+1 - what does "release of liability from 2018" mean, and how does that excuse the other driver? As far as I know, hit-and-run is a criminal offense everywhere. You got the license plate, which means you can get the guy, right?

I'm glad you're ok, but being spun around from an impact like that quite possibly could have resulted in injuries you're not aware of at the moment. The other driver is responsible for those. I would at least get checked out by your doctor.

I'm not sure where OP is from, but in California, when you sell a car it is the buyers responsibility to file the paperwork to change the registration. Until they do that, the car is still registered to you. To avoid the seller from running into problems down the road should the buyer fail to properly file the paperwork, the seller can file a release of liability which indicates they have sold the car and are no longer liable for anything which may happen with it. The car is then no longer registered to them. For those of you who are confused by why this is necessary, it is important to know that in California, plates are associated with a specific vehicle, not with a specific driver.

I see. Wasn't aware of that. Might even be that way here in Ohio, as I've never been in a situation where that would have been a concern. So in this case, the current owner could still be identified by following the paper trail, right?

At least you lived to talk about it. Sorry to see that. Degenerates are rampant on the roads, but be thankful that rear quarter panel wasn't damaged because that repair is the killer. You can and will be able to find a new rear end so I wouldn't even try salvaging that. Could be bent but hard to identify. Rear ends are cheap enough to avoid that headache.

It would depend. Since it is the buyer's responsibility to file the paperwork for the change of ownership and clearly they failed to do so (Possibly to avoid paying sales tax if the OP is is California or a state with similar laws where the buyer pays sales tax at time of registration), that would mean that the state has no information as to who owns the vehicle. Theoretically, if the previous registered owner has copies of the bill of sale etc., and the information on them isn't bogus, it would be possible to find out at least who the car was sold to. But since it was never registered to that person, and there is no way of knowing if they actually still have it (They could very easily just dump it now and it would be impossible to prove they had done anything beyond failing to register the vehicle), or that they were the driver at the time of the hit and run. It would be a lot of work with little likelihood of anything actionable coming from it. I'm sure the cops aren't interested in taking it on. For something worth more than a 3rd gen 4runner, I suppose the insurance company might decide it was worth it to see what they could find out to try and sue someone to cover their losses, but there's no way a car with such a low value would be worth that to them.

That is most definitely totaled in the eyes of insurance.

You'll need to check the frame very carefully to make sure it is straight (or at least, fixable) and then decide if you are going to buy it back and fix it. You will need to fight HARD for a fair payout on a 106k mile 4Runner if it was in good shape...

-Charlie

Glad you are ok, that is more important. Take the insurance money and buy another one.

@boatlee I have to say, you can ABSOLUTELY have this 4R repaired and back on the road. It may take some time depending on who and where you take it to for repairs, how you go about acquiring the needed parts to replace, budget and ultimately what kind of route you want to take with it. This is also a good opportunity to start a build, if that's something you're also interested in.

And to be honest, almost 3 years ago, (in about two days from now) my 4Runner was totaled by some jackwad in a hit-and-run as well and left my rig looking almost identical to the way yours does right now! I can even attach some pictures for reference if you'd like.

I won't bother making this a short post because I think this is my opportunity to give you the encouragement you need regarding this matter given that the same exact thing happened to me. My situation was a lot different three years ago than it is now, but I'm very thankful that I was able to have my 4Runner recover from the situation.

Around 10:30 P.M. on July 31st, 2017, my T4R was parked in front of my house. I woke up to my neighbors banging on my bedroom window and screaming. I ran to the door to find my 4Runner had been involved in a hit-and-run. I was fortunate enough to have a neighbor at the time with a home security system and had caught the whole thing on video footage. Contacted police, myself and responding unit went to my neighbor's house to review the footage. Obtained a good description of the vehicle, but the plate was not visible, nor was the driver. There was a long green paint smear across the entire side of my rig since he sideswiped it. Turns out it was a work truck with a wooden green bed.

I literally find the guy in my neighborhood a few blocks around the corner 3 weeks later. I take pictures of the vehicle and sent them to the responding officer. He did nothing with them. Never sought out any warrants. There was plenty of probable cause developed at that point. I find out the guys name about a month after that, because he was involved in ANOTHER crash on a main road and someone told me they saw him. So naturally I went to the scene and was able to speak to the victim and obtain his info before that officer told me to get lost.

Long story short, I know who he is, his listed address and so on. I provided the PD with that info, but again, nothing was done about it. Never followed up with it. That was the end of that.

Insurance company totals it out for like 2K something if I recall. I buy it back. Had a very good friend at the time who knew somebody that does body and paint work. Took me a few months to acquire the needed parts, but I got them. Had to travel out of state twice for some parts, but I was damn well determined, that's how much I love my 4R, and I'm sure you do as well. Had them painted, installed, and to this day I still drive said 4Runner.

I am SORRY for the freaking novel I just wrote. But let this be a testament to the fact that you CAN and SHOULD (God willing) have it fixed up and back on the road. You will thank yourself in the long run and you'll have an incredible story to tell others, too. Don't open the door to looking back and regretting not doing it (again, as long as your situation allows).

See the attached

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I plan on keeping it. Hopefully insurance looks at the current buyers market and how high the value is

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Yeah it has the factory locker. Which makes my rig even more rare.

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Sacramento. I'm hoping the housing isn't bent. He hit the slider and slid into the wheel. Hoping the axle is just broke. You guys are awesome!

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Yes thank you I am from California

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You are awesome! Thanks for the reassuring story. Yeah I plan on buying it back. Hope to get fair market value. I do plan on buying it back.

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Thanks for the kind words. I hope it helped at least some. If you have any question about how the process was for me from start to finish, please don't hesitate to ask me. I would love to be of greater assistance to you if I can. You can reach me on here, or on Instagram, which is in my signature.