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Rear-ended: bummed and worried about long-term

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Priushunter, Jun 17, 2018.

  1. Priushunter

    Priushunter Junior Member

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    I’ve never posted here before, but I’ve been a visitor to Prius Chat for years because it’s been a longtime dream of mine to own one. I have really benefitted from all of your wisdom and tips and I want to say thank you, and also ask if you’ll indulge me here because I’m feeling really bummed right now and I think some of you will understand where I’m coming from. This February, after months of waiting and watching inventory for the perfect model, my husband and I finally bought a beautiful Certified Pre-Owned 2015 Prius Four. It is literally everything I hoped and wished for — color, features, price, etc. Everything was great and every day since I’ve loved driving it. I feel good about doing something better for the environment and our budget, and I am so proud of the fact that I was finally able to afford my own car — one that I chose. I’ve been very fortunate to have a couple “hand-me-down” cars from family members (not a “daddy bought me a new car” situation, for the record) over the years. Nonetheless, I am grateful. But in a way, the Prius represented achievements in my life and career that I worked really hard for.

    Well, on Friday, I got rear-ended (at a low-ish speed of maybe 25-35 mph) by a young woman who was not paying attention to the traffic that was stopping in front of me, and her. I hit my head pretty hard on the headrest and was stunned but managed to stop my car before it rolled forward into the person in front of me. We pulled over, exchanged info and my insurance company is being very helpful, setting me up with a rental and waiving the deductible (unless something goes wrong on her insurance end) as well as allowing me to get the repairs done at my local Toyota dealer. I’m very grateful to be OK, and that it was not worse — for me or the car. The damage looks to be isolated to the bumper, and it sounds like it’s running fine, but I’m still worried about hidden issues or things that might happen down the road. We are trying to start a family so safety was a big factor and I’m not sure if an accident like this would affect the integrity of the car. And I’m also worried because we’re only 5 months into our 5 year loan repayment and I’m sure this has affected the value of the car to the point where any issues that could lead to it being a money pit would be very difficult for us financially. I did not get an extended warranty and the original just ran out in March. I wonder if anyone has advice on things I should be on the lookout for or that I could ask the service department to check on to help ease my mind? Even if not, I thank you just for reading and listening!
     
    #1 Priushunter, Jun 17, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 18, 2018
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  2. Flyin2Low

    Flyin2Low New Member

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    From what I've seen from previous posts about being rear-ended, the back bumper seems to hold up pretty well. Your car should be fine after getting any body repairs done. Yes, you may have a crash listed on the history or carfax which will affect the value but there is nothing you can do about that whether you trade it now or later. Sorry this happened to you, but you should be fine for many years with this car.
     
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  3. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

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    My 2007 was rear ended twice the first year I owned it. The second one was more severe. Then in 2010 when the car had about 75,000 miles on it I rear ended someone and caused around $12,000 in damage to my car. The insurance fixed it. The vehicle had 283,000 miles on it when I got rid of it in 2016.
     
  4. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    Congratulations on your finally having a Prius. I’m sorry to hear about your rearender. The main thing is to have Toyota inspect all the electrical and verify that everything is good. I also was rear ended and luckily the body repair shop is part of the Toyota Dealership, so I’m confident that the body and electrical is good. One runs into problems when the body shop is unfamiliar with the Prius. Wishing you luck!
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you post a pic, and let us know what they find behind the bumper?

    talk to your insurance company about 'diminished value'.

    all the best!(y)
     
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  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I, too, suspect that the rear bumper and its replaceable crush boxes have done what they were there to do, and if competently repaired, your car will be just fine.

    -Chap
     
  7. Priushunter

    Priushunter Junior Member

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    Thank you all for the replies. Helped put my mind at ease for sure. I am also happy to report I got my Prius back today from the dealer collision shop and it looks great. They were very understanding when I expressed some of my concerns and said they would look over everything, electrical and otherwise, and that all the work they’ve done has a lifetime warranty. They replaced the bumper and bumper cover, the rear spoiler and the antenna (not sure exactly why on that one) and some other parts in the rear. Damage was about $2,600. Thanks again to you all and safe travels!
     
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  8. bobzchemist

    bobzchemist Active Member

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    The point of having insurance is that the insurance company(s) must put you back to the same point you were before the accident (minus your deductible). Having the car look perfectly repaired is no longer enough in these days of Internet and Carfax, etc.

    A car with an accident listed on the Carfax report is clearly worth less money than the same car with no accidents. Someone, either your insurance company, or the other driver's insurance company (or the other driver), owes you that difference in value as of the day of the accident. For a 2015, that may turn out to be several thousand dollars. Even if you never sell the car, you are still entitled to that money.
     
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  9. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    I’ll second that.