General Question - low speed accident

**faith+1** · 08-29-2008, 10:19 AM

So I got rear-ended today pretty low speed, he locked up his brakes and I got as close as I could to the car in front of me with out hitting them.

He got my receiver hitch indented on his truck. My truck barely shows any signs of something happened except for the wiring connector for the hitch is bent. That doesnt seem like a big deal.

What I am concerned about is any potential problem with the frame. I have his insurance information drivers license all that jazz but I need to know which solution to use.

Solution 1 -
Call his insurance company and start the paperwork going?

Solution 2 -
Work with him to have him pay for someone to inspect my frame and ensure no damage happened.

So Im wondering what you would do. First accident Ive had and it was pretty timid.

Also - Who would I want to call for an estimate to "inspect" my frame. I guess Nissan right? If I go with solution 2 I want to call ahead and find out how much so he pays for it, if he doesnt agree then of course the only solution is 1.

Thanks for your help in advance!

baseballfanz · 08-29-2008, 10:23 AM

You can go ahead and find a reputable shop and get an estimate of damage if any. Most place will do the estimate for free but if they want you to pay to have it inspect than contact him first. Let him either chose to take care of it himself or through his insurance company.

**walleeme** · 08-29-2008, 10:58 AM

Good gracious!
You need to call Larry H. Parker NOW!
Don't wait.
He got that one guy 2.1 million.
JK

Do like BBF said. Get it looked at. Titans are tough and it's very likely just fine short of a bent bracket for the plug.

bestatchess · 08-29-2008, 11:09 AM

Some body shops have computerized laser frame alignment measuring systems, which may be better than what the dealer has.

stnjohnson · 08-29-2008, 12:06 PM

I'd but good money on nothing being wrong with your frame. Does it drive any different? If not I'd be more concerned with a wreck of anykind showing up on you or your trucks record. Could end up the carfax when you go to sell. Also, my wife was in a few accidents that were determined to be the other party's fault by the police. She called them all in to her insurance without making any claim and her insurance dropped her.

**faith+1** · 08-29-2008, 12:26 PM

Thanks for your input guys. I have a family friend, owns his own shop, currently looking at the truck. do you think I need to go as far as to have someone with laser frame alignment system if he notices a problem?

I think the bent bracket and the wire harness is the only thing I will end up needing to replace which I can get an estimate from Nissan on to make it look "stock."

Stn - I plan on keeping this truck for a while :-) But your point is valid, since there isnt anything really "wrong" visually and driving, by my account, I would rather just get the small damage I did see fixed and thats it. Id like to keep the insurance out of it because he is a guy, 25, and I have no real reason to make his rates go up... I just figured Id ask if I was off my rocker for trying to just keep it between him and me for such a small thing.

and if I didnt have my lift he would of busted up my bumper.. he is just lucky I didnt put my hitch on because my friend needs help towing something tomorrow morning :-) I could of "caught" me a dodge...But Id probably want to throw it back it lol.

TitanTom · 08-29-2008, 12:51 PM

It also matters what hit you. A loaded dump truck at 3 MPH will have a different impact than a Civic at the same speed.

Steamguy · 08-29-2008, 02:44 PM

Do have a regular body shop look at the truck. A kid rear-ended my truck and the shop had to put in a completely new hitch assembly along with all-new hardware. After getting slammed like it did, it couldn't be trusted. They also put it on the laser alignment rack to check it, just in case.

Now, if it wasn't a fully boxed frame, but instead made of C-channel like some other truck, it would have been a much different story...

**faith+1** · 08-29-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanTom

It also matters what hit you. A loaded dump truck at 3 MPH will have a different impact than a Civic at the same speed.

It was a dodge 1500 and no real load in his truck :-) Valid point though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steamguy

Do have a regular body shop look at the truck. A kid rear-ended my truck and the shop had to put in a completely new hitch assembly along with all-new hardware. After getting slammed like it did, it couldn't be trusted. They also put it on the laser alignment rack to check it, just in case.

The new hitch idea isnt a bad one. I do tow stuff and I do not want to have any bad results happen. Thanks for the suggestion.