Got Rear Ended On Christmas Day...
 

Hey guys...so yeah, this happened. There was traffic that suddenly bowed up on my way to visit fam, and the poor guy behind me just didn't have the brakes. Hit by a 2002 Dakota. Neither of us was hurt, so I'll count my blessings.:rolleyes:

I've only got one good pic at the moment. To those of you that have dealt with this before, I'd like your input as far as what happens going forward. Think I'm facing a total? Or will cost of repair be low enough that they'll patch her up?

First, it was a clear cut case and the fellow's insurance has said that they're covering me. So there is no dispute and they sound like they'll be easy to deal with, thankfully. The fella was very nice and felt horrible for what happened. I just told him accidents happen :P

A visual assessment of the damage:
Bumper cover obviously destroyed
Both tail lamps will need replacing
Hatch is bent and warped along with the dents. It isn't airtight along the seals to the roof so I'm sure it'll need to be replaced.
Passenger side rear quarter panel has a stress crease in the center in FRONT of the rear wheel. Unsure if the bumper being pushed forward cause this or if it's something underneath gone wrong.
Inside, the rear interior pieces have popped loose and been pushed forward significantly in the bumper area.

The car drives completely normally. You'd never think it had sustained this accident. So that leads me to think that the frame could've gotten out unscathed...but I'm definitely not a body tech. Mild vibration above 80mph but I'd guess that could just be the alignment being knocked out a bit.

I've got a meeting with a Progressive rep on Thursday for an initial rundown and estimate, and then there's a very reputable body shop here in Knoxville that I'll be taking it to after that for final estimate and/or repair, if it's not a totaled situation.

Anyone else dealt with this type of wreck in their Z, or performed the repairs and know what things look like cost-wise? Obviously diagnosing via internet is impossible but I need to know if I'm seriously looking at needing a replacement Z. :(

She's a 2011 Base model, 6spd, about 69k miles on it. Perfect condition before the incident.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I am happy you are OK.

Glad you are ok :tup:

Looks totally repairable. Get a quote from a reputable body shop and make sure the insurance pay out is comparable. Few thousand bucks outta do it assuming no frame damage.

I'm with the others, glad you are ok. However, drivers now a days are traveling WAY to close to other drivers not taking into account their vehicles stopping power and their own reaction time in order to stop safely. Sorry, I do not feel bad for the driver who hit you, driving fatalities are up again for 2016.

Be safe out there.

Based on what you said it would cost ~15-16k to replace, based on what edmunds.com says. So if the total repair costs come to 12-13k (80%) it's totaled. I don't think it will come to that though and if it doesn't see if you can get a check for "dimished value".

That's pretty much exactly what I ballparked as far as what the car's worth today. When you say "diminished value" is that implying that they'd cut me a check for the difference in what I could sell it for after repair on the basis that it was in a collision, even if the title remains clear?

And to be clear, the only reason I see a small possibility in it being totaled is how far in the bumper is pushed. I'll take a side profile pic later but it's further than a straight shot leads you to believe.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune and glad everyone is okay.

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As long as the unibody isn't tweaked you're just looking at the obvious; new bumper, new hatch, new taillights, maybe even your exhaust depending how far down the damage extends. That's all (relatively) easily replaced but the cost will add up quickly. It being a 6-year-old base model, you may try working out a deal for an estimate from the body shop if you don't want it to be totaled. As others have said it won't take much to get you to 80% of the car's value.

I'd be looking closely at things like control arm attachment points to make sure you don't have more structural damage than you think. I don't like the sound of that stress crease in the rear quarter panel... that's not an area you can just bolt off and replace.:eekdance:

It's totaled bro, glad u ok tho. Nismo upgrade

Oh no........ :eek2:

Damn that sucks. Glad your ok.

Thanks everyone for your condolences and advice. Definitely sounds like it'll come down to what we find underneath the covering...being that I've made it to 28 years old and doing this for the first time, I'm definitely lucky. I'm researching best tactics for negotiating with insurance on repayment, whether it's totaled or just to compensate for the obvious depreciation this will bring to the car when I eventually sell/trade it. More input is welcome, I'll take all I can get before Thursday! :)

dang

Hard to say with the bumper cover on. Was the right rear quarter wrinkled any? You will need a new hatch for sure. It is aluminum. Good luck, your gonna need it. Have your neck checked out by a Dr. That has been my biggest pain in the butt since I was rearended. Get it done quick, you only have 10 days from the day of the accident.

:eek: Glad your still with us..