Advice for the rear-ended?

Assuming you live in an "at fault" state, insist on loss of value and/or diminished value, not just the cost to repair the damage.

This is ESPECIALLY true if there is ANY frame damage. Be prepared to deal with the insurance company's claim that "there's no such thing as dimished value" or "our service indicates it's only a small value" (they'll probably come back with 20-25% of the repair estimate).

 

Forgot to mention ... sorry to hear about your misfortune.

 

It must have been some sort of coordinated attack on Priuses this week. At about noon on Sat, the 18th I was driving on the highway at about 60 mph when suddenly I heard a loud bang and felt the car move. The jolt was from a Ford F-150 pickup whose driver fell asleep and he drifted into my left rear bumper corner. The bumper was barely hanging on as we pulled over to the side of the road.

As you can see from the photos mine is not too terribly bad. It always stinks to have to mess with repairs - especially on a car that's less than a year old. The hatch opens and closes, though there is a large gap on the bottom left side. He was insured and I've already contacted his insurance company and have an appointment with their adjuster for Monday afternoon. Maybe we should compare notes as the process unfolds.

The other motorist has GEICO insurance. Their adjuster is located at the Service King Collision Repair shops? Anyone have any experience with Service King. I'm considering demanding that the Toyota dealership do the repairs just to be safe.

 

you want a guess? $2700

 

Unfortunately, I think Prii will soon become known as a bad deal for those who rear-end 'em.

Perhaps a total loss at fairly low speed differentials?

Man I hope insurance companies don't force Prii owners to affix those bicycle flags on our rear bumpers! ;(

Seriously, sorry for the accidents, guys. (and another unfortunate possibility is to expect only increases in rear-ending incidents as baby-boomers reach into their 70s-80s-90s (yikes).

 

Sorry to hear and see the bad luck you 2 had this week, . Hope all comes out ok for you both.

 

Sorry to see such a mess on the back end of the prius...i just had a person, which was clueless hit mine just under the gas cap on the left back quarter panel...we were parked and they drove their conversion van over a side walk and hit me...now with a basketball size dent and scratches ...it was near $1000 in damage, so im guessing your damage will come closer to $4-5000 for the back end...hopefully things get back to normal for you soon...

 

Condolences on being hit. At least nobody was hurt. From personal experience I can tell you that that's the only thing that counts.

Warning. If the insurance adjuster tries to steer you to a particular shop, be very leery of it. They may well have a contract with the insurance co where they do work at a lowball price in exchange for referrals. If that's the case you don't want them working on your baby. Ask friends, look at their repair, go to the shop and ask to see just finished work. I don't know about where you live, but in Oregon we have the right to use any shop we desire.

I know a bit about accidents, my '02 has been rear ended twice. :cussing:

 

[font=Comic Sans MS:d3a3638a93]I'm sorry you both had similar accidents. Remember that you have a right to have any auto body parts replaced with new, genuine Toyota parts. While the Prius is relatively new and a unique design, an unscrupulous body shop might get a part from an auto recycler. [/font:d3a3638a93]

 

Can't tell if there is major damage to the liftgate.
If no, I would guess around $5000 in repair.
If yes, I would go as high as $8000 or more.

It is good that no one was hurt in the process.

 

Just got the estimate - that's one expensive rear end. The photos above came out to $4443.32 on the repair estimate. I had a second shop do one and they didn't seem as thorough and came up with around $3,500. I'm glad the guy who hit me had insurance. Now the repair, rental car, waiting hassle begins. I've attached the estimates so you can see how much parts cost.

 

OUCH!! Good thing that guy has insurance! Good luck getting everything straightened out reasonably quickly...

 

[font=Comic Sans MS:d784d5fd02]So $4444 gets you a reconditioned bumper cover, not a new one?[/font:d784d5fd02]

 

I would also ask that a claus be written to cover any unspected damage. i.e computer problems. I also know that when you go to trade it off you will take a bid hit because of prior damage. Do your self a favor and ask, NO DEMAND, that they buy you a new car. Jim

 

Oh come on. Who is going to demand a NEW CAR because they got rear ended and had repairable damage? That's pretty unreasonable.

 

A person who has had it happen. Once you approve the repairs you are stuck with the work they perform. Good or bad. And yes you can make them fix it again. I just would not want the hassles and I personally would not want my family in any car that has had that much damage done. Jim

 

Yes, I wish I could just get a new car, but that's not likely with less than $5K of damage. However, I do plan to:

1. Request reimbursement for the poorer gas mileage of the rental car while my Prius is in the shop. A 25mpg car will cost me an extra $10-12/week in gas.

2. Request compensation for my time away from work getting the estimate, bringing the car to the shop, and returning to pick it up.

3. I also plan to note that I have a complete accounting and database of my mileage over the past 11 months and reserve the right for compensation if the mileage decreases due to the accident.

4. Finally, I'm considering asking for compensation for "diminished value." Courts across the country have ruled both ways. Texas (where I live) Supreme Court ruled against it in 2003, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Maybe I'll bring in a flyer from one of those sleazy TV lawyers and conveniently lay it on the desk when I ask.

Of course I'll give the car a thorough check once repairs are complete and keep after them until I'm fully satisfied that it has been properly restored. I'm not out for blood, just a fair amount to cover my damage and time dealing with the hassle.