[Stratous]

Sorry, I didn't read everything, just the first few posts.

I work at a body shop, a top name one at that.

Getting a check based on the insurance company's estimate is normal...It's a rock bottom price for people that just want to cash out. You bring the car and check, to a top name body shop, no ma and pop shops for insurance work. Pick up your free rental, provided to you by who ever hit you. And let the shop do the rest.

The shop will replace the tail light, repair the quarter panel with dent pullers and bondo (proper bondo is better than replacement), and blend the rear door for color match. I would ball park price in my head around $12-1300, and four days. Purples are hard...Check the color match from the quarter to the rear bumper before accepting...it may need to be blended as well. Blending a bumper is not normal, but sometimes needs to be done.

Unless you don't care about rust, get the car fixed right while someone is willing to pay for it.

No, PDR is not an option in your case. PDR only works on dents like hail, small and blemish free.