1998 Ford Contour Control Arm Damage? Maybe ball joints?

I just purchased my car about a week ago, a few days after I got it someone merged right in front of me cut me off and to stop from colliding with him, I swerved and my right front tire rammed into the sidewalk curb. I notice once I started driving again that I had to hold the steering wheel to the left to keep the car straight, if I let the wheel go the car veers toward the right. I've taken it to Firestone and Sears to have it looked at and the prices they gave to fix it were very high. Firestone wants $1632.31 and Sears $1356.19. Firestone added alot of things that have to do with maintenence more than the control problems. I took it to a smaller mechanic shop and I didnt get a estimate since I have a appointment to have it inspected but the guy told me it seems like something is bent. My question is, is this a bad problem to be driving with and is this gonna cost alot to have the struts, balljoints/ control arm fixed and or replaced. I need this fixed asap but I dont have the funds that sears or firestone are asking for.