Rear-Ended by an 18 wheeler today...

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

And both the car and I are completely fine... well it was at 5mph :whistle:

I was on 316 slowing down for the traffic lights with the Lawrenceville intersection and I noticed in my rear view mirror the 18 wheeler that had slowed down to rolling pace was getting pretty close... too close for comfort actually and suddenly THUD!

I get a nice nudge in the back. Then I honk the horn just as I get nudged again and the car in front of me moves out the way before I get sandwiched. I genuinely don't think he saw my car from his seat given the size of the bonnet. Regardless, he should have paid better attention to his ****ing surroundings.

Damage done? One tiny pain chip on my rear bumper. I was struggling to find anything wrong, but fortunately the bottom part of the truck's front bumper was a completely vertical flat piece of sheet metal so there wasn't any pressure given off on specific points. I could try and say something about the paint being cracked but that was already there. Got his number and license plate.

So yeah, can anyone else say they've been rear ended by an 18 wheeler?

[Sawyer]

Wow! When I read the title I expected your car to be destroyed. Glad you are your car are ok!

[BFH miata]

wow. Glad he heard your horn!

[metalman]

Same thing happened to my wife on I-85, trucker not paying attention while inching along, never saw the Miata and bumped into it. Trucking company argued about being 'responsible' and in the end did not pay a dime for the damage.

[amaff]

Should've gotten a police report.

[ben91]

Should've gotten a police report.
Definitely. There is a good chance of damage to the bumper, even if the skin doesn't look damaged. The bumper probably deformed (crushed in) with the impact and won't be able to protect you in the event of a second collision.

[metalman]

Yep. Without a police report the trucking company can tell you to **** off.
It doesnt even matter if the driver thinks its his fault or they should pay for it.
The suits at the office will decide if they pay or not and 99.999% of time will not
unless forced.

[amaff]

Yup, w/o a report it's your word against theirs.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Damn man, that sucks! Why didn't you call the police?

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

I didn't call the police because everything looked fine and it seemed excessive, especially as I wanted to get home. I'll have a proper look behind the bumper later and check things out. I dunno, I suppose I've always thought to call the police if something important happens rather than wasting their time over a couple of scratches. In hindsight I can see why the need for documentation is important.

[MoD_Scotty]

My wife's former step dad actually destroyed a BMW Z3 because he came up too close behind it in his 18-wheeler and forgot it was there. He just kept trying to go forward and crushed the whole back half of the car. Quite the genius.

[thx712517]

I had a fellow demolish the front end of his Datsun pickup on the trailer hitch of the parts truck not too long ago. Chewed up the parts truck's bumper pad, but V-ed the front end of his truck. Getting the cops involved sucks to be sure, but in this lawsuit-happy country of ours, having the papers could be nice. You're lucky not to have been crushed, and congrats on minimal damage. Over on Miata.net there was a fellow who got sandwiched between two semi trucks at 65 or 70 MPH, dude just barely escaped with his life from that one. I keep thinking if I just lowered the Mazda an inch or so I could slide right underneath their trailers...

[MeFryRice]

It's always a scary thought once you think about it. Not saying this to Jack but in general, we always need to pay attention to what is going on around us at all times. I especially watch my rear-view mirror at any stop I come to just to make sure the dumbass behind me is paying attention.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Oh I saw him coming, I just couldn't believe that he wasn't actually gonna stop. I had my suspicions of him for quite a while.

[redrumracer]

yea i would have deff got a police report, cause see most truck companies WANT to settle out of court even if it is your fault so its an easy way to make money. i know this from family experiences.