To be worried about driving tomorrow after being rear shunted tonight..

[meikyo]

About an hour ago my smallish car was shunted from behind. I was driving home from a large shopping mall..traffic was busy, so going about 15 mph, slowing toward a mini roundabout. Felt an almighty bang. My DD (11) was in front passenger seat.
Got out, took photos etc and exchanged details with driver. He admitted full responsibility -said he had slipped his feet on pedals and hit accelerator not brake.
Called police and were told to move cars as no-one seemed injured.
Drove home (shakily) with DD in tears. Both of us in a bit of shock.
At home, checked lights, boot closure etc. Lights all working and boot shits but with a clunk rather than its usual click.. My rear bumper is damaged and bit of the other car bumper is sticking out of my foglight.
I am supposed to be driving an hour or so over rural hilly fast roads tomorrow afternoon to meet up with family for Christmas house party. High winds forecast and making me nervous. Also got a sore back and neck since shunt. Will need to call my insurer in morning as helpline closed at 8. Any advice welcome..

Okay, you can get a hire car tomorrow if needed so it's not a disaster. The main thing is to check if your car is safe. I'd guess it's ok as long as you get it repaired soon. You may find the accident repair shop find more damage than you expect.

Your exhaust could be affected by this sort of bump.

Have you properly checked your bumper, looking down as well as all around? If you have a light on the bumper for when opening the boot, does it work? Are there cracks on the top part around the lights on the bumper? You need to be sure your bumper is up to protecting you in the event of another bump, so give it a shoogle and check its not about to fall off.

Also, since its a non-fault accident you can deal direct with the other driver's insurance company. Still inform your own insurance company, but as long as the other company admit it's their responsibility they'll give you a hire car and full coverage - no excesses apply. They want you to deal direct rather than you going through an accident management firm, who'll charge professional fees that could be thousands, so the other driver's insurance company will be very nice to you.

Also take painkillers e.g. ibuprofen or paracetamol for any muscle aches. A hot bath or water bottle should help.

Thanks Shoom..
calmed down a bit now...now how this evening was planned but no one hurt that's the most important thing.

Wait until tomorrow to decide if you're going as whiplash can take a while to develop.
Glad it wasn't worse & hope the cost of repair to you is minimal.

Can you get a cab OP? Or a relative to pick you up? You may be in even more pain tomorrow, when I was shunted I thought i got away with just a bad headache until the next day- I woke up and my back and neck were completely thrown out. If you are in pain already, not good at all.

Have a hot bath tonight and take some pain killers.

I've had 2 rear shunts and both times, although the bumper didn't look too bad, they've completely replaced it. I was told the integrity of the bumper was compromised and may not do it's job if involved in another accident.

Cab not an option..its a 55 mile each way trip into Argyll. DP is already there with DSCs and PILs. I'll see how I feel by mid day tomorrow. Was coming back on 25th to pick up DD from her dad and drive us both back. Not sure if I fancy doing the trip 3 times in 24 hours now. DP family do a special Christmas Eve thing hence me going tomorrow.

What about public transport OP? Trains?

Yes, see how you feel tomorrow. Hopefully the insurers are open around 8am so you can get the repairs and a hire car or anything else in progress.

I know the roads you would be using. If you don't feel up to the drive then you could ask the other driver's insurer what they can do to help. You never know!

I agree, wait and see how you feel tomorrow and get the car checked over before you make a decision. What a pita and op. x

I've been back ended at least 5 times. I always jump out, take pics and then drive straight to a local body shop to get a quote for the work.

Even a small bump can be costly. My last one was a daft person who was texting as I watched her in my mirror, whilst I thought 'look up, look up, see my brake lights pleeeeeese'! She hit me. There wasn't much to see on the surface, but underneath the bumper all the clips were broken.

Oh poor you. Being involved in any accident is horrible.

This may sound weird but you may find that your neck and back ache is due to stress rather than a physical injury.

When I was involved in a shunt I ached like mad but within a few days the discomfort had gone. I believe it was because I was feeling so tense. All my muscles had tensed up during and after the accident due to stress. Have a nice warm, relaxing bath if you can and get a decent night's sleep. That will help.

Definitely get your car checked before you drive anywhere, especially in the current weather conditions.

Take care.

Thanks all for responses. Have contacted my insurer and am currently awaiting a call re a replacement car as mine is not ok to drive - there is a 2 foot bit of the other car's bumper sticking out of my fog light and it is stuck fast.
DD and I are less shaky this morning but both have back and neck pain. I have contacted PILs and told them we will arrive tomorrow not this afternoon as planned. Merry Christmas all and thanks for your support.

Hope you are both feeling better soon. It's horrible when it happens, and it seems to happen a lot. And it's not my driving, it can't be me when I'm sitting at a red light and someone goes in to the back.

Anyway back to you both, have a nice quiet day and do something just the two of you like nails and a DVD and have a good day, in fact have a great day.