Bumper bender.

General discussions about the Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix. New members, introduce yourself here!
Post Reply
Atomic
Posts: 366
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:17 am

Bumper bender.

Post by Atomic »

So, I'm on a busy street, stopped in the left lane, turn signal on, waiting for the oncoming traffic to clear to pull into a store parking lot.Them BAM! I get rear-ended by a GMC Envoy.I get out and go back to get the driver's information, and I see that he got rear-ended too.He was at a full stop behind me, when the minivan driver behind him noticed too late, tried to swerve to the right lane, and caught his rear quarter, with enough force to push him forward into me, which pushed me about five feet forward.The impact also managed to open the left side cubby and spill all the loose change in there all over the floor.It jarred my head and neck, (I got a decent headache right now), and the passenger in the Envoy got a good jolt also, and I called 911 for an ambulance, as she didn't want to move her head or neck.They took her away on a board, I hope she's okay.There is only (as far as I can tell) some minor damage (in the form of a crease) to the rear bumper cover, it looks like it just folded during the impact, then sprung back down again.The front of the Envoy appeared unharmed, the front of the minivan had the whole front corner pretty much mangled.The police came, the officer took down everything, and said that I would have the accident report delivered in the next two to three days, which is good, because I was kind of shook up, and I neglected to get either of the other driver's information. But I do have to say, the Vibe seems to have held up really well.What really scares me, is the amount of force I felt from that impact didn't set of the airbags, I wonder just how severe the impact would have to be to do that.I hope NONE of us EVER finds out.I guess it had to happen sooner or later....I was hoping later...much much later....closer to never actually.
05 Base Vibe, Abyss (also known as Black to un-Vibers)Auto, Power Pkg, 16" alu, 20% tint all around, Black powder coated roof rails (the anodizing didn't last in the sun)Member of S.A.V.E. (Secret Association of Vibe Enthusisasts)
jimincalif
Posts: 622
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2003 1:59 am

Post by jimincalif »

Sorry to hear about the rear-ender. Glad you're OK. I got rear ended in my Vibe when it was just a few months old. The back bumper does hold up well. When I had mine repaired turned out there was nothing that needed replacing, just some gouges fixed and the bumper repainted.The airbags are designed to trigger on impact of you hitting something (rapid deceleration). Getting rear-ended while at a stop is rapid acceleration.
"We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." - Winston Churchill---------------------------------Who is John Galt?2 Vibes, 03GT & 07 base (kids drive)1993 Lexus LS4001980 Fiat Spider
WaveAction
Posts: 3926
Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:34 am

Post by WaveAction »

i've gotten rear ended aswell..my bumper held up too..guess gm makes good bumpers lol
User avatar
808 Vibes
Posts: 3923
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 2:53 pm

Re: Bumper bender. (Atomic)

Post by 808 Vibes »

I'm so sorry to hear that! If I remember right, airbags will go off if you're going over 30 mph and hit something within so many degrees from the centerline of the car. I had a similar situation with my Firebird...I had my signal on, was in the left lane, yielding to oncoming traffic...when I got hit from behind. HARD. I looked behind to see an octogenarian in a brand new (no tags yet) white toyota. She had stomped on the gas instead of the brake. Two months before hitting me, she hit a parked car the same way. And she's STILL driving and getting into accidents to this day!!! I know she did major damage to that toyota, because she did over $2000 damage to my Firebird-bent the frame and all. I can't explain just how hard she hit me-only that I thought I got hit by a speeding bus or semi truck. I hope your Vibe gets fixed soon!!!!!
~ ALIS VOLAT PROPRIIS ~
User avatar
ColonelPanic
Posts: 8435
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 8:48 am
Location: South Central Indiana

Re: Bumper bender. (Atomic)

Post by ColonelPanic »

That sucks! I'm glad you're doing ok... Hopefully you'll still feel good tomorrow. I've been in the middle of a sandwich such as that before, it was no fun. Hope you can get the car fixed up soon.
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
Neptune/dying clearcoat/primer grey. :lol:

Image

'21 Elantra Limited - 2.0L/IVT
'15 Escape SE - 1.6L EcoBoost (hers)
Image Image
jwalcik
Posts: 1008
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 2:43 am

Re: Bumper bender. (Atomic)

Post by jwalcik »

oh man, that's no good at all. glad to hear you're not too banged up, and i wish the best for the passenger from the envoy.how fast was the minivan going to push the envoy around?
2005 vibe gt
User avatar
joatmon
Posts: 10174
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2003 5:19 am
Location: Room 101

Re: Bumper bender. (Atomic)

Post by joatmon »

I hope the soreness goes away soon. watch it though, sometimes those traumas linger
Image
Post Reply