Advice for the rear-ended?

[DanMan32]

Hmm. In bumper accidents I have been involved in, they always replaced the cover, especially if it was cracked!

[enerjazz]

After 5 weeks in the shop I finally have my car back . . . though they still aren't finished. They still owe me the black extension at the bottom of the bumper (waiting for the part), one of the closer tabs on the hatch floor door (they didn't notice it was broken until late), and they forgot to do the rear bumper applique that the dealer stuck me with. I'm tempted to just ask for the $65 and skip that expensive sticker.

The repair work looks pretty good at first inspection. The hatch opens and closes smoothly and the paint job looks very good. I'll give it a better inspection in good light tomorrow.

My car's one year anniversary is Sunday, July 31st - so I got it back just in time for the celebration.

[Karkus]

My prius lost it's bumper because some drunk idiot hit it (and ran) at 4 am while it was parked in the carport. (Yes they got him because me and some neighbors saw him leave and gave a vehicle description to the cops, who found him). It looks a lot like the pictures above, but my dented hatch still closes fine and the frame damage isn't nearly as bad.
The car still seems to drive fine, so I can't see any reason why I shouldn't drive it around. But what about if it rains or in muddy conditions? I want to drive it while we get our other car fixed (YES, the idiot hit both of our cars at once!) and even take it to the mountains this weekend.

[hapiPriusgrl]

Originally posted by Bob Allen@Jun 29 2005, 12:16 AM
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Assuming you live in an "at fault" state, insist on loss of value and/or diminished value, not just the cost to repair the damage.  
This is ESPECIALLY true if there is ANY frame damage.  Be prepared to deal with the insurance company's claim that "there's no such thing as dimished value" or "our service indicates it's only a small value" (they'll probably come back with 20-25% of the repair estimate).

The Prius, like most cars today, does not have a frame. Cars are unibody construction. There is a great deal of old wives tales about "frame damage", which was a problem when cars had them. Unibody cars can be repaired to OEM specs by a good body shop. The body is designed in sections and can te taken apart in sections as needed for repair. I spent 45 minutes at my body shop looking at HUMU and seeing how they will repair the car.
The trick is getting a good body shop. Do a Google search for Auto Body Shop Ratings in your area, and I bet you'll find some good info.
Bob

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My 3 month old Prius was hit while stopped at a red light on New Years Eve by an enormous Caddilac going about 25-30 mph. As my husband proceeded to pull over and exchange insurance info (and if I would have been there - a few select words might have also been exchanged), the Caddy sped off. It was a hit & run; luckily no one was seriously hurt. Thank God our good friend who had been in the passenger seat during the accident had the calm sensability to memorize the licence plate as they took off. Long story short, they called 911 and filled out a police report, but now we wait to find out if this guy is insured. Fortunately I have great insurance and it will cover no matter what, but what a way to end 2005 with a bang - literally! SOB, I'm somewhat in shock that it happened which is the only reason I can joke about this!!! Now, I am in search of the best body shop in the greater Seattle area, so I'll do a google search as you recommend Bob Allen. However, since we both live in the Seattle area, I was wondering if you (or anyone else) has any recommendations. I want the BEST and I too plan to have some sort of clause written up to protect myself from problems that could show themselves later. I did a search for local Toyota Certified Collision Centers, but it does not seem like thare are any in WA. Thanks to all in advance!

Kristin

[Jack 06]

Sorry for your accident. You never get back what it costs you in aggravation and unknown future loss of value, no matter how good it looks when they're done.

Here's advice FROM the rear-ended, it being the case that I have one.

If a body shop, when giving you an estimate, does not volunteer that it will use only Toyota parts, you have to ask them and spec it on your written estimate. Some body shops that otherwise do good work still use secondary-market parts if they can, especially in areas of the car where the owner cannot see them.

25 MPH is a substantial hit when your car isn't moving. Did the damage get into the "big battery" compartment?

You did some digging just to find this thread---late at night, too.

[Arklier]

Shortly after I got my '99 Corolla back in 2000, someone in a Tercel turned left in front of me and I hit them in the rear wheel well. You could even see the round imprint in my car's bumper, the hood was dented, and the bumper and right headlight were pushed in. I pulled over (they didn't have any choice since their rear axle was broken) to exchange information, then called 911 and had a cop come out to survey the accident. The next day, I contacted the dealer where I bought the car (Magic Toyota in Edmonds/Lynnwood) to see if they did body work, and they pointed me to A-1 Auto Collision in Lynnwood. They had the parts in under a week, and a few days later the car was good as new. So that's who I would recommend.

I know this was from a lot earlier, but... I don't think it's reasonable to expect the insurance company to give you a new car when the damage is less than 1/4th the car's value. The only time they'll do that or reimburse the cost of the car is when it is totaled, in my experience.

[brayder]

Just got rear-ended on my baby's one-month anniversary (which also happens to be valentine's day)! Stopped at a light and the guy in his audi just didn't brake soon enough. Mostly just a few moderate scratches on the bumper, but one of his license plate bolts did poke a hole in the bumper cover. Just filed a claim this morning (we both have Geico which should be interesting). I'm hoping they can just repair, repaint, and recoat...

Grr.

[windstrings]

Originally posted by enerjazz@Jun 19 2005, 12:56 PM
It must have been some sort of coordinated attack on Priuses this week.  At about noon on Sat, the 18th I was driving on the highway at about 60 mph when suddenly I heard a loud bang and felt the car move.  The jolt was from a Ford F-150 pickup whose driver fell asleep and he drifted into my left rear bumper corner.  The bumper was barely hanging on as we pulled over to the side of the road. 
 
As you can see from the photos mine is not too terribly bad. It always stinks to have to mess with repairs - especially on a car that's less than a year old.  The hatch opens and closes, though there is a large gap on the bottom left side.  He was insured and I've already contacted his insurance company and have an appointment with their adjuster for Monday afternoon.  Maybe we should compare notes as the process unfolds. 
 
The other motorist has GEICO insurance.  Their adjuster is located at the Service King Collision Repair shops?  Anyone have any experience with Service King.  I'm considering demanding that the Toyota dealership do the repairs just to be safe.

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I would.. I wouldn't use any service center in bed with Geico.