So leaving school today to finally start summer break i get rear-ended if it weren't for my towing package my truck would have been in a lot more trouble. nobody was hurt and luckily i got away with only a big dent and some scratches, cant say the same for the other car due to the completely destroyed bumper and radiator fluid all over the ground. i left just as they were being pulled up on the tow truck. the lady in the other car, a ford escape, was not paying attention and didnt see the line of cars, including myself, suddenly come to a stop in front of her. but luckily the car in front of mine, who's my best friend, saw it coming and moved out of the way before i could hit him. so only a 2 car accident but no accident is a good one. great way to start summer, being without my baby for a week or so as they do body repairs

That sucks! Glad nobody was hurt!

Claim the tailpipe is damaged and get them to mod it (see sig). I would also insist the bumper and tailgate were painted off the vehicle. They'll do a better job and no 'give-away-overspray'. If they won't do it tell them they have to spend extra time masking because you will bring it back for overspray anywhere on the vehicle. That threat alone will let them know your watching. Have them retorque the hitch.

Finally, save some pics of the damage so when you go to sell it you can show a potential buyer that the new paint was from a minor, slow speed fender-bender and not a bigtime crash.


I have been caught by all the aforementioned items in the past, just offering them up to you in the hopes you get it back soon and in 'like new' condition.

I had almost the identical thing happen in the fall except it was an Acura and the hitch pushed it down and under the bumper. Only damage was to the bumper cover, hitch and exhaust (still cost $2800).

Make sure they put a new exhaust on from the cat back (good time to upgrade) If it was hit and flexed at all, the springs and flange will be broken, or bent.

you just got some good advice really need to look at the tailpipe and cat........to make sure the pipe didn't get jammed into the cat to do damage to it.....................

You could totally buff that out.

Glad no one got hurt, nevertheless it always sucks to be in an accident.

Really good advice from the previous posters!!

I gotta FIRMLY agree with the "remove before painting" request. I had a knucklehead run a stop sign and smack my Jetta (dont miss that crap-mobile) and there was rough risidual spray around the new quarter and hood! Lazyness, man. Pure lazyness.

Btw....was the person who hit you texting while driving?

Funny... The same exact thing happened to me at my school. Only mine was worse. :*( 5k worth of damage.

Good luck.

all the advice above is great. the overspray ones especially.

sucks about your ride though. glad everyones ok

One other thing is after you get it back from the body shop, I'd look very closely and be sure the gap between the bottom and sides of the tailgate and the rear bumper and rear quarter panels line up exactly right.

You also may want to spray water from a hose all over the back of your Runner and be sure there are no leaks around the tailgate.

Good luck man!