3 Week Old RAM Rammed in the Rear...Repair Advice

[Casper]

the frame needs to be checked, esp since the hitch is bent

it doesn't take a hard hit to knock a frame out of square

even though you are demanding all factory parts, your insurance company "legally" may not have to provide factory parts (read your policy)

very few insurance companies anymore will opt for cheaper aftermarket parts when available, esp headlights, taillights, bumpers, and radiators

I sure don't miss working at a collision shop anymore

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Glad you came through alright.

Unless you are in a no-fault State, the BMW owner's insurance should be paying, and as the aggrieved party you can insist on OEM parts and a rental car.
If they balk you start talking loss of resale value (because CARFAX will document it all) and if necessary escalate the discussion to getting an attorney--if you need a Doctor's appointment you are probably entitled to that too.

 

[Michael Deery]

Well, I just got my 2018 RAM 1500 Quad Cab back after 2 weeks in the body shop and a return visit to take care of some details that slipped by the shop on the first visit. The bad news is that the body damage (none the frame) was slightly more than I knew. I was hit in the rear while stopped at a red traffic light by a BMW SUV doing about 35-40. The BMW was definitely totaled. My truck needed a new left rear quarter panel, tailgate, rear bumper, left rear tail lamp, rear bumper mounting brackets, liner for bumper, rear bed stake, some other minor parts. But, I hadn't realized that the truck was hit so hard that the bed of the truck actually hit the cab and caused minor damage to it in the left rear. Again, the frame wasn't damaged, but the bed pushed / tilted forward on the frame during the accident and hit the cab. Anyway, I got the truck back last week and I was very disappointed. there were 2 new scratches on the truck in a location that was untouched by the accident, there was a touch up spot on the newly painted panel, etc. Anyway, the shop was very apologetic, took the bed off of the truck (again), re-prepared a nd repainted the entire thing again (inside and out). Anyway, the truck looks good now and I got underneath and it looks good at mounting points, etc. Thought I'd share the after pics of my truck that was rear-ended at 3 weeks old.

 

[Michael Deery]

Yes Casper, I did have the work done through the BMW owner's insurance. Their insurance did pay for rental car, even a comparable vehicle (large SUV), not just an econo box. All parts were OEM, new,etc. Luckily no medical issues. Both my son and I are feeling ok.