Involved in accident today about 2 blocks from work. Lady in a Ford Focus didn't stop, which pushed me into the car in front.

I almost think she hit me twice. First was the dent in the tailgate which then I got pushed forward, and then she wasn't fully stopped, so she hit me again.
The second would be where she nose dived under my rear. Don't see how one hit would cause the impact damage to the tailgate and yet still have her car end up underneath my rear end.

Damage to her car was amazing, engine compartment was just trashed, her airbags deployed.



Impact point in tailgate, doesn't show up in the pictures, but there are paint marks to the sides of the dent.


Several pieces of trim and headlight ended up on top of the spare


Tailgate has some damage, while front/rear Trail Valance piece; both bumpers are trashed.

wow...glad youre ok...

Sorry. That sucks. Makes me want to leave the ball on my hitch for protection but I don't know if my shins could take it.

Doesn't look like you were hit twice, looks like the initial impacts shoved her hood and engine compartment back. Glad you're ok.

Looks like the initial impact broke the hood free which popped and then taco'd into your bumper as it got shoved downwards.

perfect opportunity to get the insurance company to buy you steel bumpers

I leave mine in for just this reason. You get used to watching out for you shins.

My biggest fear with my (still newish?) 4Runner: some distracted joker plowing into me from behind. I leave my Smittybuilt BeaverStep mounted just for this reason. Not sure how much it will help, but I doubt it can hurt.

Glad you're OK, the truck can be fixed...

When I had a Pathfinder I got rear-ended by a Monte Carlo or some-such. That receiver was even more prominent than the 4R's and really damaged the front of his car, while my bumper was just scratched.

I think that last second panic braking causes the perp to nose-dive, sure looks like your case too. Obvious his hood contacted your tailgate.

Yep time for full bumpers

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...and back in goes my trailer hitch!!!


ill be towing alot during the warm months anyway, to and from the race track.

yeah, my shins take a beating too, but i know that thing will fold any autos front end inwards before reaching the bumper.


Glad you are ok, Im hoping she had adequate insurance to cover all that is needed.

I'd rather have the bumper and foam take as much if the impact as possible vs a concentrated impact in the middle of a cross member

Notice that big chrome bumper guard on the back of my truck. Had someone back into my truck without a scratch. Can't say the same about the other car that needed the bumper cover replaced.

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Ha! You would think so...then she jumps out at you when you're least expecting it.

I agree. Have your rear cross-member inspected. The risk you run in a rear-end case is if the impact bent/pushed in the rear cross-member. A possible sign is if the tow receiver is now closer or pushed into your spare tire underneath. Having a tow hitch on can save or make it worse depending the accident. The correct way to fix a bent cross-member is a whole frame replacement.