A windshield has cracked due to a tree limb striking it. This is known as ____ damage.

A windshield has cracked due to a tree limb striking it. This is known as ____ damage.

• A. Primary
• B. Secondary
• C. Tertiary
• D. Quaternary

Answer: (A)

This question tests recognizing damage caused directly by the event that initiates the failure. When the windshield cracks right where the tree limb struck it, that crack is the immediate result of the impact, so it is primary damage. Secondary damage would be problems that arise because of the initial damage, such as stress spreading to surrounding areas or additional cracks developing afterward. Tertiary and quaternary aren’t typically used to describe this scenario in auto body work.

This question tests recognizing damage caused directly by the event that initiates the failure. When the windshield cracks right where the tree limb struck it, that crack is the immediate result of the impact, so it is primary damage. Secondary damage would be problems that arise because of the initial damage, such as stress spreading to surrounding areas or additional cracks developing afterward. Tertiary and quaternary aren’t typically used to describe this scenario in auto body work.