Home / Service Areas / Auto Body & Collision Repair in Bradenton, FL
Auto Body & Collision Repair in Bradenton, FL
Hometown collision repair on US-41 in Bradenton, with 24/7 towing, free loaners, all-insurance claim help and a lifetime warranty on workmanship.
If you live or work in Bradenton, you've probably driven past us without realizing it. Firkins Collision Center sits at 2700 1st St, right on US-41 between Manatee Avenue and Cortez Road, a few minutes south of the Manatee River and downtown. We've been fixing Bradenton cars, trucks and SUVs for more than 20 years, and we know the roads that put dents in them: the Manatee Avenue stop-and-go, the merge where US-301 peels off 1st Street, the Cortez Road lunch rush and every parking lot fender bender in between.
This page is for Bradenton drivers who want a straight answer about where to take a damaged vehicle, how the process works, and what to expect from a local shop that repairs all makes and models.
Why Bradenton Drivers Choose a Shop on 1st Street
Location matters more than people think after a crash. A shop in the middle of town means shorter tows, easier drop-offs and less time away from work. From most Bradenton neighborhoods you're on one of three main roads — Manatee Avenue (SR-64), Cortez Road (SR-684) or 53rd Avenue (SR-70) — and all three hit 1st Street within a short drive of our door.
Inside, you'll find roughly 10,000 square feet of repair space set up for everything from scuffed bumpers to structural damage:
- Frame machines and computer-assisted measuring to return unibody and frame dimensions to factory specs
- A dedicated paint booth with an environmentally friendly waterborne paint system for accurate color matching
- I-CAR- and ASE-certified technicians with ongoing training
- OEM parts whenever possible, plus an on-site Mopar parts department
- A lifetime warranty on parts and labor — see the details on our lifetime warranty page
Bradenton Roads and the Damage We See
Every town has its own crash patterns. In Bradenton, a lot of what rolls into our bays starts on a handful of familiar stretches.
Manatee Avenue and the downtown couplet
Through downtown, SR-64 splits into a one-way pair, with eastbound traffic on 6th Avenue and westbound on Manatee Avenue. Drivers who don't do it every day get caught in the wrong lane, brake late, and the car behind them doesn't. Low-speed rear-end collisions are the result, and they often hide bumper reinforcement and sensor damage behind a cover that looks fine.
US-41 / 1st Street and the US-301 split
Coming south off the DeSoto Bridge, 1st Street carries both US-41 and US-301 until US-301 angles away to the southeast toward Samoset and Oneco. Lane changes near that split, plus heavy turning traffic into shopping centers along 1st Street, lead to sideswipes and corner hits.
Cortez Road and 14th Street West
Cortez Road is a constant mix of commuters, beach traffic and shoppers. 14th Street West (Business US-41) runs parallel to 1st Street with tight driveways and frequent turns. Expect door dings, scraped quarter panels and fender benders.
Seasonal and event traffic
From roughly January through April, seasonal residents fill Bradenton roads, and spring training games around LECOM Park on 9th Street West add game-day congestion. More cars plus unfamiliar drivers usually means more parking lot and intersection damage.
Summer storms and street flooding
Afternoon downpours can turn low spots along Wares Creek and parts of south Bradenton into standing water fast. Driving through it can damage more than paint. If your vehicle took on water or was hit by debris, our storm and flood damage team can help you figure out next steps.
Getting to Our Shop From Around Bradenton
| Starting point | Easiest route to 2700 1st St |
|---|---|
| Downtown / Riverwalk | Head south on 1st Street (US-41); we're a short drive down, before you reach Cortez Road. |
| Village of the Arts / south Bradenton | Take 14th Street West or 9th Street West to 26th or 27th Avenue, then east to 1st Street. |
| Bayshore Gardens / Cortez Road | Take Cortez Road east to US-41, then turn north on 1st Street. |
| East Bradenton / Tropicana area | Take US-301 north toward 1st Street, or use Manatee Avenue west and turn south on 1st Street. |
| Oneco / Samoset | SR-70 (53rd Avenue) west to US-41, then north on 1st Street. |
Can't get here? We offer complimentary pickup and delivery, plus a shuttle service and free loaner vehicles (or help setting up a rental). More on that on our loaner and rental cars page.
If You've Just Been in an Accident in Bradenton
- Get safe and call for help if anyone is hurt.
- Document the scene with photos of all vehicles, the road and any signage.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Call for a tow if needed: our 24/7 line is (941) 749-1450.
- Start your claim and tell your insurer where you want the car repaired.
Our blog walks through this in more detail: what to do after a car accident in Bradenton.
Insurance Help Without the Runaround
We work with all insurance companies and help with the claim paperwork from the first call. Your insurer may suggest a shop, but in Florida the decision about where your vehicle is repaired is generally yours. Learn more about your right to choose a body shop in Florida and how our insurance claim help works.
Our Repair Process, Step by Step
We follow the same seven-step process on every job, whether it's a single scratched door or a car that came in on a flatbed:
- Free upfront estimate
- Disassembly and inspection for hidden damage
- Parts ordering, OEM whenever possible
- Structural and frame repairs to factory specs
- Body repair, dent removal and panel work
- Color-matched paint, detailing and reassembly
- Final inspection, road test and pickup
Minor repairs often take a few days. Significant damage can take several weeks, depending on how extensive it is and how quickly parts arrive. We keep you updated the whole way, and while you wait you're welcome in our lounge with free Wi-Fi, coffee and TV.
Get a Free Estimate in Bradenton
Whether you're in Palma Sola, downtown or out past the Tropicana plant, we're close by. Request a free estimate online or call the collision center at (941) 229-6451. Hablamos español: (941) 357-5162. Hours are Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–5:30 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Firkins Collision Center in Bradenton?
We're at 2700 1st St, Bradenton, FL 34208, on US-41 just south of downtown and north of Cortez Road. The collision center is on-site with Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Mitsubishi, so look for the dealership and follow signs to collision.
Do you only fix Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles?
No. We repair all makes and models, from Toyota and Honda to Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Kia. Being on a dealership campus simply means we have an on-site Mopar parts department for Stellantis vehicles.
Can I pick a Bradenton body shop even if my insurer recommends another one?
Yes. In Florida you generally have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired. Tell your adjuster you'd like Firkins Collision Center to handle the repair and we'll work with them on the estimate and paperwork.
What if my car isn't drivable after a wreck in Bradenton?
Call our 24-hour towing line at (941) 749-1450. We can arrange a tow from anywhere in the Bradenton area straight to our facility, where the vehicle can be stored securely until it's inspected.
Is there someone who speaks Spanish?
Yes. We have Spanish-speaking staff, and you can reach our Spanish line directly at (941) 357-5162 for estimates, claim questions or repair updates.
Wrecked, dented or scratched? Let's look at it.
Free estimates, help with your insurance claim, and a loaner while we work.