Rear ended by a Jeep Wagoneer

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'll probably get flamed for this.... but I think with all of these 'rear end' collisions, maybe the brake light orientation on the Rivian isn't so great. On my R1T, the upper brake lights are fine, but the little ones on the actual rear corners of the car seem far too small.

I realize thee are federal regulations about the minimum brightness and visible distance, but it sure seems like Rivian opted for something too dinky and placed too 'outboard' for maximum visibility.

If someone isn’t looking it doesn’t matter how big or bright the brake lights are. In that situation there is no remedy beyond that inattentive driver and their vehicle’s ability to avoid collision. If anything, like reverse cameras, collision avoidance should be mandatory equipment. Either way none of this quarterbacking is going to help OP in his current situation is it?

Agree with other comment… best to not rely only on the offender’s insurance. Put your insurance to work. The other insurance company will try anything to keep their obligations to the minimum. You need to deploy resources to mind your interests, and that’s your insurance and why you pay them.

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[Rivian Owner]

Dealerships have insurance for just such things. I got hit one time by a guy (he actually wiped out 5 vehicles) who purchased a vehicle and the dealer didn't check insurance or drivers license before turning over the keys. The dealership's insurance ended up covering the costs of the accident.

I agree with the other posts, let your insurance company handle it. You could make statements to the other party's insurance that could be used against you. Your insurance company knows how to handle this; any rear ender like you experienced is almost always the fault of the rear ender not the rear endee. If your agent/company are worth their salt, they should help you get a loaner vehicle (loss of use), and depreciated value, as well as quality repairs. Also keep in mind, the ender's insurance can't dictate where you get the vehicle repaired or at what cost since their client (dealership or individual) caused your loss.

 

[defcon888]

I am paranoid about being rear ended because back in 2018 I was rear-ended driving my Camry by some guy in a BMW. The only damage was that the trunk was a little bit smashed in, but the pillars in the back were just a little bit smashed, they ended up totaling the car.

I drive a long way to and from work and when I see a car come up behind me I will admit I look to see what the cars condition looks like (oxidation on the hood, dirty, etc.). If the car looks junkie, I will move over and let them pass. If it is a nicer car like a Tesla, Audi, Lexus, etc., I know that they care about their car as much as I care about mine so I will just make sure that I have enough space in front of me so that I can slow down slowly and they can see me stopping

 

[csharp]

Regen breaking does not really effect brake lights like that. Regen breaking lightly would be the equivalent of someone in an ICE vehicle taking their foot off the gas and coasting. No brake lights are present.
In an EV w one pedal driving if you take your foot off the gas completely and slow down quicker than 1g or 1m/s^2 then your break lights illuminate.
This isn't a case of ICE drivers understanding or not understanding regen breaking. It would be the equivalent of a driver rear-ending someone who was coasting to a stop (no break lights present).

 

[Steve A.]

My Rivian is still functional but took a hit on freeway.

I'm wondering how much in repairs I'm look at.

Unfortunately, rear end collision damage can be deceiving and depends on how hard and at what angle you're hit.

Where's your rear camera video of the collision?

This was mine from 11/19/2024:


This is what the damage looked like:




I drove it the rest of the way to work and then home 12 hours later a total of ~75 miles but then then the suspension and sensor warning lights started so I had it towed to the Rivian certified shop where it still sits there over 2 months while the shop continues to go several rounds with my insurance company over the final estimate which the shop says is $29,600 after tearing it down and calling Rivian service regarding parts not in the database (e.g. rear floor), but my insurance company is only up to $21k after starting at $3,800 based upon only photos like above.

At the end of today if my insurance company doesn't agree to pay the full estimate them the shop won't start repairs unless I guarantee the $8k difference! SMH

Otherwise, if I decide to take it to another Rivian certified shop, then I have to pay the $6k-$7k in storage fees ($100/day) and teardown labor.

The best part is that the driver of the p.o.s. Chevy Silverado that catapulted the p.o.s. Honda Civic into my R1S rear end only had the Maryland minimum required insurance coverage which is $15k for property damage which won't even cover the totaled Civic let alone my R1S repairs which results in an uninsured motorist claim with my insurance company that will cause my insurance rate to go up most likely or even may result in my insurance company dropping me since this is the third no fault accident with 3 different vehicles on my policy in the last 2 years which has happened according to my independent insurance agent. #OnlyInAmerica!

I hope OP experience is much better but lessons learned are:
1) the total damage is usually more than it appears once they start pulling parte off.
2) Insurance companies don't want to pay any more than they have to even if it's not your fault.
3) ALL insurance companies SUCK including your own!

 

[gultin]

My Rivian is still functional but took a hit on freeway.

I'm wondering how much in repairs I'm look at.

Hoping there were no injuries!

I've always been curious how the mechanics of crumple zones work. I imagine the Wagoneer isn't a low riding vehicle, so perhaps it's hood starts around the same height as the RIVIAN label on the tailgate. If so, I wonder why the Rivian's tailgate is relatively unscathed, whereas the Wagoneer's hood is crumpled like a napkin?

 

[narmstrong79]

Crazy how crumple zones work, that Jeep absorbed all that energy.

 

[Seano]

Regen breaking does not really effect brake lights like that. Regen breaking lightly would be the equivalent of someone in an ICE vehicle taking their foot off the gas and coasting. No brake lights are present.
In an EV w one pedal driving if you take your foot off the gas completely and slow down quicker than 1g or 1m/s^2 then your break lights illuminate.
This isn't a case of ICE drivers understanding or not understanding regen breaking. It would be the equivalent of a driver rear-ending someone who was coasting to a stop (no break lights present).

I've often thought the Rivian was safer kicking on the brake lights at times - I also drive a car with a manual: typically leave it in good gear for the speed... it slows pretty quickly when I lift off, but of course no brake lights.

 

[iansriv]

Its been more than 2 weeks and Statefarm would not respond. I was not willing to do it on my insurance, so do not have a quote yet

Glad everyone is ok. I'd get in touch with an attorney. They should handle everything for you.

 

[praneeth91]

Was in a similar situation in Oct 2024 where an civic driver rear ended me on a free way. The damage didn't look bad and it was perfectly drivable. It was in Pleasantan,CA shop since Nov 28th and is still getting repaired with an ETA of 2nd week of Feb and an updated estimate of ~30k.

Hopefully, that will give you an estimate of what to expect. Also yet to start looking into diminishing value claim. Any advice here on how to go about it?

 

[NY_Rob]

I’ve thought this too. We can blame our government for this. If there wasn’t a law that said a brake light cannot be on a movable part we could have the entire rear lightbar.

Is that a thing Donald? Do they make an exception for the 3rd light? look at where the 3rd brake light is on the Wrangler.. right on the spare tire which is mounted to the tailgate that swings out.

 

[Rivian Owner]

Glad everyone is ok. I'd get in touch with an attorney. They should handle everything for you.

And the attorney will take 40% of the settlement! I'd go to YOUR insurance company, they'll be obligated to foot the bill if they can't get the money from the other parties involved.

 

[SDH]

.. If it was truly the other party's fault then it won't affect your rates at all.

He got rear-ended. 100% other drivers fault. Case closed.

 

[SDH]

The heavier object usually wins. Let me guess, they were texting?

or on Face Time. I see that a lot.

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