XJ got rear ended on the way home from work

[Squatch]

I'm nine weeks away from retiring. About two weeks ago, I was watching how people were driving, and thought to myself that I'll be lucky if I can get through my remaining commuter miles without someone rear ending me. Well today, that's exactly what happened. Stopped in traffic about three miles from home, and I look up in the rear view mirror to see a Chrysler minivan bearing down on me. Driver was looking down. He looked up just in time to put his van into a nosedive, but not in time to keep from slamming into the back of my wife's XJ. Fortunately, I had the wherewithal to let off the brake before he hit me, thereby lessening the damage from the impact. He cracked the rear hatch, bent the bumper and one bracket, and rolled the tip of the tailpipe. His vehicle, however, broke both headlights, ripped the bumper cover in several places, broke the radiator, and bent the hood. He had coolant leaking on the roadway.

After confirming that we're both alright, we pull over and exchange information. I'm sore between the shoulder blades, but otherwise fine. We discussed whether or not to deal with things through insurance, or settle stuff without them. I told him I was going to wait and see how my shoulder area felt in the morning, and that if it hurt worse, I would utilize the insurance company. If not, then we could discuss working something out. I don't want to go through all the insurance nonsense if I don't have to. If they totaled the Cherokee over some really minor damage, I'd be pissed. If I deal with it on my own, the title stays clean. I dunno. I'm torn on the issue...🤷‍♂️

 

[BlueC]

That sucks, but at least you say everyone is ok. Did you get a police report and pictures?

You might have missed your opportunity

 

[Squatch]

Nah, didn't do a police report. Took pictures of his rig, he took one of mine. Seemed like a decent sort who just screwed-up. I'll likely just deal with it outside of the system. I'm not looking to roast anyone, or take advantage of anything. The Jeep survived surprisingly well. As hard as the impact was, I expected so much more damage. It's absolutely minimal (though the cracks around the latch button on the hatch will have to be dealt with). His vehicle took the brunt of it...

 

[Wildman]

I'd give it a few more days to see how you feel. Glad it isn't any worse. Are you sure no more damage was done to the XJ? Always worry about the uni-body.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I agree with @Wildman . I got rear ended in ‘99 and I think it may have been a much harder hit versus the description of yours. Hard enough it bend the rear of my ‘91 Chevy trucks frame down almost at a 45° angle. I still have neck and upper back pain from it.

 

[Squatch]

I'd give it a few more days to see how you feel. Glad it isn't any worse. Are you sure no more damage was done to the XJ? Always worry about the uni-body.

I crawled under it looking for any signs of kinks or deformations, and I didn't see anything at all. I checked the body-gaps around the rear hatch, and they're all even. The hatch opens and closes flawlessly. Taillights are still positioned perfectly. It really did survive the hit remarkably well. I think the fact that the minivan is so "soft" up front helped immensely. I even found the imprint of my tailpipe in his bumper cover!

 

[Squatch]

I agree with @Wildman . I got rear ended in ‘99 and I think it may have been a much harder hit versus the description of yours. Hard enough it bend the rear of my ‘91 Chevy trucks frame down almost at a 45° angle. I still have neck and upper back pain from it.

Yours definitely sounds far worse. Sorry to hear you're still suffering the affects of the accident. That's a long-ass time to have to put up with pain...

 

[MountaineerTom]

Yours definitely sounds far worse. Sorry to hear you're still suffering the affects of the accident. That's a long-ass time to have to put up with pain...

It’s not terrible, good days and bad days, but it‘s there sometimes. Hopefully you don’t have any issues.

 

[Squatch]

It’s not terrible, good days and bad days, but it‘s there sometimes. Hopefully you don’t have any issues.

Thanks, man.

 

[BlueC]

Nah, didn't do a police report. Took pictures of his rig, he took one of mine. Seemed like a decent sort who just screwed-up. I'll likely just deal with it outside of the system. I'm not looking to roast anyone, or take advantage of anything.

I get what you're saying, I just don't trust strangers that much. It's a sad reality, but many people will take an opportunity like this to just walk away from their responsibilities. A police report would give you solid evidence and ground to stand on should you have to pursue legal actions. I actually have a rather funny story as to how I learned that lesson the easy way.

I had a ~'99 Mercury Mountaineer at the time, and I was pulling into a parking spot at the grocery store when a guy in a Camry next to me decided to start backing out and ignored my horn, and there were multiple witnesses. He wound up backing into me at an angle that was perfect to do nothing but scrub my tire and shake me, and it pulled some paint off of his bumper. We're talking probably $100-200 repair. We both got out and looked things over, at which point I said no harm, I'm going in to get my groceries. He said he needed a police report because it was his sister's car and she'd be pissed if he didn't get a report for insurance. I said no problem, he called the cops and I went shopping while he waited. Well, while I was checking out, I could see him up against the cop car being arrested. I came out, handed my info to the cop for the report and he fills me in on what's happening. It turns out the guy who insisted on calling the cops for a police report so his sister "wouldn't be mad" had outstanding warrants. To make things better, his sister showed up to get her car before I left. Let's just say she was pissed at him.

Always get a police report so you know who you're dealing with. BTW, that guy seemed like an ok guy up front. I think he just had some warrants from being a dumbass.

 

[Squatch]

I get what you're saying, I just don't trust strangers that much. It's a sad reality, but many people will take an opportunity like this to just walk away from their responsibilities. A police report would give you solid evidence and ground to stand on should you have to pursue legal actions. I actually have a rather funny story as to how I learned that lesson the easy way.

I had a ~'99 Mercury Mountaineer at the time, and I was pulling into a parking spot at the grocery store when a guy in a Camry next to me decided to start backing out and ignored my horn, and there were multiple witnesses. He wound up backing into me at an angle that was perfect to do nothing but scrub my tire and shake me, and it pulled some paint off of his bumper. We're talking probably $100-200 repair. We both got out and looked things over, at which point I said no harm, I'm going in to get my groceries. He said he needed a police report because it was his sister's car and she'd be pissed if he didn't get a report for insurance. I said no problem, he called the cops and I went shopping while he waited. Well, while I was checking out, I could see him up against the cop car being arrested. I came out, handed my info to the cop for the report and he fills me in on what's happening. It turns out the guy who insisted on calling the cops for a police report so his sister "wouldn't be mad" had outstanding warrants. To make things better, his sister showed up to get her car before I left. Let's just say she was pissed at him.

Always get a police report so you know who you're dealing with. BTW, that guy seemed like an ok guy up front. I think he just had some warrants from being a dumbass.

Alrighty, then. Next time something like this happens (though I prefer it doesn't), I'll recall this good advice.

The guy gets off work today after 3:00pm. I'm feeling fine (no pain), so I'll likely discuss a dollar amount with him to work outside of the insurance. Hopefully, it all goes well, and we can put this whole thing behind us.

 

[PCO6]

@Squatch - Sorry to hear this. I hope you're alright and that your XJ is too. Good luck with your retirement. When I stopped working 10 yrs ago my driving miles went down drastically and I enjoyed where I was driving a lot more.

 

[PCO6]

I'd give it a few more days to see how you feel. Glad it isn't any worse. Are you sure no more damage was done to the XJ? Always worry about the uni-body.

AMC / Chrysler called it a uni-frame so "technically" it's a LOT stronger ... or at least I think that was their thinking.

 

[Wildman]

Now you need this for the rear frame....

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/XJRAIL.html

 

[Squatch]

Now you need this for the rear frame....

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/XJRAIL.html

Yeah, I got away with it once, but might not be so lucky the next time...

 

[Wildman]

Yeah, I got away with it once, but might not be so lucky the next time...

Add this stuff and the next time there won't be anything left of the car that rear ends you.

 

[Squatch]

When I stopped working 10 yrs ago my driving miles went down drastically and I enjoyed where I was driving a lot more.

I used to love driving, but not a "commute" type of driving when it involves traffic. I'm over that nonsense. I'm hoping to get back to finding some way to enjoy it again, which might mean driving something a little less sensible, whatever that might be.

 

[ColoJeep]

Nah, didn't do a police report. Took pictures of his rig, he took one of mine. Seemed like a decent sort who just screwed-up. I'll likely just deal with it outside of the system. I'm not looking to roast anyone, or take advantage of anything. The Jeep survived surprisingly well. As hard as the impact was, I expected so much more damage. It's absolutely minimal (though the cracks around the latch button on the hatch will have to be dealt with). His vehicle took the brunt of it...
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Bummer this happened ! , hopefully the dude is standup and you can work it outside the , "system". I hope everything turns out great for both of you.
You probably weren't injured , but watch for signs of it. Best wishes for both of you !

 

[ColoJeep]

I'm hoping to get back to finding some way to enjoy it again, which might mean driving something a little less sensible, whatever that might be.

I'm thinking a Blown Javelin AMX might fit the ticket ! Happy retirement my brother !

 

[Squatch]

I'm thinking a Blown Javelin AMX might fit the ticket ! Happy retirement my brother !

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One of the few vehicles where I appreciate the second generation at least as much as the first gen, if not more. Love those things!!!