Brake Issue

[risiwh]

I am new here but need some advise. Not even sure if I posted this in the right forum. My Fiance was rear-ended yesterday on the freeway while traveling approx 60 mph. the only visible damage was a broken tail light (the little lights under the rear bumper) lens, not even any paint damage or scrapes on the rear bumber.

Starting yesterday afternoon however, the brakes are now failing. The failure is a hard brake pedal, exactly as if the car engine was off. The car is now unsafe to drive since you can not stop it. So two questions:

1. What will cause a hard brake pedal.
2. Could this freeway accident have caused this problem?

[CREWZIN]

Rear ended while doing 60 What the heck was the other car doing? Anyway, was a police report made? Do you have the other drivers information?

Sounds like you were hit harder, more damage done than you realize. Something could have gotten bent or shaken loose for the brake trouble to start right after the crash. See if you can get it to a brake shop to check it out. Most shops will inspect the car for free hoping to sell you parts. If it really is too dangerous to drove, you might have to have it towed.

Back to the crash. If you do have all the information from the other driver. Report it to your insurance company and tell them your having problems that are probably related to the crash.

[heifetz17]

Don't report it to your insurance company if you have the other driver's information. Start a claim with his insurance company. They're required by law to start a claim even if he hasn't reported it yet.

While it's extremely unlikely that the brake issue is related to the accident, I'd still have the system inspected to see what's wrong. A firm brake pedal doesn't make the car unsafe to drive. The brakes are a hydraulic system, and unless all of the fluid leaked out somewhere, it's fine to drive. You just won't have power brakes and will have to exert a lot more force on the brake pedal.

Drive around your block a couple times to see if this is the case, and if so, drive to a tire store to have the brakes checked. Brake failures do occur, though, so just go up your street to check your brakes before actually driving.

[CREWZIN]

Well, maybe. If your in a no-fault state like Florida, both parties are required to report the crash (we call them crashes, not accidents in my county) to their own insurance company. Any damage done is paid for by your own company and then they go after the party at fault.

That's why you should always have a report made if there's any kind of damage with fault outlined in the report. I handle the reports almost everyday I'm out.

[heifetz17]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

Well, maybe. If your in a no-fault state like Florida, both parties are required to report the crash (we call them crashes, not accidents in my county) to their own insurance company. Any damage done is paid for by your own company and then they go after the party at fault.

That's why you should always have a report made if there's any kind of damage with fault outlined in the report. I handle the reports almost everyday I'm out.

You're quite right. Montana is an at-fault state so I always overlook the no-fault states!