowners’ or auto policy may cover part of the repair. Make sure to document the damage with photos and get a written repair estimate from your garage door company.

Accidents Happen. We’re Here to Help.

Whether you’ve dented a panel, knocked the door off its track, or caused your opener to fail, we’ll help you get back on track quickly and safely.

Contact us today for fast, reliable garage door repair service in Lincoln, NE. We’ll assess the damage, give you honest options, and make sure your door is safe, functional, and secure.

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