Trailer Hitch

I think that the guy who rear-ended you should get you a brand new hitch.

Similar scenario for me.
Stopped at a light and guy took off even though nobody else did....BAM! right into the back of my truck.
When I took it to the adjuster he wasn't going to give me a new hitch.
It was very, very hard to see a minute crack in a weld.

I asked him if he was OK with me pulling my trailer and the hitch coming apart.

He gave me the new hitch.

I think the safest and smartest move would be a brand new hitch. Like others I too, my PU was rear ended and without hesitation the adjuster included the hitch and even explained to me why... like NJRVer stated you are now going to see a latent failure to the weld.

Thunderbolt wrote:
I was driving to work today ....Some idiot rear ended me and wrecked my rear bumper and bent the bracket for the trailer safety chains on the hitch. I think I should get a brand new hitch instead of a used one that nobody knows if it has been overloaded or anything. What do you guys think ?

First, the other guy should definitely pay for the hitch and the bumper.

Second, in no way should you settle for a used hitch because the insurance will try and make you go with an OEM GM hitch and as you said you don't know how it was used. The real biggie is the hitches on your era of GM truck are absolute junk. I know because I had one on my '04 2500HD. They are made with weak, thin metal, poor welds, and suffer from critical flaws in the design.

I replaced mine with a Curt Magnum V receiver and had a vastly improved towing experience after that.

Here are 2 options of receivers that will be MUCH better than the junk that Cruze took out. You can almost thank that driver for crunching the OEM receiver because you'll end up with a long overdue upgrade.

Drawtite Class V

Curt Class V

KJ

2 words. New Hitch.

Thunderbolt wrote:
I was driving to work today and traffic was doing 20 mph and gaining speed on the interstate and bam ! Some idiot rear ended me...My neck is sore, but I should be okay.

Instead of worrying over the hitch, you need to go get a CAT scan. I'm far from being an ambulance chaser and quite frankly detest those who immediately claim injury for hope of a lawsuit. But depending on your state law, you only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. Get the CAT scan and hopefully you check out just fine and get on your merry way, but DO IT!! Other driver's insurance will pay if you follow the correct procedures.

I say this only because I know a family law attorney who was in an accident several years ago where the other driver was at fault. He thought he was fine, but over the next few years he struggled with a variety of symptoms related to the connection of his spine and skull. By the time it was correctly diagnosed, the stature of limitations had run out on his accident claim. To him, he's not concerned as much about the money for treatment as he is the pain and discomfort he has dealt with for several years as a result of not getting checked out immediately after the accident.

So just take the time, get checked out, and hopefully you're good to go.

A brand new hitch is only $200-$300. This is a no-brainer.

First thing you need to do is open a claim with your insurance carrier and they will contact HIS insurance. Opening the claim PROTECTS YOU. I'm an attorney in So Cal and have seen these things go backwards quickly. All of a sudden, the incident is being blamed on YOU! Funny how that happens.

Everything should be paid for with no deductible out of your pocket.

BTW, even though you open a claim, you can close it if you notify your insurance that you and the other guy settled.

Keep an eye on your "sore neck" too. You could have a more serious injury than you think.

WTP-GC wrote:

Thunderbolt wrote:
I was driving to work today and traffic was doing 20 mph and gaining speed on the interstate and bam ! Some idiot rear ended me...My neck is sore, but I should be okay.

Instead of worrying over the hitch, you need to go get a CAT scan. I'm far from being an ambulance chaser and quite frankly detest those who immediately claim injury for hope of a lawsuit. But depending on your state law, you only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. Get the CAT scan and hopefully you check out just fine and get on your merry way, but DO IT!! Other driver's insurance will pay if you follow the correct procedures.

I say this only because I know a family law attorney who was in an accident several years ago where the other driver was at fault. He thought he was fine, but over the next few years he struggled with a variety of symptoms related to the connection of his spine and skull. By the time it was correctly diagnosed, the stature of limitations had run out on his accident claim. To him, he's not concerned as much about the money for treatment as he is the pain and discomfort he has dealt with for several years as a result of not getting checked out immediately after the accident.

So just take the time, get checked out, and hopefully you're good to go.

This is very prudent advice.

Ron3rd wrote:
First thing you need to do is open a claim with your insurance carrier and they will contact HIS insurance. Opening the claim PROTECTS YOU. I'm an attorney in So Cal and have seen these things go backwards quickly. All of a sudden, the incident is being blamed on YOU! Funny how that happens.

Everything should be paid for with no deductible out of your pocket.

BTW, even though you open a claim, you can close it if you notify your insurance that you and the other guy settled.

Keep an eye on your "sore neck" too. You could have a more serious injury than you think.

I contacted my Insurance company right after the accident and gave them the information to start a claim against the other company. It is also noted that my neck was sore and to go to the doctor if I need to. MN has no fault insurance so my insurance company has to pay my medical bills.