Results of being rear-ended at 45 MPH

[bull8042]

I know many have wondered what would happen if you were hit from behind in your little smart. It has always been a big concern of mine, but I really never wanted to find out firsthand. Well, against my wishes, it happened!
A 1/2 ton pickup stopped in front of me to turn left on a two-lane road. I stopped behind him and was waiting for traffic to clear. I glanced up in the rearview and saw a Honda Accord approaching. As I looked back forward to see if the truck was moving yet, it suddenly occurred to me that the Honda was flying. Before I could react or even look back up into the mirror, he slammed into the back of my little Passion Coupe. I remember my head hitting the headrest, the starry flash, then the deafening silence.
The driver said he didn't realize we were stopped, in spite of several hundred yards of clear open road between us. The sun was shining, roads were dry, and traffic was moderate like every day at lunch. He managed to leave less than 15 feet of skidmarks before shoving the nose of his Honda up my poot-chute! Which in turn bounced me right into the back of the pickup truck.
Damage to the rear of the smart was really a smashed Doug Thorley exhaust and a couple metal braces/brackets. The front fared much worse because of the judicious use of plastic. However, the frame itself was untouched. I drove my little car home, then to the body shop a couple days later.
Because of the cost of replacement parts from Germany, the ins co decided to total my car!

[Wdhitch]

You need to get a new insurance company... If it's as you said and there's no frame damage... which it looks like you're right... The parts to fix would be less than $2000... I speak from experience... and you could have fixed it yourself at that.

Any chance you can keep the car?

[Padawan]

Glad to hear you're okay, and the smart protected you the way it should.

[Suze]

Thanks for sharing your story and pictures, bull8042, but the real question is How did YOU fare? No injuries, I hope. And the other drivers?

Be sure to post to safeandsmart.com

[Carl242]

Great to hear you survived--another testament to safety of our little cars. If I were you I'd find out if the ins. co gives the option to buy back the totaled car.

I know someone who crashed a 2006 Pontiac Sunfire, which still ran and drove fine after the crash. It was repurchased for $500, and is going to go into the 24 Hours of Lemons. If you could get that price then you'd basically have a very cheap Fortwo

[gstreetcomic]

I second that notion. I was about to say that same thing. I think it be a very good testimonial on how well you and the Smart faired out in the long run. Meanwhile id be fighting the insurance company on the totaled declaration. The frame held up well it is only what new panels and exhaust?

Originally Posted by Suze

Thanks for sharing your story and pictures, bull8042, but the real question is How did YOU fare? No injuries, I hope. And the other drivers?

Be sure to post to safeandsmart.com

[vwaudimb]

rear ended at 45 mph shows not much damage in the rear wow the accord seems has more damage visually.

[bull8042]

Well, the radiator was damaged and the ac lines kinked. The MB collision center tore it way down to get a list of all parts that needed to be replaced. They were up to $9800 not including labor when I talked to them. So the insurance company was afraid it was quickly approaching the 75% mark of the value of the car.
I have thought about trying to get the car. But, since I got laid off the SAME DAY, there are not a lot of extra funds laying around. And it doesn't seem to be a lot of need for Electrical Engineers right now, so I may be in for some lean times.
I am going to pick up a new Brabus hopefully next week and move on.
As for me, I do have a lot of back and neck pain. So that will be another situation to deal with even after a new car is in the garage.

[sunnyokanagan]

Yikes! Glad you are OK. But laid off AND smashed up on the same day.... OUCH!

I feel your pain, buddy.

[John_H]

Get well, rest up, and try to come up with a switching power supply scheme that's inherently 98%+ efficient in your downtime.