05 4Runner vs Drunk/High Driver...

[mandercruso]

I was in a head on collision with a drunk/high driver last night. I was going down a road about 50mph and this idiot pulls out of his driveway the opposite direction, comes completely in my lane and without any time to react... BOOM! Not only was the driver and passenger wasted but there was no insurance on their vehicle and neither had a license. The driver ran back to his house to dispose of his drugs. Both had previously been arrested for a GHB lab and were arrested last night on numerous charges.

Now for the pictures:

When they pulled the vehicles apart it appeared that my frame was bent. The car is basically brand new, purchased it in late June. It has 9500 miles on it. I'm hoping it will be totalled but it's not looking very likely.

Do you think it will be totalled?

I have the worst luck... if I'm going to get hit by a drunk driver, why can't it be a doctor or someone that has a pot to piss in. These guys haven't had electricity or sewage in their house for 1.5 years! That's just disgusting!

I'm so proud of my 4Runner because it held it's own. I was not driving my vehicle at the time luckily because my first instinct would have been to swerve into the ditch. Neither I or the driver was injured though our necks and backs are terribly sore. The airbags came out and hit the driver but my airbag didn't touch me. The seatbelts held us back firmly. I'm just glad we were in a 4Runner and not in a car.

~Amanda

 

[crashtd]

bent frame? i'd say totalled.

i'm curious what your insurance company said about it, do you have coverage for uninsured motorists?

-uncle crash

 

[mogrefy]

Wow...

Wow... good to hear you're okay.

You can just tell from the car alone that that person is a "winner".

 

[chunderboy]

glad you and the passenger are ok. That is the most important thing. Secondly, your car looks totaled. And as for the other driver...... who gives a isht

 

[mandercruso]

bent frame? i'd say totalled.

i'm curious what your insurance company said about it, do you have coverage for uninsured motorists?

-uncle crash

I called the insurance emergency line last night and filed my report. I'll call my agent tomorrow. I have coverage for uninsured motorists but I'm not sure of all the specs. I'm sure I'll have to pay a deductible which is $1000. I'm just hoping my insurance doesn't go up because of this. argh :bash:

 

[chunderboy]

Not to sound like a dick or anything, but your insurance will for sure go up

 

[LSUMBA]

Did this happen in BR? If so, what part?

I had a friend of mine nearly get killed by a tweaked out driver on O'Neal Lane last year.

Glad you are OK & so sorry to see the damage to your new truck.

 

[AlexJet]

Sorry for your truck. Good news that your are OK.

 

[Bluto]

Wow. Glad you and you passenger are OK. Your truck is so clean. I can't imagine what it is like to be in an accident like that. I hope you and your passenger feel better.


Don't worry, it will be totaled. All the damage + air bags it a lot.


Insurance will be the easy part. You'll probably have a check in no time. Dealing with court and criminals is a pain. Subpoenas, trials, postponements, appeals, etc.

 

[kimboy]

Sorry to hear of your accident. At least you're alive, albiet a little bit sore. You're truck can be replaced. But, it would be tough to replace you. It's a good think you have pics for evidence.

I changed my insurance from USAA to Geico, and 4 days later
I was in an accident (3 days before x-mas) w/ a drunk. His BAC was .23

The drunk plowed a brand new SRX into the drivers side compartment of a 94' corolla before sideswiping me. The driver of the corolla died in the hospital a little bit later that night. Talk about a life changing event.

Did you go through No-Fault? I don't think that insurance would automatically raise your rates, considering you may have not be liable for this punks lifestyle and the accident.

Did the cops write you up for any traffic violations, infractions, speeding...? This will be the first step in defending yourself and the driver from this punk.

 

[Mark86]

Sorry to see what happened to your truck. The pictures definitely show/tell it all. I am glad you and the other person in your truck were not seriously hurt. This really tells a lot about the 4Runner's safety. Was the driver of the other vehicle arrested on the scene? Hopefully you relayed all of this information to the police so they can write it in the report. It will definitely help for insurance purposes.

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

i think all people who get in an accident and don't have insurance should spend 60 days or more in jail. here in san antonio, if you get pulled over for any reason, and you don't have ins. they impound your car on the spot. people need to learn about financial responsibility

 

[chunderboy]

One other thing. Is it me, or in the 3rd pic does it not show how great the crumple zone is on our trucks. Kudos Toyota

 

[LSUMBA]

Amanda's accident appears to have happened in Baton Rouge, LA. Louisiana ranks as one of the #1 states in the US for uninsured motorists. As evidenced for the nation after hurricane Katrina, Louisiana is not exactly a state of wealth & prosperity. In fact, Louisiana probably ranks #1 for apathy & stupidity. Insurance is required for things such as renewing your drivers license, getting your annual break tag (vehicle inspection), etc. The trick that many people use is going in to any insurance company, setting up a minimum coverage policy (10/20/10 in LA), and failing to make any payments at all after they receive the proof of insurance card. This process is repeated as often as necessary. The state has had major reforms over the past 5-10 years to improve this, but they are still not there yet.

My father is an insurance salesman in New Orleans. Needless to say, any evil thing you can think of to say about uninsured individuals, he feels about 100 times as strongly. For the last 4+ months he has been having to explain to people how their insurance does not cover specific things on their home, business, and cars that they elected to opt out of to save a couple bucks.

The moral of the story...carry as much insurance as you can afford, make sure you have uninsured motorist, and never let your policy expire.

 

[alpha]

bummer, sorry to hear about the accident. important thing is that you and the driver are ok.. good luck with it all..

 

[wm69]

If they caught the POS who hit you the judge will more than likely make them pay you whatever your deductible is. I got rammed back in April last year (road rage incident) and the guy had no insurance. My uninsured motorist deductible ($200) was part of the guys plea bargain and I'm supposed to get two checks in Dec and Jan or the guy goes to jail. Given the severity of your accident the guy will probably be in jail for awhile so I wouldn't count on him having a job to pay your deducible back. Hope it works out ok for you but more and more scum are driving around with no insurance and like it or not the ones of us who do pay insurance premiums get to pay for those POS's.

 

[Boaz]

mandercruso,


Look on the bright side.. If they total your ride (I am sure they will!) you can get that 4X4 4-Runner of your dreams!!!

Haha.. Just kidding. I remember giving you a hard time about buying the 2wd model when you first started posting here.

all in fun!

Jake

 

[mandercruso]

I didn't even notice this until just now. Check out picture 6... the Toyota bug shield is still in one piece! AMAZING!

Boaz... I'll be lucky to drive a Corolla when all of this is finished haha... keep dreaming on the 4wd

 

[qs933]

If they caught the POS who hit you the judge will more than likely make them pay you whatever your deductible is.

The court may assess damages against the drunk/high driver, but good luck on collecting. It's very hard to squeeze blood from a turnip.

mandercruso -- good luck and hopefully you'll have an '06 on order soon (and we can all debate the whole "2WD versus 4WD" and "V6 versus V8" thing all over again).

 

[sharp4runr]

Wow, just wow. Sorry that your truck got into a major fender bender but glad that you and your passenger are ok.