How to Start the Day out Badly

[ragswl4]

On the way to pick up the framer to go to work at the new home and stopped at a red light. Got rear ended by another pickup. Knocked my hat and glasses off and sprayed the inside of the truck with coffee. The pictures show the rest. The other driver said he saw me but couldn't stop in time. No skid marks and as the speed limit is 45MPH on the street I guess he was going at a pretty good clip. Thank goodness I wasn't in my Mazda Miata. No one seriously hurt so at least that's a good thing.

My truck is the silver one. The distance between the two trucks is how far the other guy knocked me when he hit me. I had the brakes on too. Looks like I'm gonna get a new truck bed, bumper and part of the exhaust system.

So I'm off to the doctor to get checked out and then to the auto body shop. Hope your day started better than mine.

[Larrysch]

Ouch - glad you were not hurt and that is a great idea to go to the Dr. to get checked out.
You never know - I also hope the guy was insured - sucks if he was not.

Think I will go now - but I will be walking.

[cabinetman]

Trucks can be fixed, heads are more difficult. Good thing that lumber in the bed didn't come through the back window into your head.
.

[dbhost]

First things first, I am hoping and praying that YOU are okay.

Second, make SURE that there is no frame damage to your pickup. AND... Make sure the other guys insurance pays to get the interior detailed. I was involved in a similar wreck in 2000 and when I got the truck back from the body shop, there was still coffee stains all over the upholstery.

[germdoc]

Yep, good thing you tied down that wood or you'd have more problems to worry about than a little truck body damage...

I don't see any snow around that the other guy can use as an excuse...

Pretty much open/shut--hit someone in the rear, it's your fault. DAMHIKT. This MAY not apply in California however...

[Uncle Cracker]

I'd be lookin' for two things... A cervical collar and a good lawyer...

[scmhogg]

I hope you are OK. Often the injuries don't manifest themselves until the next day. Or, as UC suggested, when you see a lawyer.

Have your mechanic check your transmission, if you were in gear when hit.

Steve

[crokett]

Glad you were not seriously hurt. Looks like he hit you pretty hard. The suggestions to get the frame checked is a good one.

[JSUPreston]

Hope you recover. I imagine you'll be sore for a few days.

I second the suggestions about the frame and transmission. When I was rear ended several years ago, the force shoved the driveshaft into the transmission. It wasn't caught by the adjuster, I caught the leak on my new carport pad. Even though it was never noted on the adjuster's paperwork, I think the potential trans damage was enough to total the truck.

He must've been flying to shove you that far with you having your brakes on. Make sure that you have all his information and that he does have insurance. The guy that hit me didn't have insurance and skipped town, sticking me with my deductible. If they do decide to total the truck, make sure they have every option and detail correct before signing off. I lost a couple of hundred in value on my little truck because I didn't catch the fact they said I had a 4 cyl, when I had a V-6.

[ironhat]

Whew, that could have been nasty for you. Were all glad that you're feeling OK but expect the soreness. If it lasts longer than a week you might want to get an x-ray. Sometimes hairline fractures take a little time to appear - even on x-ray. Best wishes.

[dbhost]

I don't mean to sound like a downer on this, but double, triple, and quadruple check yourself with a doctor. I have suffered back and shoulder problems ever since the wreck in 2000. Not sure if they could have done anything about it then, but probably they could...

[Hellrazor]

You better have that checked for frame damage. The bumper is directly attached to the frame and that looks like it is a major FUBAR.

[cgallery]

I don't mean to sound like a downer on this, but double, triple, and quadruple check yourself with a doctor. I have suffered back and shoulder problems ever since the wreck in 2000. Not sure if they could have done anything about it then, but probably they could...

+1

It can take hours to days for these types of injuries to appear.

I know it sounds like B.S., but, BTDT.

[JeffG78]

I agree with dbhost. I had an almost identical incident with a truck of mine about 8 years ago. Same situation, same damage. My pictures look just like yours. I went to the hospital later that day for precaution and they said I was OK with minor neck strain, but to this day, my neck isn't quite right. While at a specialist a few years ago for back pain, he said he could tell I had been in an auto accident by the looks of my neck curvature.

My truck was "repaired" for around $4k, but was never as good. Luckily it was a lease and I was able to turn it in a few years later at the end of the lease and walk away from it.

Good luck with your truck and with your health. Make sure you get yourself checked out!

[TB Roye]

What a bummer. Glad you are alright. That is exactly why LOML drives a Ford Expedition with the heavy duty tow package/class3 frame mounted hitch/receiver. MY Toyta Tacoma has the same type of hitch/receiver. Got hit in the rear a few years ago by a idiot in a Lincoln Towncar. The guy didn't hit dead center with his car, caught the left front corner. He took off and I just followed him and watched the trans fluid and coolant drain while on my cell phone to the Police. The police showed up about the time his car blew up. He had no insurance and suspended lic. So my satisfaction was seeing him in handcuffs and going off the jail. He got a nice prison sentence as the damage and him being DUI and hit and run made for a good case. No mechanical damage to the truck, new bumper, tailgate and outer bed panel. tail light. If I hadn't had the frame hitch the damage would have been much worse and had he hit like in your case I might have been injured. A little hint. While working for the the CHP and taking defensive driving classes learned when in a line of traffic at a stop light to pull up to the car in front no closer than where you can see the rear end housing(rear wheel drive) or where the rear tires touch the ground. This will give you room to pull out of the way if you see someone isn't going to stop and if they hit you, you might not be pushed in the car in front of you. Try it you will see how much room that leaves you to get out of trouble. In 3 or 4 lanes of traffic and your in the center lane not much hope but never can tell.

Tom