[ParisTNDude]

My Camaro was rear ended last night while stopped at a traffic light. A big Dodge pickup slammed into the rear doing at least 40 mph hitting hard enough to knock my shoes off. I was in shock for a few seconds I guess coming to realize the cabin was filling with acrid burned wiring smelling smoke. The truck came to rest about six inches from the driver side door and fearing the car might catch fire, I had to bail out through the passenger side door. I was alone thank God. I really want them to total the car for many reasons most prominently that with the high amount of electronics in the car, if repaired it might always have electronic gremlins.

They took me to ER in an ambulance and tests revealed nothing broken but my neck back and left shoulder were sprained. I went home after an injection of morphine (whoo hoo) but I’m sure hurting today.

The exhaust, under side, deck lid and spoiler are the most obvious damaged parts but I’m going over now to record the damage and will update my post then.

What do you all think?

UPDATE: My Camaro did die. I got a call that they will total my car. It comes as a love/hate issue since the car was such an awesome vehicle. I loved it and everything was perfect thanks to the forum member seller's great care. I will certainly miss it. Thanks to all of you for the great discussion on the possible scenarios and well wishes. I had further doctor appointments that confirm the fact that I had a concussion along with other back and neck issues. I also had a verbal confirmation from the officer at the scene that the other car was traveling at approximately 40mph. The repair shop said there was other damage not easily apparent. The suspension was tweaked somehow, not exactly sure how that could be. They also said there was only a single warning code when they ran the scan and that was that the automatic seat belt tensioner was engaged. I find that hard to believe since the smoke was coming from under the dash. I can't imagine how the tensioner would cause the battery to totally drain. Anway...looking for a new Camaro ride. HELP!

[NeverDie]

The truck that hit you wasn't going anywhere near 40mph based on that photo.

Like... 15-20

[ParisTNDude]

Originally Posted by NeverDie

The truck that hit you wasn't going anywhere near 40mph based on that photo.

Like... 15-20

That’s what the driver told the cop. I watched him in my rear view mirror and couldn’t believe he wasn’t slowing down. There were no skid marks and the speed limit was 40 mph. I couldn’t vouch for anything at this point. Hopefully, I can get a copy of the police report soon.

[Wyzz Kydd]

Originally Posted by NeverDie

The truck that hit you wasn't going anywhere near 40mph based on that photo.

Like... 15-20

I was thinking the same. I saw a rear end collision at about 45 mph last year right in front of my kids school. A guy in a white F150 right in front of me rear ended the old Honda station wagon in front of him that was stopped due to the crossing guard. The F150's brake lights came on maybe a half second before he hit the Honda. It was like an explosion going off! Parts flew everywhere. Basically all of the Honda's rear cargo area was demolished and nothing was left of the car behind the rear wheels. If he had been doing 40 mph your trunk would be gone.

[NeverDie]

Yep, crumple zones and all that. This is also more than likely not totaled.

[94boosted]

Glad you're ok OP.

Damage doesn't look too bad tough to say if they'll write off or not

[Dave-ROR]

Exhaust is 2200 assuming it's just the catback that's damaged. Any airbags deployed? If so, it's likely going to be totalled for liability reasons.

Personally I hate rear end wrecks but I wouldn't worry about a repaired car.. then again I repair salvage cars as a hobby.

[Duc9R]

Glad that you are ok my friend. Any crash you walk away from is a good thing.
The Phoenix will rise again.

[ParisTNDude]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Exhaust is 2200 assuming it's just the catback that's damaged. Any airbags deployed? If so, it's likely going to be totalled for liability reasons.

Personally I hate rear end wrecks but I wouldn't worry about a repaired car.. then again I repair salvage cars as a hobby.

I’m not so much worried about the structural and body damage as I am concerned about the wiring that burned. I just came back from seeing it and the interior stinks like burnt wiring. It even tore the seat belt plastic cover pieces. I can’t get the police report until Monday

I will post more pics later.

[Driski]

Glad you were not hurt worse. Good luck with the car.

[Whitenoise]

As someone who very recently crawled over a center console after my wife I can feel your pain. I am really glad that you are OK. I was pissed at every human being who said that to me. A few weeks later, of course, they were all correct.

It's hard to say what is a "total loss" and what isn't. Mine *was* despite no air bag going off. So, I went from a 1SS to a 1SS 1LE for not much more. Just lost Tax Title State fees (or, rather, had to pay them again.) So, I effectively leased a car for a few years and decided to buy the same one back, with some track stuff.

Again, I'm happy you are OK and noone was with you.

D

[ParisTNDude]

I spoke with my insurance agent and the repair shop. I took more pics at the tow garage as well. I spoke to the body repair shop that I've used many times for various issues especially concerning the electrical problems. While at the tow garage, I tried my FOB and there is no power in the car because of the short circuit.

The body repair shop said they didn't do electrical repairs but that they subbed it out to dealerships. I can't honestly see a dealership being able to repair all issues that may be present with the electrical and electronic stuff. The smoke was boiling out from under the dash and I think the car was still in the on position even after I bailed out. My insurance agency said that the electrical issues may be a factor in determining it's reparability.

In the last pic, you can see how the passenger side seat belt ripped through the plastic seat belt retainer. There was no passenger, so I don't know what happened there???

Here are some more pics:

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

I’m not so much worried about the structural and body damage as I am concerned about the wiring that burned. I just came back from seeing it and the interior stinks like burnt wiring. It even tore the seat belt plastic cover pieces. I can’t get the police report until Monday

I will post more pics later.

Did wiring burn or just the airbags went off? Airbag wiring often burns a bit from the deployment of the bags but it's often easy to fix that.

If there was a wire harness fire.. I wouldn't want to touch it either!

Edit: just read your update that smoke was coming from inside the dash.. yeah I'd avoid fixing it.

[SSDan]

Oh man! This gave me a sick feeling. I'm so sorry this happened. I know you just got the 1LE and now this!

I constantly watch my mirrors for the traffic behind me because of this world of inattentive and distracted drivers. I just wrapped up the repairs on my wife's SUV that was rear ended to the tune of $5800.00. Now I am fighting with the at fault insurance company on the diminished value. Their first offer was an offensive and rejected amount of $500.00.

If your car is deemed repairable - press the issue of diminished value as that might push the vehicle into the total loss column.

I wish you the best and I understand your concerns about the hidden damage - especially the electronic stuff.