[jumpnjax]

Was waiting to merge into traffic on freeway off-ramp when hit from behind. Not a high speed collision but my 2016 Volt suffered damage to the rear bumper, crumpled license plate and skewed back-up camera/sensors - they still work but I can actually see my license plate in back-up mode. It seemed to drive fine, but I didn't push it and brought car home to rest from the trauma His Volkswagen Golf was in bad shape with airbags deployed, broken radiator and had to be towed.

Other driver at fault so I hope everything will be covered by his insurance (we actually have policies with the same company) I'm concerned that perhaps repair work on a Volt is different enough that I don't want insurance company to choose and I should not use my preferred body shop but instead find someone who has worked on Volt repairs. Dealership? Any advice is welcomed.

 

[Milenkod]

I was R/E'ed in July on my 2017...only had it for 3 months before and F250 towing a trailer; couldn't stop in time when we came upon traffic...prob about 45 mph. About $12k in damages.
Here in CA the rules are a bit different. You can take to to whichever shop you want... looked for as many star ratings as I could find on Yelp and wanted to see EV car repair photos in thier Yelp stream in hopes they know what they are doing. The only caveat is if you do take it to a "preferred" shop, the estimate is done right on the spot and no need to wait for the claims adjuster. Also, I think there is some advantage to using OEM parts or something if you fall into that criteria. The repair was great...can't tell and the Volt was ever in an accident. It was also within the time span of a "new car" so Allstate replaces with only new parts.

Post repair, I had the hatchback struts fail soon after I received delivery from the shop and the Blind-spot detectors often went off-line with a warning about them on the info cluster. Both were repaired by my Chevy dealer under warranty...but those sensors are sensitive but I think they were damaged. I can't blame the shop...there's no way to test that sensor.

Nonetheless the Volt has been great ever since...like nothing happened. It still tracks straight on the freeway and drives like it should.

 

[JRRF]

OEM parts is usually something you pay for as a rider on your insurance policy. If you don't have that, they may only cover the cost of generic parts. Hope it works out.

 

[TSquare]

The other guy's paying. Take it to the biggest Chevy dealer in the area that has it's own body shop. Don't let the insurance company dictate where it can be repaired.

 

[Steverino]

Were your brake lights on when you were rear-ended?

 

[jeff_h]

Was waiting to merge into traffic on freeway off-ramp when hit from behind. Not a high speed collision but my 2016 Volt suffered damage to the rear bumper, crumpled license plate and skewed back-up camera/sensors - they still work but I can actually see my license plate in back-up mode. It seemed to drive fine, but I didn't push it and brought car home to rest from the trauma His Volkswagen Golf was in bad shape with airbags deployed, broken radiator and had to be towed.

Other driver at fault so I hope everything will be covered by his insurance (we actually have policies with the same company) I'm concerned that perhaps repair work on a Volt is different enough that I don't want insurance company to choose and I should not use my preferred body shop but instead find someone who has worked on Volt repairs. Dealership? Any advice is welcomed.

I guess it wasn't a good day for the 2016 Volts - today my wife was rear-ended at a stop light, only minor damage but still a PITA.

 

[Steverino]

I guess it wasn't a good day for the 2016 Volts - today my wife was rear-ended at a stop light, only minor damage but still a PITA.

Same question, were your brakes on?

 

[Mister Dave]

My dealer, insurance company and I all agree on the preferred body shop. So my advice is tainted, but go with the one you trust already.

Full disclosure: My Volt has never been there.

 

[JohnManyJars]

We hit a deer this past October in our 4 weeks old 2017 Premier. Can't remember the exact cost of repair but it was between $12,000 and $14,000.

The good news is that (unless things have changed) all of your replacement parts will probably be OEM. According to our repair shop, the gen 2s haven't been around long enough or sold in sufficient numbers for aftermarket parts to hit the market.

The bad news is that because this is a fairly new model, it may take longer for the repair shop to get all the parts they need to fix your car. I think for us, it added a week or two to our repair.

Regarding the actual repair, our shop told us if they felt part of the repair was beyond their capability, they'd send the car to the dealership.

 

[Karyllynne]

Insurance claims rep here — you always have the right to have repairs done at an shop of your choice. The insurance company may have some they partner with or suggest, but it’s your choice. I’m not sure where the tipping point it, but I know that up to a certain point using new OEM parts is industry standard. Don’t forget to ask about diminished value, too!

(My 2018 Volt is a month old, and I am absolutely paranoid about other cars around me still!)

 

[jeff_h]

Same question, were your brakes on?

Yes, my wife was driving and had just stopped at the light and the young driver behind her was not able to stop in time.

 

[jumpnjax]

Brakes on, foot was on the brake when I was hit. I had stopped, eased up slowly, then stopped again. He was either not paying attention or was way too close given the damage to his car. It was not a minor fender-bender.

 

[Steverino]

Yes, my wife was driving and had just stopped at the light and the young driver behind her was not able to stop in time.

Brakes on, foot was on the brake when I was hit. I had stopped, eased up slowly, then stopped again. He was either not paying attention or was way too close given the damage to his car. It was not a minor fender-bender.

So, in both cases, brake lights were on. In both cases, the rear-ending happened regardless of brake lights being on.

From time to time there are posts here from people regarding when brake lights ahould come on due to Low/regen. Many claim it's unsafe for an EV to use regen without turning on the brake lights. Yet, in every case reported here (these two are just the latest), the car was rear-ended with brake lights on. Brake lights may make you feel safer, but you are not safer.

Indeed, stats show the majority of rear ended cars were stopped, brake lights on and either at a light or making a turn. Being rear-ended while in motion is very rare in comparison. Rear end accidents are caused by inattentive drivers not looking at what's in front of them. I'm sure there are also some caused by a driver losing control of their car, or an equipment malfunction. Brake lights don't help there either.

 

[jeff_h]

Indeed, stats show the majority of rear ended cars were stopped, brake lights on and either at a light or making a turn. Being rear-ended while in motion is very rare in comparison. Rear end accidents are caused by inattentive drivers not looking at what's in front of them. I'm sure there are also some caused by a driver losing control of their car, or an equipment malfunction. Brake lights don't help there either.

Bingo - driver that hit my wife was age 20 and admitted to her that he was following too closely and was going too fast and just couldn't stop in time. Our town is full of rivers who tailgate and seemingly race from one stop light to another, but sadly I think that's become pretty common in many cities and towns. Estimate is in, is just over $1,800 - work will be done once the parts come in, should be this week.

 

[Monzsta]

For some reason, of all the vehicles I've owned, the Volt seems to really pull in the tailgaters. I'm not sure what it is, but people love to ride that bumper.

 

[CatsAreGods]

We only ended up with newer cars because some 20-something was texting and plowed into my wife while she was stopped for a school bus. Thank you State Farm!

 

[Upper5Percent]

So, in both cases, brake lights were on. In both cases, the rear-ending happened regardless of brake lights being on.

From time to time there are posts here from people regarding when brake lights ahould come on due to Low/regen. Many claim it's unsafe for an EV to use regen without turning on the brake lights. Yet, in every case reported here (these two are just the latest), the car was rear-ended with brake lights on. Brake lights may make you feel safer, but you are not safer.

Indeed, stats show the majority of rear ended cars were stopped, brake lights on and either at a light or making a turn. Being rear-ended while in motion is very rare in comparison. Rear end accidents are caused by inattentive drivers not looking at what's in front of them. I'm sure there are also some caused by a driver losing control of their car, or an equipment malfunction. Brake lights don't help there either.

Not surprised...people plow into apparatus with all engine's emergency lights flashing while on scene of a previous accident...

Story here:
http://www.firehouse.com/news/10710829/driver-hits-calif-fire-engine-protecting-crash-scene

People also rear end school buses picking up students with all their stop lights indicating...

Story here:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novasc...ured-following-bus-crash-in-south-williamston
in this case, a SECOND driver decided to hit the FIRST car that HAD ALREADY hit the bus

 

[JRRF]

For some reason, of all the vehicles I've owned, the Volt seems to really pull in the tailgaters. I'm not sure what it is, but people love to ride that bumper.

Frankly I feel invisible in this car. Maybe it's just more people not paying attention, but I need to drive even more defensively to keep from getting hit.

 

[snic]

For some reason, of all the vehicles I've owned, the Volt seems to really pull in the tailgaters. I'm not sure what it is, but people love to ride that bumper.

Generally, stupid behavior is caused by ignorance. I think people see an electric car and think "golf cart." So they get right up close to intimidate you, a putative slowpoke, into getting out of the way.

As for people running into objects with their cars despite the absence of brake lights on most objects, here's another recent example:

 

[fishhawk]

I can certainly agree that the Volt seems to attract tailgaters, especially trucks. I lost count of how many times a pickup or dually truck followed me so closely all I could see was the grille. A tap on the brakes or slowing way down will usually remedy the situation, but I had one idiot so filled with road rage that he passed me and slammed on his brakes. Mind you, I was going the speed limit, but that didn't seem to matter.

The old saying "drive defensively" is good advice.