Rear Ended - 2019 TRD Sport

Not 3 months after getting my Tundra, I was rear ended this morning by an Audi SUV. Luckily it was relatively low speed. I was waiting to turn left and as soon as I got off the brake and hit the a guy drove up behind me not paying attention and braked too late in the snow. Thank goodness nobody was injured.

Also luckily it seems like they only made contact with my hitch receiver. Took it to a collision shop for a quote and as far as we can tell the bumper may be pushed up a little, and some finish damage to the hitch receiver (and my plastic hitch cover is destroyed). Quoted ~$1000 to repair some brackets and replace a plastic cover that is damaged. But no painted parts or sensors were hit.

Should I be worried about additional damage not visibly apparent (structural, suspension, frame/bed, etc)?

 

Good thing nobody was injured. The tow hitch is bolted to the frame and is one of the, if not the, strongest points on the truck. I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it, you’re good to go.

 

Yes. In my opinion you should ask to have the frame checked. Although popular thought is that hitches (and the all steel aftermarket bumpers) offer greater protection, often times when hit they transfer all the energy directly to the frame rails versus the crumple zone absorbing the impact. The end result can be surprising...and it doesn’t take much.

 

Cant remember who it was but their frame was bent after a rear end accident. It only looked like cosmetic damage, but it was much deeper.

At a minimum I would insist on OEM parts. Find out if a diminished value claim can be made in your state. Like it or not, that accident just hurt your resale value.

 

I recommend having your differential inspected. Years ago I was rear ended with minor damages as well; 100+ miles later my differential failed due to a cracked ring gear which was caused by the sudden wrenching with the pinion gear. Case was settled before failure and I was stuck with the repair.

 

Thanks for all your tips!

I have some news from the insurance today. The guy that hit me (didn't have a driver's license), and is claiming that a different person was driving (his father), and that I backed into them. Since Colorado was on accident alert, I don't have a first hand police report, but another driver passing by stopped and offered to be a witness. Good times...

 

Said it before, will say it again, People suck.

I am sorry you are having to deal with this. At this point it's going to get nasty, so you may want to talk with a lawyer for some legal advice. You don't necessarily have to wait for the at fault's insurance. You can have your insurance cover the repairs and diminished value claim, and they can pursue the at fault's insurance or the individual to cover what they paid. Remember that your insurance company is not your friend and they don't care how this goes one way or the other as long as they don't have to pay. Again, I'd recommend at least consulting with an attorney at this point.

 

Just to tag on to Adam's comments, I was rear-ended in my '89 pickup some years ago and the driver hit my 2" reese hitch-ball first. Long story, but the overall length of the tow hitch/frame is quite a good lever and bent the truck frame where everything is attached...

 

Hope that witness comes through for you otherwise it is he said she said and that gets nasty with dishonest people.

And get a dash cam, even if forward facing only. It would have proved you were not backing up at time of accident and it tends to keep dishonest motorists in check when they hear a dash cam was in play. I enjoy watching some of the Tesla cam videos on youtube, crazy what people do on there when they think no one is watching.

 

BigginsCH
put some pictures up and let me see the damages if your panicing.
Ill take a look and see for you, as I run a Benz & former Toyota body shop and know what Im looking for and at.

RdKing.

 

In fairness the visible damage is minor that's why I didn't post pics previously. But here are a few if curious. The main thing noticable is you can tell there is a difference in gap between bumper and rear quarter panel when you stick your hand in the gaps on both sides. Plus some minor hitch damage.

Update on the insurance claim, my witness' came through and corroborated my description of the accident so the other guys insurance is accepting liability.