Got rear-ended yesterday

[Mike415]

A mercedes e class hit me dead on in the back yesterday in some stop and go taffic going prob <10mph.

He hit my tow hitch and fudged his car kinda bad. He just got the bumper done 1 month before that and then hit me. He didnt do anything to my car, but he's got a nice square on his front bumper.

Like he said, "one reason to get a 4runner..."

Thats like the 3rd time this hitch has saved the car since we got it.

 

[broncosi]

awesome to hear your hitch saved you a headache, that makes me think twice about putting my towball in when im out cruising around.

 

[Elton]

nice

 

[mikehinthehouse]

this is the main reason I have a hitch... I leave the ball and everything in at all times.. I very rarely tow, just alot of big city driving and these bastards cannot drive around here... the runner has not been hit yet... knock on wood... but every other car ive owned has been rear ended. Not only that the day after my hitch was installed my gf was parked in my spot at the apartment and some junkies backed into her car which was just freshly painted 2 weeks b4.. .she was pissed... hitch would have saved my truck!

 

[97Limited4Me]

Just something to think about.

The hitch mounts to the frame on our 4Runners and pretty much every other vehicle with a hitch. The hitch is absorbing alot of energy, energy that the hitch may very well absorb but there is a chance that some of it is being transferred to the frame. Frame damage is more common than you would think. Its possible that even if you had it you would never know. But after being in three accidents, its quite possible/probable that your frame may very well have damage that you cannot see.

Since its the other drivers fault, his insurance will pay for you to get an inspection/initial estimate and prob give you a rental car. Consider it. Frame damage is easily repairable. Have a shop throw it on a frame rack and see what the specs are. I would bet you that you may very well have some damage.

I work as a damage estimator for a large insurance company and see these types of hits all day. Vehicle looks perfect. Throw it on the rack and come to find out the rear rails are sagged downwards. Prob the case 75% of the time.

P.S. Its late, my spelling may be crap. Dont hold it against me!