Borracho's trailer hitch: 1 Chevy Cavalier: 0

So there I am, minding my own business and being the perfect citizen I am. Hey! Don't laugh....it could happen. I know what ya'll are thinking. "Damn Borracho, AGAIN!?!?!?"

I was rear ended today while driving home after running some errands. I only have a front facing dashcam, so there isn't a record of the actual accident, but in the video you can see where my truck was pushed forward.

The story: The guy hit me doing about 45-ish MPH. He was in a 2000's Chevy Cavalier and my trailer hitch CRUSHED his car. Both airbags went off, his hood was caved in, radiator was punctured, right headlight was demolished and the right wheel well was pushed in.

Right after it happened, he pulled along side me and took off! I know, right? I gave chase! It was a very slow speed OJ Simpson style chase because of all the damage he had. I called the cops and eventually they pulled him over. The local PD spotted him and we all pulled over. After about 45 minutes I got the guys insurance information (I pray it's his and current - the cops said it was). I'm 99% sure the driver and passenger went to jail because two other cop cars pulled up. They gave me the police report number and asked "Sir, do you want to press charges against him for evading?" I replied "Hell yes!" Then I heard one cop tell the other "He was weaving and I smell alcohol on him. He's got no drivers license."

All the cops involved saw the dashcam video of what happened before, during and after the accident. They found him at fault at the scene.

The cops gave me their card and the dude's insurance info and told me I was free to go. I couldn't take really good pictures of his vehicle because the cops had him boxed in and I was told to stay away from him (which I did, and was calm about it all).

End result: His car is totaled. It was leaking fluid everywhere. The driver and passenger are heading to the gray-bar hotel for the night, or longer. My trailer hitch (AKA: The Black Dino Dick) was really scuffed up and took the brunt of it. The bumper will need to be replaced because it's scuffed up in a few places. But the truck is still drivable and I am fine. Well, I have a slight headache and I'm hungry.

Oh, I checked underneath the 4Runner and there was no obvious additional damage to the truck. No frame damage or signs that things were bent. The hatchback was fine too. I was able to lift/close it with out issues and there were no signs of damage to the cargo area.

I called his insurance company already and got a voicemail for the claims dept. They're closed on a weekend. What kind of insurance company does that??!!! I left a message and I'll wait for them to call me back on Monday.

Anywho, here are pictures of my damage and his:

 

If he has no valid driver license, his insurance would likely refuse coverage on that basis. If they don't already know this, don't mention it to them.

 

Take it out for a 60+ mph drive to make sure it rides ok .

 

Dang, that is a VERY BEEFY trailer hitch.
Sucks you got punted while minding your own business
Glad you had that big trailer hitch otherwise he would have done way more damage going under your vehicle.

 

Yeah, that's what all the cops said too "Without that hitch he would have caved in the back end of your truck."

 

Beef is what's for dinner!! The only reason I leave it in mine!

 

Most likely would have went windshield deep under your 4R
Talking about assault, sticking his pokey outtie in your no no place.
Makes me wanna go out and get a chastity belt for mine as well...

 

Dang, glad you are ok bud and nobody got hurt on this one. That hitch you got means business!! Balls everywhere I tell you.

 

Glad the damage isn’t any more than that on the 4R. Makes me want to get a hitch like that too.

 

@Borracho Loco damn it finally happened!
your comments have aged nicely

 

Dude!!!! Borracho’s rear hitch is the ultimate protection device for our rear ends! I think we should all get one of those in case some POS Caviler tries to take out another one of our prized Gen5 Runners!

Glad you’re OK Borracho and hopefully that 40-year Anniversary Runner of yours is OK too.

 

Yeah, I never wanted it to happen, but it did. Well, that's what insurance is for. In the event that the other guy doesn't have legit insurance, mine will cover. I have under-insured/uninsured motorist. The deductible is $250.

So my worst case scenario, I'm out of pocket $250. No worries, I can make that in a few hours on the stripper pole shaking my money maker. Don't judge me!

 

Don't forget about that diminished value claim. I got a few thousand from a kid hitting my Tundra.

 

Better hope it won't be a Suburban or Ram 3500 next time, where the hitch becomes a giant lever to bend the frame, and put Borracho in a 6th gen

 

I doubt it would have been much different without the rhinoceros dildo. Rear bumper cover would have been wrecked either way.

Maybe the exhaust tip would have gotten bent.

 

Check your frame.
The entire force is borne by the frame in impacts like these.
A heavier pickup truck will damage the frame in a similar situation.

 

I imagine there are more big trucks than Cavaliers in Texas.

 

And quite obnoxious ones at that!

 

This is exactly why I ALWAYS have my trailer hitch on. Damage multiplier for the dumbass that rear-ends me. I had a similar instance with a Honda Accord. That Honda was left in a steaming pile of garbage. My truck had a small dent in the bumper. F-'em.

 

you had to make it weird

 

I met a guy a few years back who had Silverado 2500 series he purchased only for the purpose of being in an accident. He was rear ended in a car previously and had lot of back issues.

This truck was beast and he installed what’s called Iron Cross bumpers on the front and back which are quite heavy. He also had a big trailer hitch like yourself.

He said never again let this hit this hitch and this big bumper. He only purchased a 2500 series since it could accommodate the weight of the bumpers.

 

Update: The cop just called me and said "Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I'm still booking both of these guys in. Send me pictures of the damage when you can." He then asked me to re-confirm that I want to press charges for the hit-n-run and asked me to put an estimate on the damage. I guessed between $3 - 5k. I could be wrong, but with new cars these days, plus labor costs, I might be right.

 

Most Pick-ups in Texas are jacked up way too high to even touch that hitch. Their engine will be through the tailgate by the time the hitch nicks the front axle.

 

this is why you keep it on!!!!

 

Damn- glad you and your vehicle are for the most part ok.

 

Some folks are just plain unlucky. It’s best to just steer clear of them. Don’t want to be to close when the next bolt of lightning strikes.

Glad you weren’t hurt. That guy you used before did a pretty good job of color matching.

 

Very glad you are physically OK, The 4runner can be repaired, May wanna have a check up just to be sure, Borracho

 

Maaaan, @Borracho Loco: You can't catch a break these days! Glad you're ok too, and this is the reason my trailer hitch stays in 100% of the time too.

Yeah, I won't rely too much on his insurance. If you're able, let yours pick it up and then let them go after him.

Unfortunately, we are seeing these kind of things down here in Houston as well; Folks hitting other people's vehicles and trying to make a getaway.

PVT Pablo's comment about getting diminished value is key as well. The insurance companies usually don't "offer" it to you, since it's normally another couple of thousand dollars they have to pay in addition to the claim. This will offset the decrease in value as a result of the crash.

Hope all gets fixed up quickly man, and behave yourself!


Cheers,

Sean

 

Again?