...what kinda damage a loaded 18 wheeler would do if it rear-ended you at 10mph when you were stopped in a construction zone? Surprisingly not "much"...

linky

Was traveling from NEPA to Pittsburgh for my future sister-in-law's college graduation...hit a work zone near mile 226 on I-80W...stopped for 10 minutes waiting to move more than 10 feet at a time. Next thing I know...BOOM i'm lurching forward and then come to a stop. WHACK I'm lurching forward again and come to a stop...THWAP I'm lurching forward one more time and come to a stop.

For those of you keeping count, that was me getting rear-ended said tractor trailer three times. After I made sure my fiancee was ok I jump out and go see the driver. I started to lose my cool on the way back but then kept thinking shit happens...he's probably got his own problems....and hopefully he won't lose his job from me filing a claim for repairs. The "best" part of the whole thing...when he climbs down he asks if I'm ok and offers me $35 to "make it right." if I wouldn't file a claim. This guy was smoking some serious crack. My landlord runs a body shop and he gave me an estimate today for $623.32. Yup, $35....nice try.

The important thing is we're both ok and the truck driver is fine too obviously. The Xterra held up surprisingly well. We were considering taking her subaru back too, but had some furniture we wanted to bring from her mom's house so opted for the X. I'm sure we would've been fine in the subaru, but I think it would have sustained more damage. Not only do I love my truck, I am now thankful I own such a safe truck to protect myself and my loved ones.

Now take it to a Nissan Dealership and get a proper estimate - Probably something like $2000. Pocked the difference!

$35 for what? He was smoking something. That's just nuts. Glad you are both alright.

Actually, I will probably end up taking it to my local dealer for an estimate. I just wanted a professional opinion on it since we know how insurance companies work(heck, I work for one). They will probably tell me things don't need fixed when they do or give me non-OEM parts...

If my landlord is right(and it seems like he is b/c he came to the same conclusion as I did), I need a new bumper and brackets to mount the bumper b/c they are bent.

I agree dagger...my jaw literally dropped when he tried to hand me $35. I would love to hear his side of the story(and I'm sure I will). How can you hit someone 3 times in a construction zone when you were stopped for 10 minutes?

i say take the insurance money and use it towards a shrock bumper

Ya the X's hold up real well, my friend got rearended inher '07 yesterday in a construction zone and the taurus that hit her needs alot more work (radiator, hood, lights, pretty much everything else associated with that) she needs a new bumper and a new Gym Class Heroes sticker and thats it

+1

The front end is made to vrumble upon impact in any car. If you look at rearend collision of two sedans, for example, you will see that the one who is collided INTO fares a lot better than the one doing the hitting. This is also due to front end diving under braking, thus putting the hood, lighs and so forth right in the line of fire, so to speak.

Twat!? Twat you say!? I cun't hear you. I have an infuction in my ear!

Time for a Shrock Rear Bumper. LOL. Glad you were not seriously hurt. Idiots in big rigs. Kind of creepy.

+2 on the shrock bumper. Glad your ok though. There are some seriously stupid people out there!!!

heh...I was waiting for the Shrock replies. Took a little longer than I expected...estimate is only for 623 so it wouldn't cover the bumper....although i do need a hitch...so that makes it very tempting