Crash. I Hate People Who Don't Pay Attention While Driving.

[Snakeking]

So I was rear-ended last night (Wednesday night). I was on my way to work, taking a right onto the ramp, stopped for traffic to go, and was rear-ended. Here are some pictures of the damage. The other guy got his driver-side fender pushed into his door, his hood crumpled a bit, and his headlight out. And also he had some bumper damage. Both cars were driveable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just hate how people cannot PAY ATTENTION while driving. Yes, I'm a teenager, yes, I've been guilty of using my cell phone while driving. But I make talking less of a priority. I don't talk much if I am talking to someone, I pay more attention to driving. He wasn't even using his cell phone I don't think. Just didn't figure it was important enough to pay attention to where he was going, so now I'll end up without my truck because of his stupidity.

 

Anywho...

 

Question. How easy is it to replace the bumper? If the insurance co. gives me a straight out check, I may want to do some of the work myself. I'll have the body panel done professionally, but is the bumper something I can get the bumper kit and put it on myself? It's the chrome bumper, and the kit comes with the license plate lights and everything on it.

 

Thanks for all your help guys!

[saltwater_addict]

Sorry to hear about that yah thats why i keep a tri ball hitch back there, it may not stop it completely, but im gonna teach them a lesson. The bumper is just a few bolts. Extremely easy, should take less than 15 mins, itll probably be harder to get the old mangled bumper off than putting the new one on. ive done it many times, when installing body life, spray on bed liner, gooseneck, pretty much everytime ive taken the bed off. its seriously easy.

[Nytemare]

Wow...You too....

 

It totally sucks balls man. I know your pain.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=66255

[Snakeking]

Thats great that it's easy. I just need a part number for the kit and convince the insurance agent to just cut me a check. If they don't, oh well, I'll have my dealer do it. The dealer wants $2312.09 to do it. If I can have them just do the rear panel and the painting, I'll install the bumper, and keep the extra money from the check. Maybe it'll give me enough to do a lift kit, who knows.

 

Oh yea, I was also rear ended 3 weeks ago Friday. That guy got a dented bumper and a busted headlight and the ball on the hitch got a little paint transfer That was a happy day!

[saltwater_addict]

When my passenger side got hit, they wanted to replace the side bed panel. Im not a bodyman, but it was like 700$ to pull it apart and weld another one in, no paint. I just opted to porter power the dent out as good as possible and call it a work truck. total damage was at 6000, mostly lower door and they would have to cut out and replace rocker panel. can of bondo and fiberglass and some spray on beliner, 250$, but like i said, WORK TRUCK. at least now anyhow.

[saltwater_addict]

Oh i forgot, if you go by a place that puts on alot of ranchhand etc bumpers, they usually have about 10-15 stock bumpers lying around, could probably get a steal.

[2000DV4.8]

You could also check out junkyards for a bumper. If you can find one in good condition, it'll be a LOT cheaper than buying new.

[DEV1ST8R]

Just today I saw that an elderly woman, driving a New Yorker towncar, drove over a concrete median with trees and shrubs, high-centered, and broadsided another parked car in the middle of a parking lot.

 

Guess that's what driver re-examination and insurance is for. . .

[cmoore74]

The hitch may also be damaged. Make sure you check that out. That is another item that can easily be replaced and you could save some money on. Also make sure that frame isn't damaged from the hitch being pushed in.

 

That sucks, but it happens. I hate when you drop off your nice big comfy truck for body work and they give you some POS little 4-banger to drive around in.

 

This happened to me with the last truck except it was a mack truck driver that wasn't paying attention. He was only going about 10 MPH and I was stopped at a red light, but that's a lot of mass. Glad there was no one in front of me and the intersection was big enough that I didn't reach the cross traffic. Because it was a mack truck and I was driving an S-10 he made contact with my tailgate. The damage was about $5k.

[seadoons]

That sucks. The EXACT same thing happened to me in May. Other guy at fault. Here is where my concern with you attempting the bumper: 1. The frame could be bent. There is no way to tell until that bumper is off. Also, the trailer hitch could be jacked. They replaced mine because I could see where it had shifted back from getting hit.

 

Did you buy the truck new? If not, it very well could have been hit like that in the past and because of it the frame might not have been as strong.

 

Their insurance came out and appraised my damage for around $1,600. They mailed me a check two days later. It was tempting to go cash it. I took it to get repaired and the actual damage was $2,400. Progressive sent a check for the difference to the dealership.

 

I know it is tempting to cut some corners and do it yourself but it might be easier to have them fix it. Did you get hurt? A lot of times they offer money for pain and suffering. Also, google 'diminished value appraisal' - you can get money for the value your truck has lost because it has been involved in a wreck.

 

My damage looked very similar but my tailgate was also smashed in right in the middle.

[redvett]

I think all 50 states need laws to make Smoking, drinking,eating, reading, cell phone use or any other distractions illegal. The Europeans don't drive distracted. In fact you wont find a cup holder in there cars. Driving is a full time job.

[cmoore74]

I think all 50 states need laws to make Smoking, drinking,eating, reading, cell phone use or any other distractions illegal. The Europeans don't drive distracted. In fact you wont find a cup holder in there cars. Driving is a full time job.

 

Driving while talking on the cell was made illeagal in CT almost a year ago, but guess what most people still do it. I even see cops all the time blabbing on the cell while driving.

[Nytemare]

Driving and doing anything else but driving should be illegal. Most people out there can barely do that part, let alone smoke, eat and talk on their cell while turning and changing radio stations. Than when they do something stupid like come over in your lane they flip you off like its your fault.

[Guest 007FL]

If there is a lein on your truck you may find it hard to do any of the work yourself. Insurance companies are trying to keep folks from pocketing repair money and moving on. It costs them more since the next time you get rear-ended you claim the same damage all over again (not YOU, but you know what I mean). Many times now they write the check to the repair facility.

[wvurhino]

Same thing happened to me. I stopped, the Honda CRV behind me didn't, nor did the Toyota 4 Runner behind him. I was the only one to drive away. CRV had to of been totaled. My bumper and hitch took all the force, but it tweaked my frame a little.

 

The CRV's insurance came to me and gave a low ball estimate. I took it to a good place my dad and I go, and it ended up being a couple hundred more. Total was $1700 even. I would suggest you have a pro do it. You may save a few dollars, but chances are you won't get everything fixed right. The only place I would try to save a few dollars, is if you can supply the bumper and like Saltwater Addict said grab one from a aftermarket bumper retailer.

 

When you drop it off for repair, the insurance has to give you a rental of comparable size. I got a Caddy Deville because it was the same price as a truck.

 

The place I made my money is in the letter I wrote and my settlement. I did hurt my neck a little, but I laid out how that was additional wear and tear on my truck. They aren't made to be rear ended for fun. Other parts might wear out faster and all the wasted time I had to take off work. Got me a $2000.

 

I still laugh, because I had several hundred pounds of rocks and topsoil from Lowes and I was still able to stop faster than the Jap-Crap. Wish I got pictures of the cars. Didn't even get mine.