So, this past Thursday, while coming home from a great day in the Smoky Mountains, I got in an accident near my house.

The accident occurred at a spot in Knoxville, TN that has had its fair share of accidents.

There was a truck in front of me, who had to stop short due to a car in front of it coming to a DEAD STOP so as to allow another lane of 5-7 cars to merge into our lane. Ugh. So, I hit the truck in front of me. A truck behind me had no place to go, and ended demolishing my driver-side rear and the bumper.

Looking at the photos, it's not too bad, I suppose; the estimate came in at $4824. As with any accident, I'm more worried about what the potential issues that can't be seen (i.e.-mechanical). I have confidence that the body shop will make the truck look cosmetically the same as when it went in with only 2977 miles.

With all that said, what should I be on the lookout for, or, what can I look for the minute that I pick it up so that the shop and my insurance company can't say that I did damage once I've left the shop?

Now, the pics.

 

There doesn't appear to have any mechanical damage?

 

I don't think so, but then again, i'm not a mechanic. The only thing that I heard when driving it to the shop was a slight metal-on-metal sound from the driver front. I'm hoping it was just the out of place bumper rubbing on something it normally wouldn't.

Of course, my mind wanders to it being the electric power steering, or something wrong with the suspension in that area, or worse something in the engine, transmission, or transfer case. I must say the first turn of the dial into 4x4 will bring with it a gasp, hoping nothing is messed up.

(Or is all of this worry just stupid?)

 

The front end looks completely fine mechanical-wise, but how did your rear get literally chewed and ripped up?

 

The truck behind me tried to miss me, so swerved to their left. They were in a slightly lifted Dodge Ram, mid-90s. Their passenger headlight area looks just as bad.

 

Looking at the photos I would say that the impact(s) must have been at relatively low speeds.

I don't see anything in either photo that would suggest any mechanical damage - everything looks completely cosmetic.

 

Sorry that has happened to you. Not a good feeling, for sure.

 

Looks like you are going to be replacing both front and rear bumpers..... if you had any thoughts of getting out of the chrome, and going to a PTM, This is the PERFECT opportunity.

Same idea with the tails.... if they order a smoked one for the left, you can be into a pair of Harley tails for the price of one....

Also, take note of any and all clear plastic along the edges of the box panel. They are often overlooked when trucks are repaired and painted. They have a purpose.

 

I just haven't seen sheet metal get torn like that from a low-speed impact, like my dog chewed it up like a piece of fabric.

What Canadianelbow said is a potential upside. I sometimes wish someone would tap a bumper or two and force me to get the white bumpers I want, and on their dime!

 

No worries man I just creamed a 7000 dollar deer last week. Demolished the front of my 11 Fx4

 

make sure they check the head light lens, i nicked a deer and had the bumper and grille replaced and noticed later on the right head light that moisture and water get in... Get the aftermarket parts you want, saves them coin from having to order genuine Ford parts and you get what you want!

 

Heard back from the shop today, now that my truck had all the damaged parts removed. The estimate has gone up $1800 to $6600 now. The rear needs a new trailer hitch, and there are brackets both front and rear that need replacing.

Still hoping that it will track straight and that they catch everything that may be damaged!

 

That totally sucks! Doesn't your neck hurt? LOL

 

Ouch . . . I would've said $1800 was too low though.

 

That was $1800 additional. Original estimate was $4800.