So on my way to work here in Wisconsin I take I-94 W to HWY 45 N. I'm in the lane that will eventually become the ramp and merge onto 45. Traffic is usually slow there, averaging about 15 - 20 mph. Cars ahead of me start hitting the brakes, and all the red tail lights come on; obviously I hit the brakes as well. I come to a complete stop briefly. While I'm stopped I see a little Honda Civic (I believe) screaming down my tail pipe. I hear tires scream, then I cringe and BAM... The damage has been done. I wish I wasn't stopped so I could have pulled off the side and given her more room. She must have hit me at 5, maybe 10 mph. I get out of the way of traffic to see what it looks like, I see her damage first. It didn't look good; headlight shattered, hood slightly buckled and her bumper was cracked. I was scared to look at mine, but I had to see my baby. I was surprised; it wasn't as bad as I thought. The bumper is scratched and paint is all stripped off, but otherwise I think I got the better deal. I didn't have a lot of time to look at it because I was already late for work, but it didn't appear that it was dented or shifted. I think she went under it more than into it. Going to get a quote at a body shop later today and see what the damage it. I don't have my camera now, but I'll post a pic later.

 

Glad your car didn't sustain much damage! I am surprised I have yet to be in an accident around where I live, but I don't really want to be in one unless it means getting my bumper replaced and repainted

 

depending, most shops won't "repair" it...they'll just replace it instead OR they'll repair it, but charge the other guy's insurance company for full replacements...mo money in their pockets...

 

sorry to hear that...
glad u didn't get a lot of damage..

 

Bummer. I always hate looking in my mirror watching cars bearing down on me in situations like that.

 

Sorry to hear about your accident.....fortunately no one was hurt. I take 45 north every day, but I hop on at North Ave and head to the Falls, so I probably was north of where you had your accident.

What shops are you taking it to? For what it is worth, I had a very good experience with my old CL at Marshall Services in Waukesha (this is who Acura of Brookfield uses/recommends).

Good luck!

 

Here are a few pics of the damage. I got a couple estimates and one place wants to remove, sand and repaint the bumper; while the other wants to just replace the bumper all together.

What do you think I should do? I'm leaning towards the one who quoted the new bumper.


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^ wow looks like the civic vaporized and left some residue... almost looks like its from salt from a snowy day.

 

lol Id say if you can get a new bumper then do that... its always better to just replace then to just fix it up... but be warey insurance companies dont like paying for new parts... just got into an accident myself and the insurance company and the body shop were going back and forth for over a week whether they should replace my bumper... even though it had a huge crack in it!!

 

Kinda hard to tell by the pics but most of it just looks like clear coat scuffs. Are there any visible gouges or cracks in the bumper? If not i wouldnt replace the bumper. Most of that looks like it cold be buffed out.

 

The only bigger problem is in the lower right corner of the license plate mold. It was a weaker point and is a bigger blemish when you run your hand over it.

I took the pictures before I got my estimates. They wiped some salt off and stuff, so it looks a little better. I'm still not thrilled about it though.

 

Fortunately, it should be a fairly easy job for someone - no matter what route you take. I agree with fsttyms1 - if it is just "superficial" type scratches, just have them sand, buff, polish. .......if there are some serious gouges or cracks, just get a new bumper. Was the other driver insured? What company? What did your estimates come back at?

 

couldnt of say it better myself..

 

Yes, the other driver was insured with Liberty Mutual. I had to go to a specific body shop and it looks like I'm going to get the sand and repaint.

I went to the car wash today and it looks better than it did initially.

 

damn man srry to hear about this...i use my rearview mirror a lot when im on the freeway or even on the streets and when sumone is tailgating or i see them comin fast i break right away but just enough for them to see my brake lights so they can either change lanes or slow the hell down....

 

Don't go to the body shop they tell you. Their dumbass driver hit you, go where you want, they need to cover it.