Devastated… rear ended in my brand new week-old 2025 R1S

[s0ysauce]

Man I'm sorry this happened to you. Hopefully the final resolution will make you whole and you don't have any lingering health issues from this. I got spun out on the freeway a few years ago, and I needed to get back surgery. And yes, I did lawyer up.

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[mrose]

So glad you’re okay! Should be a marketing ad for Rivian!
Also glad you cam recorded it! My motion and incident functionally is zero since last jodate ?

 

[Sandman227]

Same thing happened to me in my 2022 R1S. My rear camera video footage is almost identical to yours except I was going a little slower ( 20-25 mph) and the Nissan pickup that hit me did a U-turn and took off. I got the license plate but when I called it in to my insurance company it was registered to a Honda Accord (probably stolen or switched plates). Because the bumper has vicinity radar and other electronics the cost for replacement was about double what a traditional bumper replacement cost. The body work was minimal and because the Rivian uses a composite alloy they try to use filler and bond if it is small. I have since installed a hitch mounted step on the back to act as a first line collision barrier before it might hit the bumper. If you are leaking fluid it might be from the coolant line so your repair might be more extensive than mine, but just take it to a shop that has experience with EV's and Rivians and you should be fine. Insurance covered my repairs and was easy to deal with. Good Luck!

 

[Alice]

I have often worried that drivers behind me, not seeing a brake light, might take longer to realize I was slowing down very quickly just by virtue of taking my foot off the accelerator. Perhaps a new valuable feature would be a brake light with significant deceleration???
Hope this is not too painful to get resolved.

 

[wjhdrew]

The brake lights already do go on if you take your foot off the accelerator.

 

[KBabione]

The brake lights already do go on if you take your foot off the accelerator.

You'll actually see the brake lights turn on in the driver display where you see your Rivian in relation to the vehicles around you.

 

[jtmad89]

It’s been a minute but just wanted to update everyone that my Rivian R1S was deemed a total loss. This was what I had hoped for although it’s now 4 months later. Total damage ended up being $55k+ and Progressive finally decided just to total out the vehicle. The only shitty thing is now lease rates are $200 a month hire then what I was paying. I’ve called Rivian and explained my case with no luck so far in having them honor my previous deal.

 

[Magicbus]

It's incredible hour quickly the costs escalate on Hi-Tech cars. The real shame is it took 4 months to declare it totaled.

 

[Paul Hackett]

I was on my way to pick up my son from school yesterday and was stopping with the flow of traffic at an intersection when a Chevy Silverado with a tar kettle trailer slammed in to the back of me(probably going 35+ mph). I had just picked up the rig last Wednesday (166 total miles?) After reading through a lot of these threads I’m concerned about the timing to get this fixed as parts are likely not readily available. There’s also a brown sort of fluid that appears to be leaking from the rear undercarriage of the vehicle and the sensors and hot spot no longer work.

Silver lining is the R1s is built like a tank. Thankfully my pregnant wife and son were not in the vehicle.

Any advice on how to navigate next steps would be greatly appreciated. (I’ve already gotten an attorney)

Attorney from the outset is not extreme. The Insurance company for the at fault driver is unlikely to want to total the vehicle. Consider working through your company who then will subrogate through the at fault company. The reason this is important is your car is toast and Rivian will take for ever to get it repaired leaving you without a car in a month when both insurance companies will no longer want to pay for a rental. Depending on who the at fault company is they may not immediately authorize a rental claiming they are still investigating which is a delay tactic in these circumstance and can encompass issues including coverage determination for their "insured", (he wasn't a valid licensed driver, not a named driver etc.) Best case scenario is they do the math and declare the vehicle a total loss and given it's brand new pay you replacement cost. You should push for total loss, because the diminished value based on the damage. Property settlement is a separate settlement from personal injury and it's unlikely your attorney will get involved with the property settlement, as it's a complete headache and they don't get paid on the property settlement. Read the attorney contract carefully and you'll note they represent you for the personal injury, not the property. Contact your insurance company make sure you have UM/UIM and or UMPD coverage in addition to Collision coverage and set up a claim with them. Best of luck.

 

[Seano]

Thanks Rob. Very much appreciate the kind words. And yes it showed it’s very well built to handle high speed impact!

I can't get over how little the Rivian appeared to move. Hope you are ok and all works out

 

[NY_Rob]

You should push for total loss, because the diminished value based on the damage.

You can't claim "diminished value" on a leased vehicle because you are not the owner of the vehicle. The bank owns it.

 

[jtmad89]

Update: just spoke with Rivian and they are not willing to honor my previous lease deal so unfortunately I will not be purchasing another Rivian due to the cost going up $300 a month for the same configuration I had. While I know they don’t have to do anything, I’m pretty bummed they preached loyalty to me since I’m part of the “Rivian Family” but drug their feet in getting back to me only to tell me they couldn’t do anything. Appreciate all the kind words and support from this community through this complicated process. Good luck and safe driving!

 

[Cycliste]

Buy a used Rivian??

I'm sorry for your loss.

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