4 car pile up: Bronco vs. GMC Sierra and two others

[JTBros]

Rear end collision ≠ Front end collision. Yes the Bronco was the only one able to drive away but the other cars crumple zones did their jobs. If rear ends of SUVs / hatchbacks crumpled it’d be a big issue.

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[Andrew Bynum]

I think the truck hit me first because I felt 3 impacts.

Since you were the front car, what happened? Everyone here assumes that the people behind you weren’t paying attention, but I’m guessing you slammed on the brakes for a reason, too.

 

[Ted Miller]

From the GMC’s Ft End, more specifically the Ft Bumper area… I’d say your trailer hitch took the brunt of the energy. Spare tire gave a good defense in displacing energy back to his grill and roof,

I’d look at the hitch and lower frame section for any bends. We’re brakes On or Off… your forward motion probably helped transmit energy too!

I got underneath and looked at the cross frame that the hitch receiver mounts to and it looks straight. The bumper brackets look straight too. The rear quarter panels are all straight as well. I think the spare tire and door took the brunt of the impact.

 

[mhtucker78]

Your Bronco may look fine, but there is a good chance of hidden damage. Get it thoroughly checked out by a reputable body shop. There could be problems like bent frame members that are expensive to fix.

@Ted Miller

This!!! I was the first car in a 4 car fender bender on the highway and sustained the least amount of visible damage and was the only car able to drive away. The body shop estimated 8K in damage until they looked deeper and found the mid frame crumple zone buckled. 20K and a new frame later my Bronco is back in action . Make sure your shop looks over everything.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Your Bronco may look fine, but there is a good chance of hidden damage. Get it thoroughly checked out by a reputable body shop. There could be problems like bent frame members that are expensive to fix.

THIS ^^^^^^^

 

[BroncoChallenger]

As others have said, make sure it's completely checked out - this often means removing interior panels and sometimes wheel well liners to look for any damage - perhaps the bumper too. There could be a LOT of hidden damage that, while it's not obvious, will show up in body lines that won't quite line up right in the future.

An old acquaintance of mine was rear-ended in his Jeep Rubicon, and it was never right again after that. The body shop did the initial repairs but noted that the body tub was damaged as well, but the insurance wouldn't pay to have that replaced, because that becomes a complete vehicle teardown and would have hit their limit for totaling it out. After several back-and-forths and multiple trips to the body shop, they were finally able to get the damage mostly straightened back out...but it's formed metal, it was never right, and when the rear door was open you could still see the wrinkle.

I do hope yours isn't in that situation, but it stresses the importance of having a GOOD body shop look it over in detail to make sure.

 

[helifino16]

I worry about Tailgaters all the time. I almost believe they are all taught to follow too closely in NY. (i.e. If you can count to three between you and the car ahead of you, you SHOULD move closer to get home quicker.)

 

[EasternSierra]

I worry about Tailgaters all the time. I almost believe they are all taught to follow too closely in NY. (i.e. If you can count to three between you and the car ahead of you, you SHOULD move closer to get home quicker.)

Tailgating + %&*@# phone use = disaster.

 

[Ted Miller]

Since you were the front car, what happened? Everyone here assumes that the people behind you weren’t paying attention, but I’m guessing you slammed on the brakes for a reason, too.

The cars in front of me all were all coming to a stop at an interchange.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

Although barely noticeable, that's going to be about $6k in repairs.

Fortunately it looks like you can drive it without issue while waiting 3-4 months to get a new tailgate.

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