rear-ended and broad-sided

[Manelj]

Hi everybody,
I'd like to know whether the terms rear-ended and broad-sided are actually used in everyday English to refer to types of vehicle accidents.

I recently used them in a conversation with these friends of mine from the UK and Australia. The moment I said, "Yesterday I got rear-ended on the hihgway", they cracked up. They told me that they would never say it that way, and that I should avoid it altogether too.
I'm sure I've heard/read it sometime. Could it be a dialectical connotation?
Should I continue using them at all?
Thanks a lot

[Beeesneees]

I;d use it.
I think your friend was probably being a little rude-minded.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Manelj]

Thanks a lot, Beeesneees.
I saw your reply right the next day after posting it, but I just realised I hadn't thanked you. Sort of rude of me.