Way off topic. Got rear ended going home!

[bell99man]

SO, this is just a safety heads up. I was driving home from a store run and the car in front stopped and signalled to turn left. He had to wait on oncoming traffic so I am coming to a stop behind him. I hear squalling tires and see the car behind me approaching too fast. I stand on the brakes a brace for impact and pow. She hit square on my hitch.

I learned three things from this event: always check my rear view when stopping, I verified the space cushion rule, and a class 3 or better hitch will save your bumper. Her radiator was punctured and most of her front metal was destroyed. The guy in front of me was spared any damages. And my truck has some scratches on the hitch and a small dent in the bumper and a plate light popped out. I'm guessing she was texting but I'm not sure.

Kevin

 

[Spimothy Leary]

funny you mention the hitch, i have a hitch on my 95 lexus sedan, and i've been hit twice at relatively low speeds in the exact same situation as you described, and both times, my car was untouched, but the hitch punched a whole in the bumpers both times, IMO the hitch saved me two bumpers so far.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Like you, my hitch is ALWAYS on my Lexus.

However, it many states it is illegal to drive around with the hitch installed unless you are actively towing....

I'll take the risk,,,

 

[bell99man]

I have never heard that. Why does the government feel the need to regulate that?

 

[Coastiejoe]

When Federal Tests are done relative the "Five MPH crash" and "minimum requirement to set off air bags," they are done with no hitch installed.

It was found that hitches cause additional damage to the vehicle hitting the hitch as well as set off the air bags more often than just hitting a bumper itself, which creates additional injuries in "slow" speed crashes.

Sooo, the insurance companies got involved as this cost them money. They petitioned the states to deem it illegal and in various cases, the states have agreed to do so.

 

[bell99man]

Just a thought, but maybe the other driver could just, I don't know, pay attention and not run up someone's arse, lol. 5mph impact is the same weather you hit my hitch or any other 4000lb object, just more of the impact is absorbed with a larger contact area. So, as far a damages goes, one car would have to be cheaper to fix than two. Sorry, just rambling to no avail. Thanks for the insight.

Kevin

 

[Coastiejoe]

We know better to think that drivers pay attention,,

5 mph is not the same for the mere fact that addition damage will occur to the jerk behind you. Unless you were BOTH covered by same insurer, someone will pay more.

Over all I would say you are correct, but when looked at individually, it affects them differently.

But,,, best answer is to simply NOT run into me. Like you said, what a concept huh?

 

[swneely]

Yea my LARGE weight adjusting hitch that I use to tow my large camper, destroyed the front of an F250, he had to pulled up on a rollback, I drove home. Always remember to have the receiver and hitch replaced after an accident...I learned the hard way after my camper broke loose when the cracked receiver weld broke. Lucky for me and everyone around me, it happened at slow speed. I would not have wanted that to happen at 60.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Good point about replacing the hitch and receiver.
Hard to see stress cracks under the car..,,

 

[chucked]

Twice Ive had someone rear end me and only contact my hitch, big damage for them, none for me. Had some blue paint on the hitch for awhile

 

[bell99man]

Yea my LARGE weight adjusting hitch that I use to tow my large camper, destroyed the front of an F250, he had to pulled up on a rollback, I drove home. Always remember to have the receiver and hitch replaced after an accident...I learned the hard way after my camper broke loose when the cracked receiver weld broke. Lucky for me and everyone around me, it happened at slow speed. I would not have wanted that to happen at 60.

I'll definitely point that out to the insurance adjuster.

 

[swneely]

I wound up submitting and adjustment to the original insurance claim and they paid it.