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'....