OK, I know accident damage is best left to professionals but just wanted a bit of guidance - got hit from behind whilst stationery at traffic lights this morning, great thud, other guy driving at around 40mph. Anyway, his front end (Audi A4) is totalled, panels buckled, lights, bumper, grill, radiator leaking etc and needs a tow truck. Me? 240 Wagon, fitted with tow bar, has a scratch on the rubber tow cover and a bit of trim fallen off.

Clearly if it hadn't been for the tow hitch, I would have been a lot worse off; however, that hitch is connected to a pretty large v shaped steel frame and it no doubt got pushed in underneath the car. The tailgate is fine but both rear doors are a little tighter on closing.

Even if it drives ok, should I have it checked out? Car only cost me $400, I've done 18,000 miles in six months, if I walk away today, I'm happy - it wasn't my fault so I can go through insurance, but they'd quickly decide it's not worth repairs and just pay me off a small sum.

Any advice? By the way, this was my first real accident in a Volvo, and now you can really see why they're known as 'bricks'....

Let *your* insurance company know of the situation. I presume you have a police report too?

You are looking at some frame time to pull back the entire rear. The doors are tighter because the body got slightly compressed - look at the door gaps, and you'd prolly see a difference. The bumper shocks are toast, and I'm not suprised if the engine and tranny mounts are damaged (torn) now too, as they are designed to break away in an accident.

-- Kane
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Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

Since it's his insurance company paying, you should definately have it checked out, especially since it sounds like your car may have some structural damage. Your rear impact protection isn't really designed to have the towbar attached, and they can do some interesting damage when they get hit.

Anyway, whatever damage is done, he's got to put a claim in anyway, you may as well get it checked out and see what's been done to it.
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Drive it like you hate it