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Got rear ended today (very minor)...a quick question

Discussion in 'Porsche' started by lateralus, Jun 1, 2006.

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  1. lateralus

    lateralus Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    182
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #1 lateralus, Jun 1, 2006
    I was driving in front of a high school today that had just let out for lunch, so there were several kids out walking in front of the school and I was going no more than 20 mph. A girl began to cross the street and I didn't see her, so I slowed the car quickly without slamming the brakes so she could cross. I guess the car behind me wasn't paying attention and rear ended my car about 5 seconds later.

    Luckily, he did slam the brakes so the impact wasn't as bad as it could have been, but I still did feel a bump. We pulled over to the side of the road to inspect the damage and his front bumper had a sizeable dent in it. My car has two black bumpers that stick out next to the license plates which absorbed all of the damage, and except for a few scuff marks on the bumpers there wasn't any other visible damage on the car.

    My question is, should I get it checked out? Will there be any damage to the car that I can't see? Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
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    #2 Simon^2, Jun 1, 2006
    What car were you driving? and what car hit you?
     
  3. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
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    #3 BMW.SauberF1Team, Jun 1, 2006
    I see your profile says you have a Porsche. Entry level I'm assuming Boxster? The two black pieces I think are just for US versions because we don't have wide license plates like some places in Europe. I'm not sure what's in them, maybe lights to illuminate the plate? I would get it checked out regardless. Probably some foam pieces are broken in the bumper. You can probably fix it yourself.

    Edit: By your username, are you a Tool fan? Nice choice.
     
  4. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #4 bpu699, Jun 1, 2006
    Get a police report...

    I had a mustang, and was rearended in a similar fashion. Car/bumper looked fine. Shop looked at it, 2000$ in damage.

    Newer cars have flexible bumpers that bounce back, and have foam backing. The foam is a one-time-use item, and needs to be replaced. In my car, a small subframe item was also "bent" and a sensor needed to be replaced.

    If you are talking older 911, there is no foam, just 2 absorbers and a steel bumper. If he had a dent, then you may have some damage also...

    Have it looked at...
     
  5. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 ryalex, Jun 1, 2006
    Beware assumptions, it says "P-Car" - he could mean a Pontiac! And entry level means it is a Sunfire. And a few bumper scratches on a Sunfire probably mean it's a write off!
     
  6. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    #6 BMW.SauberF1Team, Jun 1, 2006
  7. lateralus

    lateralus Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    182
    Northern California
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    Jon
    #7 lateralus, Jun 2, 2006
    Thanks for the responses guys. Yes, entry level p-car = 2000 boxster, and his car was a newer model Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, I was in a huge rush to get somewhere and since there was no visible damage, I only took the other driver's information and left without a police report.

    I tried to figure out what the black bumper pads were made of and couldn't tell from inspecting it, it just seems like a hard foam or metal block underneath covered with a rubber molded pad. I think I will go get it checked out tomorrow at a collision shop, and hope for the best.
     
  8. lateralus

    lateralus Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    182
    Northern California
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    Jon
    #8 lateralus, Jun 2, 2006
    Bo, I noticed in your profile that you had a boxster s, so I'm sure you know what black bumpers I am talking about that A1 described earlier. When you say that the newer cars have flexible bumpers, are you referring to the boxster or the mustang?
     
  9. johntvette

    johntvette Formula Junior

    Mar 27, 2006
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    John
    #9 johntvette, Jun 2, 2006
    You should have fallen out of the car, grabbing your neck. :D
     
  10. lateralus

    lateralus Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
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    Jon
    #10 lateralus, Jun 2, 2006
    :D no big deal, accidents happen, what can you do?
     
  11. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    #11 David_S, Jun 2, 2006
    As my drivers' ed teacher said years back - "Accidents are rare, collisions are common". What you experienced was a collision that would not have happened if the driver behind you had been following at a proper distance and paying attention.

    Not that I'm saying you should hammer the guy, but people should be much more responsible for their actions than they are.
     
  12. lateralus

    lateralus Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    182
    Northern California
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    Jon
    #12 lateralus, Jun 2, 2006
    I brought it by a couple of shops today, and both inspected it and said that there wasn't any damage. Apparently the black bumpers are attached directly to the frame and can take small bumps of up to around 10 mph. Both said that the collision won't cause any problems in the future so I will trust their assessments and let it be.

    So true, especially since we were driving in front of a school and going no more than 15-20 mph. I'm always on the edge of my seat when I am sitting in someone else's car and they are following way too close, especially on the highway. He had a dent on his front bumper so hopefully he will learn not to follow so closely in the future.
     
  13. dream34

    dream34 Karting

    May 31, 2005
    247
    New Orleans, La.
    #13 dream34, Jun 3, 2006
    As an aside to that, make sure that if you want a police report you call at the time of the accident. Laws vary from state to state, but in many states the minute you exchange information and leave without calling the police it becomes a civil matter and the police WILL NOT take a report. Also in the states where they do you could wind up being cited for "failure to report an accident". Bottom line, if you even think you need a police report call immideately, don't gamble with exchanging information, only to have the other driver flake out or your insurance agent tell you (after the fact) that a police report is needed. I've seen it many times and in all of those cases the vehicle owners were upset and disappointed that a report could not be taken days or even weeks after the fact.
     

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