2009 Corolla S Rear Ended

[col*klink]

Last night while waiting at a stoplight, I was rear ended by a young lady in her '97 mercury Sable... She popped me pretty good, but I was surprised at how resilient the Corolla was. Needless to say, there was damage to my car.

Aside from the scratches where the bumpers met, I can see that most of the plastic brackets were broke, and the plastic has separated from the left-rear quarter a little bit. It also looks like it was pushed into the tire, and some of the plastic is broken apart in the wheel well.

Since this is the first time I've been on the receiving side of a rear-end (besides my last employer ), I was wondering if there is anything else I should be looking for.

All in all, it doesn't look that bad, and I am considering taking the insurance check, and pulling out some tools to 'fix' it myself. Since this is my daily rider, I want to make sure that it is still safe (I did drive it on the freeway today, and everything "felt" OK). I also want to make sure that I'm not getting low-balled by my/her insurance, and they cover everything.

Let me know what you think... especially if you know what this type of 'fix' would cost.

I appreciate it!

[MiniPacou]

1st Are you okay, no neck injury?

Since you got hit in the rear, she would be 100% at fault. I would get an estimate from a certified dealer with OEM parts + labor and send it to her insurance company for repairs. It might not look like there's much damage, but it can go far. The inner quarter panel could be bend, the bumper(metal) could be damaged/not salvageable, and when you try to put it back together and nothing aligns, that's when you scratch your head and say "!"/$%".

I would get a quote and claim from her insurance. Since it's your DD, her insurance should pay for a loaner+repairs, its faster getting it done by a shop. I hope you have a police report.

[FlawedLegacy]

I fix up totaled cars on the side with father-in-law and I ALWAYS have Insurance Co pay for everything when at 0 fault like you. I have heard to take medical, repair, etc and tack on some compensation money, then multiply it by 3 and thats what you should get. Save every receipt, go to the doc, etc. You're at NO fault, make the insurance company make everything PERFECT then pocket some money for the troubles.

Hope you are OK. I got my 09 Corolla when a big truck hauling 2 vans used me as his brakes on the highway. My 00 Corolla basically saved my life, they are SUPER SAFE imo.

[joeylgarcia]

not long ago i was a front passenger in my good friend's honda civic. we were rear ended the same way you did. me being a passenger received CAD$6,500. my friend's honda civic was repaired like nothing happened. i just did not know how much my friend received in cash.

[col*klink]

First of all, I am OK. Thanks to all for the concern. My neck was a little sore after it happened, and I reported to the officer in case I need to have it looked at.

I like the idea of taking it to a certified dealer, and getting a loaner. I'm not trying to dupe the Insurance Co for a frivoulous amount, but I do want to get what I have coming (especially after carrying ins for 15+ yrs and not one accident $$) (knock on wood).

I appreciate the feedback!

[SuperchargedMR2]

Get it fixed properly & than see a chiropractor. Getting your neck lined back up after an accident will save you from a lot of pain years later. I can tell you that first hand. Your neck/back ir out of wack, even if you feel okay now.

And to TN. Sure is a heck of a way to start posting.