4Runner hit by NYC Sanitation truck...need advice

[Silver T4R]

I think I would take it to the dealership and get an estimate before I had the Geico guy look at it. That way you would have something to go by when he's estimating your truck. (I would make sure I was there when the estimate was given)

 

[DEKA3]

How is the door gap at the rear? How about around the top. Open the door an inch and then close it. If the gaps are the same and the door still unlatches, latches, and closes ok then your good.

Driver door cant be opened more than 2 inches...the most. I dont want to bend the metal more than it is. The pillar looks like it got hit (paint got chipped). the rear door looks good

 

[4gin007]

Orange peel is texture in the clear coat, you can see it on darker colors easier than lighter colors. Toyota has a pretty slick factory finish on their vehicles so its important that the paint job on any repair matches the factory, not only with the color but also the clear, a textured (orange peel) clear coat will look terrible beside a clear coat that is slick.

Your door wont open all the way bc its hitting the fender. You really cant do any more damage by opening it up bc both the fender and door are going to need replaced, open it up all the way if you choose. If anything possibly could be damaged by opening it itd be the hinges and in that case insurance will pay for that also. Something that geico might try is to straighten you door shell while replacing the door skin, do not allow that to happen the door needs replaced bc its a 4runner, best suv ever and bc the door is Fd up. Most body techs wont want to do that repair anyways but geico is cheap. Just a heads up thats all.

Geico is going to write a fair estimate to restore the truck to original pre accident condition. Their estimate is going to be the same as anyone elses except their going to use the cheapest parts available.

 

[Rubberdown]

Thing to do is take it to the dealership and get the quote and go from there. No sense worrying about it. Best of luck to you!

 

[DEKA3]

Spoke with the dealerships service manager. They do not handle body work. They outsource it to one of their guys. If I go to that guy, the dealership does not warranty or guarantee any work. Its all between me and the bodyshop.
So now just waiting for the insurance company to come out and give me a quote. In the meantime I am gonna go to a few local shops and hear them out.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. You all have been a great help.

 

[Kraeken]

That SUCKS. I use A&B here on Staten Island. They do outstanding work and happen to also be a GEICO shop. I don't have GEICO anymore, but I still use the shop, unfortunately too often. They fixed my wife's Civic when it was hit by a snowplow. I also got rear ended in my Jeep, and they replaced the rear liftgate and matched the six year old black paint perfectly. Just recently my wife's current car, a Lexus, was backed into by a tow truck, which bent her hood up and damaged her radiator. I think they used a combination of OEM and aftermarket parts. They also matched the paint perfectly.

 

[LandCruiser]

...so the city of NY hitting your truck is about the same as an uninsured driver? Super. I assume you can't sue or pressure them to get your money sooner?

I would get the insurance to fix your truck and see if the city will give you any money down the road. You don't really have a choice.

I'd insist on OEM, because every non-OEM fix I've had was on the "good enough" front, rather than "just like new."

Cheer up, tho, based on your photos you're still a very lucky guy.

 

[Stifler]

1. You did get a police report right?

2. so this "Supervisor" comes out and tells you 6 months and you just took his word as bond? Fug that I would be downtown making a scene!

3. Geico is the sh1ttyest company ever!

4. Go with whatever they recommend (express) demand OEM parts and a rental vehicle equivalent to your vehicle. did I say DEMAND? If you are using your insurance company they should be going after the city for reimbursement and not be worried about cost.

5. See item 3!

 

[nevans2005]

1. The garbage truck is contracted by the city so most likely they will claim "tort Immunity" and not end up paying a dime. Check local statutes to see if they can claim that. I know in PA, IL, TX they can claim this if they so choose.
2. Geico will write for AM parts on your truck whether you demand OEM or not. It's in your insurance policy which is a contract.
3. If Geico does write aftermarket parts then get their warranty because at the first sign of premature rust I would be calling and raising hell to get the parts replaced.
4. Find a shop that will "test fit" the b.s parts Geico will estimate for and make sure every gap and line on the truck is exactly what it was prior.

 

[Kraeken]

When the plow hit my wife's car, they had no problem filling out all the paperwork and an MV104. They paid up no problem, and it took about three weeks if I recall correctly. NYC is also self insured.

If you get the work done at a reputable shop, and it is affiliated with your insurance company, you have a right to get the work done to your standards. I'm not sure about oem parts, but they must function as good as oem, and cosmetically it must look like it did before the accident.

 

[Hadelson]

There are good shops out there. Just do your homework. NYC does have a solid admin process so hope it works out with quick resolution. My wife had a Rav4 - parked that was run over and dragged by an 18 Wheeler who of course should not have been in the parking lot. $11,000 dollars of damage. A local and very small body had a fantastic reputation. Fought with Insurance and they agreed to have the shop complete the work. Took 6 weeks and end result was excellent. Fit and paint match was perfect. Had to remove the engine-trans - front drive unit to repair damage frame points. Replace-lined up with lasers and set suspension to OEM zero. I was shocked as you could not tell the car was hit that hard and repaired.

 

[4everunner]

I wonder if lawyer will speed up the process to get money out of DUMP Co?
op2::lever::jump::bounce:

 

[Nervo19]

Did you make a police report? If you saw it or have a witness the driver should be charged with hit & run - property damage. I would take it to Toyota and get the estimate. And then file a complaint with whoever oversees the sanitation department. Go up the chain of command in that department and file a complaint with your city councilman or borough president or whatever local representative of government you have. Six months means he is not taking your complaint seriously and considers it like the people who demand damages when they trip on the sidewalk. If you don't have a witness, video, or didn't see it in person you might be SOL. If you file a police report *maybe* they will investigate and prove the truck hit your 4Runner. If you end up filing with Geico you do not have to take their first offer. Get your own estimate and demand that payment.

 

[mdogg]

Six months means he is not taking your complaint seriously and considers it like the people who demand damages when they trip on the sidewalk.

When is the last time you tried to get money that you are owed from any government entity? These things take time and depending on the state, liability from slip and fall and auto accidents are probably equivalent from the government's point of view and procedure. It's not a runaround response as much as you think it is.

 

[Stifler]

did I mention GEICO sucks

 

[Nervo19]

When is the last time you tried to get money that you are owed from any government entity? These things take time and depending on the state, liability from slip and fall and auto accidents are probably equivalent from the government's point of view and procedure. It's not a runaround response as much as you think it is.

That's funny because I used to prepare accident investigations for the city attorney's office as part of my job. If there was no lawsuit and city was at fault they settled pretty fast. It's a shame if you expect any less. If it was a nuisance claim they sat on it forever and the disorganized scofflaw type will give up on the claim/scam. Not saying that about OP but lots of people trip on sidewalks and make pain and suffering claims. If OP does not have a witness he is probably going to have to depend on his own insurance.

 

[DEKA3]

1. You did get a police report right?

2. so this "Supervisor" comes out and tells you 6 months and you just took his word as bond? Fug that I would be downtown making a scene!

3. Geico is the sh1ttyest company ever!

4. Go with whatever they recommend (express) demand OEM parts and a rental vehicle equivalent to your vehicle. did I say DEMAND? If you are using your insurance company they should be going after the city for reimbursement and not be worried about cost.

5. See item 3!

1) Called the cops. They came out 3 hours later. Said they cannot do anything (even file a report) because the driver of the vehicle is no longer there and the info that the supervisor gave me wasnt enough for a report.
I told the officers responding that is obsurd and I need a report for insurance purposes. They told me to get in touch with the city's comptrollers office. :AK47::AK47:
2)That is how the process works. There are thousands of claims against the city on a daily basis. They are really backlogged. I spoke to a city employee friend of mine and he said the same thing. He told me to go through my own insurance and just wait. I will get paid, but it will take time.
3) I agree
4) No OEMparts. Not happening. Not ever. No way, at least not through Geico's "Express" centers. I spoke to 4 different sUpervisors at Geico and 2 different adjustors. All said the same thing.
I have spoken to the body shop. He said off the record he will work around the aftermarket thing and get me OEM parts. Tricks of the trade I guess. He gave me his word. I told him if they are not OEM, he is going to keep them and I will take my truck elsewhere.
5) i agree

 

[DEKA3]

1. The garbage truck is contracted by the city so most likely they will claim "tort Immunity" and not end up paying a dime. Check local statutes to see if they can claim that. I know in PA, IL, TX they can claim this if they so choose.
2. Geico will write for AM parts on your truck whether you demand OEM or not. It's in your insurance policy which is a contract.
3. If Geico does write aftermarket parts then get their warranty because at the first sign of premature rust I would be calling and raising hell to get the parts replaced.
4. Find a shop that will "test fit" the b.s parts Geico will estimate for and make sure every gap and line on the truck is exactly what it was prior.

The garbage truck is NYC property. With NYC OFFICIAL tags. They will pay. It will jjust take some time. I am going through my insurance. Let them deal with the city

 

[DEKA3]

Did you make a police report? If you saw it or have a witness the driver should be charged with hit & run - property damage. I would take it to Toyota and get the estimate. And then file a complaint with whoever oversees the sanitation department. Go up the chain of command in that department and file a complaint with your city councilman or borough president or whatever local representative of government you have. Six months means he is not taking your complaint seriously and considers it like the people who demand damages when they trip on the sidewalk. If you don't have a witness, video, or didn't see it in person you might be SOL. If you file a police report *maybe* they will investigate and prove the truck hit your 4Runner. If you end up filing with Geico you do not have to take their first offer. Get your own estimate and demand that payment.

The driver did not leave the scene. I happened to see it. I do have video, but did not play that card yet. I want to see what, if any tricks they are going to try and play. The Toyota dealerships around here (the 3 I spoke to) do not do body work. They offer it out to local businesses and do not want anything to do with it.

 

[TEQ.FZJ]

Read this story today about NYC cops and it immediately reminded me of this thread.

Cops hit my car, then arrested me: suit | New York Post