Rear ended at stoplight. Looking for opinions. (1 Viewer)

[MIGX470]

A drunk slammed into me going 40-55 mph this afternoon. Back hatch does not seal. Frame back there is bent and gouged. Front is realitively ok.

I only have PLPD. Michigan is no fault so I will get not help with costs.

Vehicle has under 100k on it.

I don't know what to do. Should I sell as is? I am open to any and all opinions. This just happened. Drove an hour home. Have not tried to open the hatch. I threw a ratchet strap up to my rack from r safety.

No leaks. Looks like all the front got was the steel bumper bent.

Thanks,

 

[Lifted]

Take a few days to think about it. Maybe dedicated trail rig....my condolences

 

[NJGX]

I would look to see if a 4x4 Labs rear bumper is still an option given the damage from the accident. This is the only after market bumper that I know of that actually requires you to remove the rear cross member, as well as a few inches of right and left frame rail. If the side frame rails are still straight and parallel, you may be able to just chop the damaged portion and install the 4x4 Labs in it's place.

That back door will definitely need to be replaced as long as it is just the door itself or the hinges that are damaged, and not the mounts on the body. Maybe a body shop or two will be able to give you an estimate and you can make your repair/sell decision once you find out the extent of the damage?

 

[Brake Weight]

I don't understand why you getting rear ended by a drunk makes you responsible? I would be on the hunt for a drunk's money by any means necessary.

 

[MIGX470]

I don't understand why you getting rear ended by a drunk makes you responsible? I would be on the hunt for a drunk's money by any means necessary.

I can take him to claims court. I think the max is $2500.

I am estimating this is 5kish worth of damage. If the frame is not twisted.

 

[z00t3ch]

Getting slammed into from behind by a drunk is "no fault"? That's usually only applied when the cop shows up and gets two conflicting stories and isn't competent to perform a proper accident reconstruction. Generally, front end damage on one car and rear end damage on another is pretty cut and dry, unless he testified you pulled out in front of him...but a DUI usually breaks a tie...

 

[MIGX470]

Getting slammed into from behind by a drunk is "no fault"? That's usually only applied when the cop shows up and gets two conflicting stories and isn't competent to perform a proper accident reconstruction. Generally, front end damage on one car and rear end damage on another is pretty cut and dry, unless he testified you pulled out in front of him...but a DUI usually breaks a tie...

The whole state is a No Fault state. Your insurance takes care of you. All good drivers hate it.

 

[z00t3ch]

The whole state is a No Fault state. Your insurance takes care of you. All good drivers hate it.

Jeesh...a Fascist female governor and worthlessly unfair traffic laws, what's to stay in Michigan for, the cold weather???

 

[Dizzy]

Don't know you, personally, but, just glad to know that you are safe.

 

[Brake Weight]

The whole state is a No Fault state. Your insurance takes care of you. All good drivers hate it.

Jeesh...a Fascist female governor and worthlessly unfair traffic laws, what's to stay in Michigan for, the cold weather???

I just can't wrap my head around it. Where I'm at, and what I've always been taught/told, the rear ender pays for it all. They are the one at fault. And to top it off if they were drunk the lawyers swoon over those cases. With the mindset you don't have to pay for whomever you rear end I would prepare for a demolition derby every time I left the house. A jacked up f2fiddy and the road armor all over.

 

[MIGX470]

Don't know you, personally, but, just glad to know that you are safe.

Thank you. I was pushed into a equinox with two elderly people inside. The man looked in his late 80s. He was taken to the hospital and the drunk driver to jail. The misses and I drove home.

I have found comfort in knowing that the GX was able to absorb all the blow and protect us. It could have been a very different story if the truck hit the equinox.

 

[ATBScott]

I always understood "no fault" to be considered when both drivers were moving and ran into each other. It was meant to reduce court tie-ups and each individual's insurance policy covered their own repairs... Being rear-ended by someone committing a felony (DUI) is not a "no fault" condition. I'd go after the SOB (DOB?) for the damage to your vehicle and the neck pain you are experiencing. Glad you didn't get seriously injured. And your GX is just begging to be made into a serious off-roader now. I'll bet the door can be replaced - the hinges on these things are designed not only to support the door - I have seen the Prado version with a spare on the rear door, so our US luxury versions are lightly loaded... I'd hope that you can get a door from a junkyard that will almost bolt in place. Maybe the threshold will have to be replaced or straightened(?). Front ARB with a winch and perhaps that 4x4Labs rear? Good luck on this, but I'd try.

 

[trexoffroad]

I would get an estimate from body shops to see what exactly needs to be repaired. Then make the decision on what to do. If frame isn’t good, have a new door installed and painted to match, then do an aftermarket bumper that you like.
glad you guys are OK

 

[MIGX470]

Frame bent behind the axel... Does not look good so far. Thank you fellas for all the kind words.

I think I am going to scrape my change around and look for either another GX or an FJ. I really just want to to fire roads and camping/haul kayaks. Going full in with bumpers is overkill for me.

I could keep it as is for a winter beater. Sell as is or part it out. I don't know what to do. Pretty heart broken. Dropping it off to get an estimate just for good measure.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Ever since you posted this thread, it’s been bothering me that someone in Michigan can damage you car in an accident and they don’t pay for your car damages.

A quick search on google returned this link. I’m not affiliated, but it looks like you can sue for damages to car and not limited to $2500.

Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer | Hit By Drunk Driver Lawsuit

Call a Michigan drunk driving accident lawyer to sue an intoxicacted driver. We win the top settlements. No fee unless you win. No money to start your case.

buckfirelaw.com

 

[MIGX470]

Ever since you posted this thread, it’s been bothering me that someone in Michigan can damage you car in an accident and they don’t pay for your car damages.

A quick search on google returned this link. I’m not affiliated, but it looks like you can sue for damages to car and not limited to $2500.

Michigan Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer | Hit By Drunk Driver Lawsuit

Call a Michigan drunk driving accident lawyer to sue an intoxicacted driver. We win the top settlements. No fee unless you win. No money to start your case.

buckfirelaw.com

I will be doing this. Police report will be ready within a week. Looks like I have nothing to lose.

Thank you for your time and effort.

 

[Brake Weight]

I was thinking more like a couple of my mouth breathing, knuckle dragging cousins and a baseball bat. But lawyering up could work, too.

 

[MIGX470]

I would look to see if a 4x4 Labs rear bumper is still an option given the damage from the accident. This is the only after market bumper that I know of that actually requires you to remove the rear cross member, as well as a few inches of right and left frame rail. If the side frame rails are still straight and parallel, you may be able to just chop the damaged portion and install the 4x4 Labs in it's place.

That back door will definitely need to be replaced as long as it is just the door itself or the hinges that are damaged, and not the mounts on the body. Maybe a body shop or two will be able to give you an estimate and you can make your repair/sell decision once you find out the extent of the damage?

Still waiting to get checked out. First shop did not want to do it... She is just shy of 100k and still drives the same. Bend is in the back after axel

I am thinking more about the 4x4 labs now. Do you know of anyone who has one on the forum?

Thank you,

 

[helocat]

@MIGX470 wow man I am so sorry that happened to you and such a nice truck. However being safe and the truck taking the beating vrs you is what its there to do so good on the GX to absorb that hit.

As someone who designs and builds bumpers for the GX, the idea of getting an after market bumper to aline may take some “adjustments” to the bumper. 4x4labs is a great company and I would suggest calling Luke and asking him his thoughts about the application. I think his cutting style is just the rear cross member back of the rear body mounts so not allot forward. Your bends look forward of the rear body mounts. Again give Luke a call and see what he has to say. There always is a solution option out there and keeping your truck on the road will be a good thing.

Mark

 

[NJGX]

Still waiting to get checked out. First shop did not want to do it... She is just shy of 100k and still drives the same. Bend is in the back after axel

I am thinking more about the 4x4 labs now. Do you know of anyone who has one on the forum?

Thank you,

Like @helocat mentioned, the pics of the frame damage are beyond the section that would be cut for the 4x4 Labs. I can't think of anyone on these forums that has one, but I know there are more than a couple on the GXOR Fb group that have posted pics of their 4x4 Labs bumpers.

If body shops are unwilling to have you in for a quote, you can always pull the plastic bumper cover off on your own. That will at least give you a better idea of how bad the damage to the rearmost cross member is and you can evaluate your options from there.