To Dagosa (and anyone buying a huge trailer hitch to deter tailgaters):
The big trailer hitch is an interesting idea, and it may work, but puh-leez remove the extender while in a side-to-side or parallel parking area (especially if you have a long vehicle). Two days ago I was in a garage where a huge extended size truck had such a hitch, and its rear end (with the hitch) was sticking out well over a foot beyond the parking spot. This made it challenging for other people to navigate in the small parking garage, it could be dangerous to pedestrians (especailly after dark), and people who don’t see the hitch could impale the front of their car when they parallel park. I am sure you would not want to cause this.
To Muminutah: Glad you came out of all these without any physical damage. This apparently non-random situation is well within the limits of statistical probability, and could be that it has nothing to do with your driving or your car’s mechanical condition, although it wouldn’t hurt to evaluate your driving patterns. I would suggest attending a good professionally-taught driving school, which is an excellent idea anyway (it doesn’t have to be a super expensive racing school – you might talk with some car clubs, local police, or look in the phone directory). I did this 30 years ago with a car club, it was fun, and I still remember the lessons. It might even lower your insurance rates, too.
Or maybe a BIG bumper sticker that says “Hit Me Easy – I’m Transporting Skunks.”