Driver's Installing Trailer Hitch to (Protect or) Inflict More Damage

[bembol]

This came up at work today, my co-worker wants to install a Trailer Hitch.

He claims to Protect the Bumper but I called him out telling him he just wants to Inflict more damage to the other driver.

I've seen too many on the Roads, I'm not sure if that's their intent but I find it sick/twisted if it is. Are you really protecting your Car/Rear Bumper? At the end, Accidents do happen and Insurance will take care of the damages.

[spf1971]

Actually any additional damage caused by a trailer hitch is considered the fault of the vehicle with the hitch. If you were to be rear-ended the second driver is at fault but if they can prove that additional damage is caused by a hitch extending beyond the first vehicle, the first driver would have to pay for the extra damage. I don't know how hard it would be to prove that additional damage was caused by the hitch, but it's something to keep in mind. That's why you should always remove your hitch when not towing a trailer.

[johnboy]

I also want to add that front end license plates are useless, and body shops are the only ones happy about it.

I was rear ended recently and if it wasn't for the front end license plate, my bumper would have suffered no damage. At least not enough for me to bother filing a claim against driver at fault. Cost of repair and rental around $1k.