Just got rear ended...

IStoSC · 10-23-09, 04:41 PM

So I was at a light waiting for it to turn green and right as it does I see a car approaching a bit too quick and it slammed into me. I'd say she was going < 10 mph and there was a good bit of noise (loud thud). Fortunately nobody was hurt, there is no external damage to either cars (to my surprise). I can see no scratches / warps / dents. Two cops were at the light on foot and literally walked to my car in 5 seconds post impact. The woman was extremely nice and I got all of her info and obviously filed a police report which cited the accident as her fault. I was going to take the car to the dealer and see if they could take a look to see if there was any "internal" damage as well. I just thought about it now but I have yet to check to see if the roof mechanism works smoothely (the top was up during the incident).

I was hoping I could get more advice as I don't want this small accident to cause big problems further down the road. Anything else I should look for?

DRIVE SAFE!

Harold57 · 10-23-09, 07:21 PM

First, you should get yourself checked out. Neck problems don't always show up the day of the accident, sometimes not even the same month.
Second would be the frame.

I'm glad to hear that from all appearances, you and the car came out smiling, more or less.

robsvdp · 10-23-09, 08:32 PM

There's styrofoam under the rear bumber cover (it absorbs some of the impact). Crawl under the car with a flashlight and look under the cover. If the styrofoam looks intact, chances are you're fine. The only next thing to do would be have a body shop remove the rear bumper cover and check the styrofoam and the actual bumper (the steel bar behind the foam, under the cover). Caveat: you risk scratching the car/misfitting the bumper cover back on. If the car runs fine, the roof moves smoothly (no rubbing), the styrofoam looks good, and the bumper cover still lines up straight with the body (no bowing/buckling, seams are even, etc), I'd be inclined to pay attention for a few weeks then let it go.

JohnnyCake · 10-23-09, 08:35 PM

Pat Goss' segment on Motorweek just last week discussed how the energy absorbing material inside the bumper cover is often damaged in low-speed accidents but the bumper cover bounces back and so things look fine.

Edit: Just found it on the web at this link Hidden Accident Damage

scdroptop · 10-23-09, 10:05 PM

I would have it checked out anyway...you don't know until you get the bumper cover off and get in there. Do your due diligence, it can't hurt...it wasn't your fault. Go see your primary doctor (if you have HMO that requires this) or Orthopaedic specialist and have them check out your back/neck Thank God you are ok. Could have been much worse.

tromly · 10-24-09, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scdroptop

I would have it checked out anyway...you don't know until you get the bumper cover off and get in there. Do your due diligence, it can't hurt...it wasn't your fault. Go see your primary doctor (if you have HMO that requires this) or Orthopaedic specialist and have them check out your back/neck Thank God you are ok. Could have been much worse.

+1, good to hear you were not injured, but I would get checked out. Have that bumper checked out too