I was rear-ended by a teenager yesterday on the way home from work while sitting at a stop light. No one was hurt luckily.

My rear bumper and hatch are fairly messed up. The hatch won't open and the hatch light stays on all the time. Definitely will need a new bumper. I drove it home after getting the insurance info and claim.

Anything else I should look for to check for damage?

 

Good to hear that no one got hurt. Make sure that it didn't bend the uni-frame.

 

Is the junkyard the only option for another tailgate/hatch?

 

I would look closely for unibody (frame) buckling around the bumper mounts and the first bend where it curves over the rear axle.

 

What is the best way to check?

I didn't notice any shaking when I got it up to 70-75 mph today on the freeway.

 

Were the police called?

 

Thank you. I will check that out once it quits raining here.

 

I did not call the police. It seemed like a waste of their time. My insurance company rep said I didn't need to call them either.

 

Won't be a waste of time if the kid's insurance denies your claim or tried to short-hand you.

I've always been taught to get a police report if in an accident.

 

In Utah if you hit someone in the rear, it's automatically your fault. Ask me how I know ;-)

 

Me Too!
There was only one accident I didn't call them. That was because I was rear ended at a stop light by a drunk drive and it caused me to hit a police car. So, needless to say. They where already there.

 

Same in California. Unless you can provide compelling evidence that the person backed into you, a rear-end collision is always the fault of the following driver.

 

That, my friend, is just poetic.

 

Indeed. I wonder if the drunk driver still tried to lie lol.

 

you sure your neck doesn't hurt now?? Lol