Highlander Crash - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

organ · 09-08-2011, 12:12 PM

So my wifes Highlander was hit across the front (a teenager blew through a light) and I have a couple of questions for any experts out there.

1. It looks like about $18K for repairs right now (insurance company isn't going to total it out). Its a 2008 limited AWD with about 35K miles and I'm going to be looking at filing a diminished value claim. I'm thinking a repair this size may diminish the value $4K or so, but would like to hear what others think who have experience in this area.

2. The airbags did not deploy. The other vehicle was going about 45mph and I found that odd. The auto shop did mention that they sensors are back from the bumper enough that it might explain things. Now, I'm glad they didn't deploy in this case as they would have done more damage than good...but it does make me wonder...

Here's a picture after it was pushed out of the intersection. Basically the front 5 inches were impacted. I'm actually standing on the door of the honda that hit us, it basically took the side of his car off in the process.

vsansal · 09-08-2011, 01:50 PM

18K for that damage? Isn't that too high? Does your engine need repairs?

Sky1111 · 09-08-2011, 02:02 PM

Is it me or the front subframe looks deformed?

organ · 09-08-2011, 02:05 PM

18K isn't too bad considering. The engine itself is fine (probably), but you'll notice everything in front of the engine is pushed over 5 inches at the bottom, including the subframe/frame-rails which are bent at a 90 degree angle. Those will be replaced completely which pretty much requires disassembly back to the firewall, including engine removal. Engine removal/reinstallation itself runs a couple thousand in labor.

cp44 · 09-08-2011, 02:28 PM

The frame is damaged, I would get the insurance company to total the vehicle and negotiate the pay out.

nogo · 09-08-2011, 02:35 PM

Exactly - frame rail damage usually means a write-off on a uni-body.

In any case, if the initial estimate is 18k I am sure it will increase when the actual work begins.

If the decision is to fix, then make sure the vehicle is taken to the best body shop in your area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cp44

The frame is damaged, I would get the insurance company to total the vehicle and negotiate the pay out.

lets456 · 09-08-2011, 02:48 PM

I feel your pain. Some lady cut in front of me and I have $6000 in damage (no frame or engine damage). Air bags did NOT go off. I am renting a 2010 Camry... I hope they get my Highlander done soon because I feel as though my butt is scraping the road. I have been driving SUV's/Crossovers since 2004 and can not get used to sitting so low...Anyway, I am glad you and your wife are okay. Ultimately that is what matters.

organ · 09-08-2011, 03:12 PM

In a way I wish they'd total it but as with any auto claim it is simply a matter of what is cheapest for the insurance company. If it is cheaper to pay out the current value of the vehicle and sell it for parts then that is what they do. If not, then it gets repaired. You can speak with the adjuster, but there really isn't a "negotiation". I can file a diminished value claim in my state, which is about all I can do.

I can't imagine how an $18K repair, plus $1K in rentals, plus a few thousand in diminished value is going to be least expensive option...but that's what the adjuster decided to do.

CPSDarren · 09-08-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by organ

2. The airbags did not deploy. The other vehicle was going about 45mph and I found that odd. The auto shop did mention that they sensors are back from the bumper enough that it might explain things. Now, I'm glad they didn't deploy in this case as they would have done more damage than good...but it does make me wonder...

If I understand right, the other car was going from side-to-side in front of you as it blew a signal and you struck it in the side (or it sheared your bumper from the side)? If that is the case, it would be your speed that probably would have affected the airbag deployment more than theirs. It looks like they should have deployed, but if you were only going 5-10 mph and there was no substantial front-end frame damage, it's quite possible they would not have deployed. The deceleration of your vehicle may not quite have been enough in the forward direction to trip the sensor.

Just speculating...

MAToyotaSales · 09-08-2011, 05:06 PM

Glad you are okay!! Your car books out at around 30k I think, so if 18k is the estimate than the real number may turn into 25-28k, plus rental, it may end up totalled. Most insurance companies use a 75% rule. If the damage is more than 75% of the value, it's totalled.

As far as diminished value goes....good luck!! Most states don't require those payouts. I know georgia does, maybe virginia too. Ins companies don't factor in diminished value into the risk ratios and therefore do not charge for it in policys. That will mean you are out of luck in most cases. You could sue the driver for it maybe. Very tough to prove the actual number...

Also, the airbags.......they come out to save your life. Sounds like you were not hurt in the accident. The system did not detect that you were moving forward in a way that would require airbags. Airbags tend to deploy "just before you die" as they say. Sounds like your system worked as designed.

AVConsult · 09-08-2011, 05:57 PM

The majority of SRS systems appear to use position and g-force (accelerometers) as the primary determination of when to fire airbags. If you were hit as a t-bone to the door, or 6" deeper towards the engine bay you might have gotten the side airbags deployed.

It looks like the other car swiped the "soft" part of your front end, where the it smashed softer/bendable/sheddable parts on both cars, lowering the g-force below the trigger of the sensors.

fj62 · 09-08-2011, 06:20 PM

You should have more bargining power if you are not at fault.
Insist on new Toyota parts. Don't accept after market parts. Make sure you take the car to an auto body shop you trust. Don't accept insurance company dealers because they may throw in a free rental car. Ask around if you don't have any knowledge of local shops.

Sky1111 · 09-09-2011, 11:51 AM

Is it all possible to get Toyota dealership body shop to assess the damage and provide an estimate? I would definitely push for totaled vehicle. Escalate it to your adjuster's manager if you can.

organ · 09-09-2011, 12:20 PM

The repairs have already begun so my only option is for the diminished value claim. I have started the process, which requires an independent estimate when repairs are complete. I plan to get something from Toyota when I discuss a trade-in with them on a minivan (our rental is a minivan and my wife really likes the sienna now). That's a good idea on the Toyota body shop...I will see if I can have an assessment done by them as the "independent estimate". I'm also required to provide service records, etc. Insurance companies don't want to do diminished value claims, but they will in CO if pressured. The insurance company for both drivers is American Family, not sure if that hurts or helps my case. Oh, I am getting all OEM parts, which is a relief.

My wife was injured but nothing major (fingers crossed), so I've got that mess to deal with as well.

As for the airbags, that makes sense. I've seen them go off in the past for pretty minor impacts and from the sound of it they are much more reasonable now (a very good thing IMO). The impact did push the front end of the car around but it wasn't life threatening of course.