[cooGy]

Well guys and gals, after the loooong wait of more than 8 weeks to get the truck, now I'm going to be waiting a loooong time again to get it back or get a new one.

Just got rear ended by a drunk driver while stopped at a stop light. My rear end is pretty messed up, and I believe the rear axle is bent. Definite frame damage. The tow guy said in his opinion it's not totaled, about 8k-9k damage. I'm hoping it's totaled because I don't want to have all the troubles down the road like alignment issues, etc.

If there's any suggestions that anyone has, please let me know. I've been to plenty of accidents while working, but first accident I've ever been involved in.

 

[82Toyota]

Did the air bags go off?

 

[Jamco6000]

glad your not hurt. if the axle is bent then chances are there is some hidden dammage some where. it all depends what the body shop charges

 

[05speederblue]

that sucks every one ok

 

[MDTRD]

Sounds like you'll be a little stiff but sounds like you're ok for the most part. Take it to the dealer. With their high prices, it just may be totaled, plus you'll be getting genuine Toyota parts.

 

[HoosierTacoma08]

Glad your ok, sorry about your truck.

Jared

 

[cooGy]

Did the air bags go off?

Nope, no airbags since it was a rear end collision. I don't remember if the seat belt tensioners actually activated or whatever, but I'm pretty sure it did since I didn't hit anything except my knee hit the dash a little.


Right now the truck is at the tow company's lot, but I'm going to see if they can bring it to the dealership tomorrow.

I just can't believe this happened. The same exact thing happened yesterday in my town, except 2 people died, plus 2 puppies :sosad:.

On a brighter note though, our trucks are AWESOME. The Nissan Frontier that rear ended me was f***ed up. BAD front end damage. But mine isn't so bad.

 

[toku58]

For the truck to be claimed as totaled? The repairs would need to cost more than the truck is worth. Since it is NEW I really doubt they will Total it.

There would need to be Major Frame damage.

Sorry I know it's not what you want to hear.

 

[6shooter]

any pics of this tragedy?

 

[blackhawke88]

are you going to press charges?

 

[dustin19d]

For the truck to be claimed as totaled? The repairs would need to cost more than the truck is worth. Since it is NEW I really doubt they will Total it.

There would need to be Major Frame damage.

Depends on the insurance company. My 04 had $17,000 worth of damage with no frame damage.
Geico gave me a check for $23,500 with a have a nice day.

 

[toku58]

Depends on the insurance company. My 04 had $17,000 worth of damage with no frame damage.
Geico gave me a check for $23,500 with a have a nice day.

Wow! That's amazing!
I worked as an autobody repairman/painter for 7 yrs. after high school. Most insurance companies will take the cheapest way out.

I can't see why they would pay you $6500 more than they needed to? It doesn't make good business sense?

I guess that was an exception. I'm sure it's not the norm. Or maybe GEICO has a percentage scale that they use?

 

[georgekb]

Calling all ins guys

Maybe there is an insurance guy on here who will tell us about this. I have heard of it before and cannot remember exactly what the guy said, but it was something like they will pay for a new vehicle if it is within a year of new and the damage is 75% of the value or something like that.

 

[Wartsnuff]

glad to hear your ok

sorry to hear about the truck!

hope it written off. i would also hate to have a truck that bent handed back to me.

cheers
Warts

 

[Rubaslippah]

Wow! That's amazing!
I worked as an autobody repairman/painter for 7 yrs. after high school. Most insurance companies will take the cheapest way out.

I can't see why they would pay you $6500 more than they needed to? It doesn't make good business sense?

I guess that was an exception. I'm sure it's not the norm. Or maybe GEICO has a percentage scale that they use?

I think they can make up some of that difference by auctioning off what's left of the car.

 

[steviestyles]

Glad to hear you are ok....The thing that sucks the most for you is if they choose to fix your truck, your truck will have an accident record which will affect your overall re-sale value. Hopefully the a-hole that rearended you insurance company compensates you financially for that. It's going to suck for you when and if you decided to sell your truck down the road. If it were me, I'd press his insurance company to payoff your truck, and get you in a new one.

 

[NOhara24]

I assume this happened yesterday? on super bowl sunday? the worst night for drunk drivers? With all the drunks out last night be glad youre not dead. But, you may get a shiny new truck. My advice for you in a rear end collision is to get a BIG TRAILER HITCH.:clap:

 

[dustin19d]

I think they can make up some of that difference by auctioning off what's left of the car.

Yes Toku The adjuster said something about a percentage of the vehicle value, and also that it would go to auction. It was 1 1/2 years old.

 

[cooGy]

Thanks for everyone's input. Definitely thankful no injuries. Went to the Toyota dealership licensed shop and they said it's definitely not totaled. The frame's crumple zone is crushed in, but he said it would pull right out.

Here it is:

I was almost at tears just looking at the truck, seeing it the way it is now :sosad:. But extremely thankful no one was hurt. Everything happens for a reason is the way I look at things.


For all the lawyers out there, is there anyway that I can sue for retributions to get the difference that it would cost from selling the truck after it is fixed and to get a new truck? I don't want to be driving around in a problem vehicle and have the thought in the back of my mind that it has frame damage and is not as strong as before.

Thanks for any help

 

[dorkman]

Make sure you have them take the bed off to do their final estimate of repairs. When I was rear ended the frame was bent where the trailer hitch bolts on, they wanted to replace the entire frame and give the truck back to me, have them check the frame where the hitch bolts on, tell them you tow the full payload and ask if it will be safe to tow still after the frame repairs.

If it's even close to a total loss, i.e. 2-3k, get a 3rd independant estimate, my insurance adjuster was overlooking soooo much in repairs that after I called him on his oversights he totalled the truck.

If you get it fixed let me know, I have a Diminished Value report I paid for that could be easily be edited for you, it will save you some money.

Any questions just send me a PM.