Hey guys,

I'm not new to the forum but I'm posting this under a new account for obvious reasons...

About half an hour ago, I rear-ended a pickup truck while making a right turn (hit him about about 3 or 4mph. It was entirely my fault - no excuses here, just wasn't paying as much attention as I should have while creeping forward ). I guess he didn't even know he got hit, because he never stopped and pulled to the side. I immediately pulled over and waited for him, but he just drove off (the impact was at such a low speed that it didn't make much noise. I don't think I even would have heard it if I had the radio on).

I drove into a parking lot to assess the damage and take pics -- nothing sounded out of the ordinary (no squeaks, rattles, anything leaking, etc.) when I drove there and then back home.

The right front headlight is recessed about a quarter inch from its original position, and the right side of the front bumper has become unclipped and is shifted about half an inch from where it should be.

Any ideas on how much damage has been done? It looks like if I can somehow push the light back to its original position, the right side panel will be back in its original place as well. I know the bumper will need to be replaced eventually, but is there any other cause for immediate concern? Thanks for any and all advice.

Here are the pics:

 

Looks like you should be able to pop the headlight and bumper back in place. Those clips come out pretty easily, so hopefully that's it. There's a screw in the far back corner of your bumper, but it doesn't look like it was stripped out or anything, so you may be ok there.
I'd bet on just cosmetic damage. Get a little bondo and paint, or a new bumper since that's all that looks damaged to me.

 

Obvious reasons? Unless you assume your car is a winter beater and don't you really care about it, I'd take it to a body shop and get it fixed. I realize that you're talking real money for a bumper cover (really all the plastic "bumper" is), paint, realign the light, and so on (similar fix to my WRX was $560)(rally wannabe damage). But... it's not an 85 Pontiac sh*tbox.

 

D4, is that you?

 

Bumper will likely go back into place fairly easily. Headlight, hopefully too.

If its not a showcar, then just try to re-align things and get them back where they are supposed to be. If the crease/crack next to the headlight bothers you, a bit of hair dryer (or heat gun on low) should make the plastic moldable to some extent, although you might have to take the entire bumper off to get something behind the crack to push things 'outwards'.

I'm not sure why you created a new account to post this. Shit happens, and if you can't admit to having a bit of a D'OH moment, then you need to grow a pair.

 

Rick?

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Main reason I ducked and posted under a new account was because I saw a guy in my rear view looking like he was writing my license plate down, so I overreacted and thought that it could be framed as a hit-and-run if he went to the police with that information (it wouldn't be difficult to prove that the other guy didn't even bother to stop, but I'd rather not have to deal with it). I reported it myself now, so there won't be any legal issues.

I actually only have about 5 posts with my old account on this forum (all from quite a few years back, too), so this'll be my permanent account from now on.

My main fear was that there might have been some internal damage that was more than just cosmetic, but after driving the car around today I think that everything else under the hood is ok. I took the bumper clips out and examined the light today -- none of the glass is scratched or cracked, and none of the attachments are broken, just warped. You guys are right -- all I need is a new bumper (or plastic bumper "cover" as Simba said -- haha so true), and I'm gonna get it done some time next week. I estimate that it won't be much more than my deductible, so it would not be worth the hassle to go through insurance.

Anyways thanks for easing my mind, guys! I was worried that it was much more than just cosmetic damage but after your input and my closer inspection today, there's no cause for alarm.

 

About the one thing I'd be careful to ensure is working and AIMED properly is the headlight. If its aimed incorrectly even by a few millimeters, it can blind oncoming drivers quite easily. Make sure the light pattern is exactly how it was pre-accident (you surely parked in front of a wall before... try to see if the same stepped-pattern in present. I'm guessing it's not quite right as it stands now, seeing as the headlight isn't in the exact spot it was prior to the accident).

 

i was wondering the same thing

 

Your bumper could possilby be repaired and painted w/ new clips. The only internal damage could be your airbag sensor and your shock absorber in the inside of the bumber. If you take the bumper off you will be able to tell if it cracked or not. Always remember most bodyshops charge about $500 per panel on any car. Door, fender, trunk. Each is a panel and each is $500 to repair/fix anything (fix,paint)

 

I've came across a similar situation, but definitely not as severe. I was parked and I guess someone backed into my bumper. No apparent exterior damage but like yours, theres a gap between the headlights and the bumper. Looks to be about half an inch pushed down from the original position.

Any idea on how I can fix this?