Got hit from behind today in the truck :(

[weq92f]

Heading home today from the Good Guys Lone Star Nationals at TMS in Ft. Worth TX I was struck from behind while negotiating a stop and right turn at a major intersection. I was almost to a complete stop when I got hit pretty hard. The bumper, tag and hitch are destroyed. The tailgate, which now has a dent near the middle toward the bottom part of the outer panel, might be repairable if the whole thing didn't get bent.

Haven't even looked underneath it yet. Haven't tried to open the tailgate.

I was alone in the truck and am feeling pretty good right now about 3 1/2 hours after the hit. The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee seemed to be OK as well but her vehicle took the impact and the G forces all in the front bumper. I doubt she felt a thing really except for a sudden stop. I was wearing my shoulder belt and definitely felt the weight of the Jeep.

I think my head smacked the back glass and then I'm stopped sorta 1/8th the way into the oncoming traffic.

<skip>

Tried to get the cops on scene but this happened at like 5 O'clock pm on Friday so the traffic was lined up in all directions and it just didn't seem like they were gonna show up any time soon.

With that, I took a copy of the driver license and insurance card and we went on our way.

Once I made it home without any further issues, I made contact with my insurance Online, opened a 'claim' and got a claim number. Then I contacted her insurance carrier and opened a claim giving verbal data less than 2 hours after then accident. This data included my Hagerty 'claim' number regarding the same as well as information positively identifying their policy holders and the driver. I was issued a claim number and the name/number of the assigned adjuster/contact.

Hopefully there is no frame damage or other crap I can't see from the outside.

I'm driving the damn thing back to TMS tomorrow and enjoying myself there nonetheless. I'll put my chair against the ugly spot there in the back so nobody sees it and I'll just refrain from doing much crusin' up and down inside the grounds!

-klb

[weq92f]

These are the pictures I uploaded to the other driver's insurance ( some info redacted )...

[72 tigger]

Glad it wasn't worse- sorry that happened

[69 C10 LWB]

Glad you’re ok and the truck doesn’t look too bad. My 64 got hit a few years ago in a similar situation. Had an little Acura that didn’t slow and slammed into my bumper. I had the last laugh, the square bumper shaped hole in his windshield and divot in the hood from the rear end made me feel good that I only need some bed side straightening and remount the tailgate. No frame damage.

[stsalvage]

Geico sucks for claims.Grundy is the only way to go and best off if you leave a show Have the trailer hitch sticking out.I've seen more and more people avoid from hitting he back of my truck cus that trailer hitch dose a lot of Damage I hate Roll pans.Any one that puts a rool pan on the back of there truck is just looking to having a messed up truck i like them Big steel bumpers

[35boulder]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Good news, at least she had insurance! Enjoy day 2 of the show!

[1968k20]

I have driven orange/yellow/red vehicles over the years. People never see them!

[VetteVet]

Glad your OK as well I would go see my DR and get checked for whip lash and maybe a concussion. BTW was her cell phone damaged?

[68ihscout]

Originally Posted by VetteVet

Glad tour OK as well I would go see my DR and get checked for whip lash and maybe a concussion. BTW was her cell phone damaged?

Funny (on the phone )
Posted via Mobile Device

[Shinysideup]

Originally Posted by VetteVet

Glad your OK as well I would go see my DR and get checked for whip lash and maybe a concussion. BTW was her cell phone damaged?

Please do this. I've always heard people feel fine till like 3 days later then wham it hits you.

[68ihscout]

Glad u are ok ,Allthough it does not look bad there is always hidden damage good used oem parts are better than any after market stuff.
Posted via Mobile Device

[CG]

Dang, got your year specific plate too

[BigDwa]

Sorry that happened. Hope you can enjoy the rest of the show. Was out there yesterday and saw some nice trucks. Not my favorite area to drive in the DFW area.

[weq92f]

.
Thanks everybody.

Went for day two at the event with several friends along with a buddy and his '67 Chevelle. We setup some shade and made our way through the awesome car-show-kind-of day here in DFW.



Lots of folks came by and noticed the bumper and tailgate all mangled up. Just about all of them asked if that happened at the show!

Had a good day.

We did crawl under it and found that one bumper mount strut was completely curled back on itself and the hitch is likely OK. The frame may have taken a hit. Need to get the bumper out of the way.
Looks like only the outer skin of the gate was damaged.

-klb

[Acorn]

Glad you are ok and that you got to enjoy the show.
I did a double take when I saw he pic of the insurance card because I live in Winnsboro and my wife drives a white Jeep! But, if it had been her, I know she would have seen you because she would have been trying to take a pic of your truck! The population in Winnsboro is just a little over 3000 so, I'm betting I will see a dinged up Jeep driving around town next week!

[weq92f]

The driver is the daughter of parents living in Winnsboro. I suspect they also own the Jeep. The parents names were on the insurance card and the driver didn't share any part of those names nor the address. The driver is about 20 yo, according to her DL, so she's probably a student somewhere and this is perfectly normal. I guess the truth will be in the details that come out next week when the Insurance agencies start their discussions!

Anyhow... small world we live in eh.

-klb

Originally Posted by Acorn

Glad you are ok and that you got to enjoy the show.
I did a double take when I saw he pic of the insurance card because I live in Winnsboro and my wife drives a white Jeep! But, if it had been her, I know she would have seen you because she would have been trying to take a pic of your truck! The population in Winnsboro is just a little over 3000 so, I'm betting I will see a dinged up Jeep driving around town next week!

[Coley]

Originally Posted by weq92f

The driver is the daughter of parents living in Winnsboro. I suspect they also own the Jeep. The parents names were on the insurance card and the driver didn't share any part of those names nor the address. The driver is about 20 yo, according to her DL, so she's probably a student somewhere and this is perfectly normal. I guess the truth will be in the details that come out next week when the Insurance agencies start their discussions!

Anyhow... small world we live in eh.

-klb

It would be interesting if the Insurance company asked to see her cell phone records to see if any texts align with when the accident occurred.....very, very common.
So much so that texting and distracted driving (via electronic devices) now kills and injures more people per year than drinking and driving.

You would think that MADD (mothers against drunk drivers) would be replaced by MAED (mothers against electronic devices)....except for the fact that the Mothers/parents are the ones that bought and pay for those cell phones that cause their teens/etc harm...lol

C.

[Coley]

$50 says that she was looking at her phone at the time......pretty much guaranteed.

The truck doesn't look too bad....never a good thing tho' and glad everyone seems to be ok.

Coly

[ubtripn]

That is a drag. I must say, on my Tahoe keeping the hitch in the draw-tight has stopped a couple of accidents from being worse. I do think if we build them to the point where we won't drive em kind of defeats the point so good for you for being out there. (I am not into hanger queens.) Hope it doesn't take much getting back to good.

[Roady’s truck]

I went to southwest classic and summit in Arlington Saturday “I forgot good guys was in town” and drove my 72 there and back, that was my biggest concern Saturday was being rear ended.

Sorry to here/see but at least it’s not reall bad.

[weq92f]

The other driver's insurance has accepted responsibility.

I have an appointment with an adjuster and he has the ability to write a check.

I figure I'm going to get low balled at the appointment with something less than 1000 bucks, maybe 1500.

Any advice on how I should go about this? I've been trying to get Hagerty on the phone to maybe get something from them in terms of advice or strategy or words of wisdom but nada, nothing.

I priced out the parts at LMC:

Repop tailgate: 350
prem bumper: 190
mount hardware: 70
bolt kit: 10
license panel: 30
hardware: 10
deflectors: 20

total 680

That's assuming I want repop tailgate and LMC parts. Then add to that the paint work that'll be required to get the tailgate prepped, and painted to match the rest of the truck ( hugger orange ).

Plus my current gate has the latch handle on the back side, so that has to be duplicated as well for additional cost, body work, etc.

I need some advice here on how to proceed if any of you can help,, thanks!

-klb

[weq92f]

Got Hagerty on the phone finally.

My policy there is full collision, zero deductible, up to stated value of policy to return vehicle to state of condition before loss.

The advice from them is to proceed with caution, do not accept funds ( duh! ) unless happy with said funds, and I have the choice to either go with Geico or hagerty for my coverage of loss.

Since I'm sure Geico will not attempt to cover my loss adequately, the advice was to go get an estimate that reflects my wishes exactly ( full replacement of all hardware and either proper repair or replace of tailgate with specialty finishes to match ) and see if Geico will match that. If Geico is not willing to accommodate that, the Hagerty will cover me properly then go after Geico for reimbursement.

That's what I'll do methinks then. Any good shops in the DFW area anybody want to recommend?

Thanks,

-klb

[sick472]

I had a similar accident, not my fault, and it really makes a difference if you can take your truck to a classic car restoration place for the estimate on your behalf. The man that I took my car to does full restorations AND regular everyday insurance claims so he knows both sides of the coin. It will be worth the extra miles to take it to a classic car business...Good luck!

Oh YEah, btw...make sure you add the license plate's value in. Regular ole' folks don't know how much those can cost or the PITA to find them either!

[Smitty]

You can go with Haggerty and since the other person was at fault they will then collect from Geico to recoup their money. You don't have to mess with them.

[weq92f]

Thanks! Hadn't even thought to recoup the cost of the plates. Yup that cost me about 120 on the purchase of those plates if I remember right. And it'll cost me again to replace them!

I have found a couple of Classic ride friendly restoration and repair shops that have their own fabrication, metal, body and paint shops in house and do full restoration jobs as well as less than full jobs like what I have. Appreciate the quick advice and well wishes.

I don't think I'm going to even give the Geico guys a chance because they're going to treat my truck like it's a 50 year old farm vehicle worthy of Service King's bondo and deluxe spray service, which isn't going to cut it.

I'll be hitting one of these nearby shops soon and we'll see how they approach my damage!

-klb

Originally Posted by sick472

I had a similar accident, not my fault, and it really makes a difference if you can take your truck to a classic car restoration place for the estimate on your behalf. The man that I took my car to does full restorations AND regular everyday insurance claims so he knows both sides of the coin. It will be worth the extra miles to take it to a classic car business...Good luck!

Oh YEah, btw...make sure you add the license plate's value in. Regular ole' folks don't know how much those can cost or the PITA to find them either!

Originally Posted by Smitty

You can go with Haggerty and since the other person was at fault they will then collect from Geico to recoup their money. You don't have to mess with them.