Rear-ended.

[Plaz]

Not badly, so it appears. On the Jersey Turnpike 78 extension in Newark, about mid-way between the tolls and the Bayonne bridge. Stop and go traffic... inattentive driver in a 4Runner slammed into me.

I've definitely got some whiplash... I have a headache that won't quit, though the mild dizziness and nausea I had earlier has gone away. Will go see a doctor if the headache doesn't start to dissipate tomorrow.

The damage to the car really looks minimal... mostly just some gouges in the plastic bumper cover. A little bit of scuffing on the trunk lid, but not down to primer... probably buffable. Looks like typical valet parking damage... something I've already resigned myself to anyway, driving into NYC on a daily basis. It felt a LOT worse than it looks, though... trying to determine if I should go through the whole hassle of bringing it to a shop to follow through on the claim I started rolling this morning. The car feels fine... no new noises, no pulling, dragging, or anything. I'd rather not screw the guy who bumped me, and contribute to the out of control insurance situation in this state, if it's not necessary.

I'd like to take off the bumper cover this weekend and inspect underneath for structural damage, to make a more informed decision. Anyone have any tips on what to look for, besides the obvious?

[The HACK]

If there are no damages to the bumper shocks, then you shouldn't have any structural damage. I'd take a look at the aluminum bumper support too to see if anything is bent there...Although it'd be easier to compare to a relatively unmolested bumper support (there are some odd bends in the support anyway).

I would see a doctor right away. Last time I was rear ended (like 10+ years ago) I had re-curring headaches and neck pains for a very long time.

[rumatt]

1) Sorry man, that sucks.

2) Seeing a doctor seems like a must, if nothing than to have it on the record in case something awful happens and you have trouble for a long time.

3) Why are worried about screwing the person who hit you? This person wasn't doing their job while driving and has caused you a lot of annoyances, and even physical harm. I'm not suggesting that you "go after them", but please do all of the preventative medical care and vehicle maintenance necessary... and bill every penny to this person.

4) I'd get the car looked at by a mechanic, and billed to the person. You could have a lot more damage than you think. Imagine finding out later that you have serious damage that was hidden (bent frame, etc).

[operknockity]

I'm with Dan on this one...

Get yourself to a doctor ASAP!!!!!

And I'd also have the car inspected by a good mechanic. While it may not seem like there is any damage, there could be some hidden damage just waiting to rear it's ugly head later.

In both cases, better safe than sorry!

[Pinecone]

I agree.

1) Get to a doctor NOW. The other guy's insurance comapny wil pay for it.

2) Take the car to a dealer or other shop to have it looked at. DO NOT do it yourself. If you find extra damage, tehy may try to blame it on you.

3) Do NOT accept their first offer.

And make sure when you talk to the other guy's insurance company you mention teh injury. You will get MUCH better treatment.

Going rate around here is damage to car, plus medical expenses, plus 5 time medical expenses for pain and suffering.

[ff]

Sorry to hear that, Plaz. I hope the headaches and dizziness don't linger. For sure, go see a doctor.

http://www.worlddownfall.de/images/bscap177.jpg

I'll agree with everything that's already been said. Tell your ins. agent that you'll be taking it to a shop to inspect for damage. There's a lot more to a bumper than just the cover, and shocks underneath. There's a honeycomb of plastic underneath that deforms/breaks to absorb impact. Once it absorbs impact, it needs to be replaced in order for the bumper to be fully effective again.

I'd think that your ins. agent would cover all expenses relating to repair of you and the car (well, duh...). And let them go after the other guy's insurance. I don't see how the other guy deserves a break, given that paying attention to the road ahead is such a simple task, and so [obviously] important at all times.

Take care of 'yerself, man.

[Roadstergal]

Oh, man, what a pisser. :(

I agree with everything said already. If there's nothing wrong - with you or the car - you lose nothing and gain peace of mind by taking both to be looked at by professionals. If something is wrong - well, you want to make sure that a) it's taken care of and b) it's linked to this event, so the other guy's insurance covers it.

:grouphug:

[Rob]

Hope your headache goes away soon, there aren't any other injuries and there isn't any real damamge. Sorry to hear it.

[clyde]

that sucks

i say bend the guy over as far as you can and insert legal remedies as far as you can

and get as many good drugs from doc feelin' fine while you can...and enjoy them

about the car? just spray paint "Team WTF?!" on it. It won't happen again...people will know to back off.

[FC]

Sorry man. Ditto on all the advice and well wishes from others. Take care.

[rumatt]

about the car? just spray paint "Team WTF?!" on it. It won't happen again...people will know to back off.

:lol:

Plaz, I guess I already said this, but you gotta go to a doctor AND a mechanic. You can pick which one inspects your car and which inspects your ass, but you GOTTA go.

[operknockity]

Ok. Who lives close to Plaz and can go over there and drag his sorry ass to the hospital so he can get properly checked out?

[rumatt]

Shit. I may be closest. :speechle:

[Plaz]

Thanks everyone for the concern and the input.

I already feel much better this morning.

I've been speaking with my insurance agency... they can deal with his, if/when necessary. Unfortunately, they won't pay for me to just get an inspection somewhere.

I'll see if I can get a walk-in somewhere this weekend to check my car. If everything's okay under there, I'll just ask the guy who hit me to pay me directly for that. If repairs are needed, I'll go through insurance.

[bren]

I'll see if I can get a walk-in somewhere this weekend to check my car.
It shouldn't be a problem to get any body shop to give you an estimate.

[operknockity]

I already feel much better this morning.
I'd still go and get checked out NOW. A lot of the kinds of injury that you sustain during an auto collision may not show symptoms for a few days but a doctor can tell if there has been any serious injury before you feel the after effects.

I'd also go see a dentist! I'm now convinved that some of the current dental problems were the result of my accident, but at the time I didn't see the dentist right away, so the costs are not being coverred by the auto insurance.

[kognito]

Ok. Who lives close to Plaz and can go over there and drag his sorry ass to the hospital so he can get properly checked out?

No, that would be me, and Plaz knows I'm large enough to make him go.

Plaz, no reputable body repair shop will charge you for an estimate/checkout, and make a doctors appointment no matter how much better you feel.

:grouphug:

[Roadstergal]

I've been speaking with my insurance agency... they can deal with his, if/when necessary. Unfortunately, they won't pay for me to just get an inspection somewhere.

Go. Get yourself checked out. Your insurance will cover it and then go after the other guy's. I 'felt fine' after I got hit by the car, but got a CAT scan anyway, and the other party's insurance paid for it. In an accident with clear at-fault, like a rearending, the at-fault's insurance will pay for a physical checkup. What they WON'T cover is anything that happens down the line that you didn't have reported at the time of the accident. So go lay a paper trail! Make sure you're really OK.

[Roadstergal]

I've been speaking with my insurance agency... they can deal with his, if/when necessary. Unfortunately, they won't pay for me to just get an inspection somewhere.

Go. Get yourself checked out. Your insurance will cover it and then go after the other guy's. I 'felt fine' after I got hit by the car, but got a CAT scan anyway, and the other party's insurance paid for it. In an accident with clear at-fault, like a rearending, the at-fault's insurance will pay for a physical checkup. What they WON'T cover is anything that happens down the line that you didn't have reported at the time of the accident. So go lay a paper trail! Make sure you're really OK.

[Mathew]

Sorry man. :(

Let us know how it goes.

[rumatt]

No, that would be me, and Plaz knows I'm large enough to make him go.

:lol: