Doesn't make any difference in this case; she was rear-ended, so it was totally outside of her control regardless of whether or not she was on the phone. Besides, if your insurance denies a claim because you were on the phone - you need to start looking for a new insurance provider pronto! They can't deny your claim unless 1.) Talking on the phone while driving is against the law in your State, or 2.) There is a clause in the policy that prohibits you from talking on the phone while driving.

Glad your wife is OK, doc. It's amazing how well these cars take the damage. I was rear-ended pretty hard (by a Kia) in my wife's old E46 Coupe and while the Kia looked like it was totaled, the Coupe barely showed any damage at all. I also walked away from it without a single bruise.

Hey Doc glad to hear the wife is well. Aftera few days when the head is clear take some pictures of the damage. Look in the trunk and under your vehicle for other damage and as someone else has said don't offer information that is not requested. (Talking on a cell phone) Don't lie about it though because that could make it worse. If the wifes phone is bluetooth compatible this might be a good time to invest in an earpiece. Again glad to hear shes fine.

Thanks, everyone for the kind words.

Her MB has integrated cell phone, ie, she was on the speakerphone with me. No one has asked, anyway.

We dropped the car off at the body shop today. The guy there immediately noted a wrinkle in the sheet metal in one rear quarter panel, as well as what I had seen. I suspect this is only the beginning of the findings.

Glad she is OK...while back the in laws got hit in an 2003 E320 with less than 7K on it and they only got pushed about 3 meters, not 20. It got fixed and traded on a new E320 Sport, end of story...20m is a huge impact and if the sheetmetal is torqued you got a lot going on there.

Doc,
Glad to read yourCEO is ok.
No advice on the rear end job.
GL,mD

I agree. In Melbourne I know of a guy who has a BMW jig/frame whatever that measures your chassis to the same tolerances as BMW. Cost a motza from Germany but he does well out of cars that get superficially repaired and then he checks them.

He finds that most repairers/insurance companies do the minimum, but apparently if the car is not fixed properly you get to call the shots.

It all depends on the speed and force of the hit but I would certainly get it checked.......

it wasnt me and you can not use a cell phone while driving in NJ....you shouldnt use a cell phone while driving anywhere.

Just got the list of projected repairs from the body shop, approved by the insurance company.

Total: ~$4400 USD

Besides the rear bumper replacement I saw, they found need for new mufflers, and repair of right rear quarter panel, along with various blending of paint, etc.

Parts ordered, at least two weeks before it is done.

Oh well, so far everyone involved (cops, insurance company, body shop, etc) have been as polite and helpful as could be desired.

That's good to hear...

I saw this a little late. Glad to hear your wife's okay, doc.

LVR brings up a good point - your car should be put on a jig (chassis straightener system) and checked for damage. If the impact is severe enough to damage the crash bumpers or the bumper shock absorbers, it should be checked as standard procedure.