Front-end Damage

[fdjrtr]

Hi all,
Unfortunately my first post on these forums isn’t with the best news. I’ve been reading for a while, and this forum was very helpful with my decision to buy a 4Runner last spring. You all have great information and mods!

Anyways, I was involved in an accident today, and I was wondering if any of you have a feel for damage and cost? Another driver pulled out of a parking lot without properly checking for traffic, and I ended up T-boning her at about 40 MPH. Thankfully everybody was ok.

I’m somewhat hoping it’s totaled, just because I don’t want to be plagued with problems in the future, and I definitely babied her and took good care of it…all for nothing now :-\. As far as the basic information goes, it’s a 2013 4x4 Limited, right at 14k miles, about 10-11 months old.

Here’s a pic of the damage, as well as one from her better days! Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[RickC5]

Doesn't look totaled to me, and the damage doesn't look too bad. Of course, hard to tell from just one photo. Hard to estimate repair costs, but it will be relatively expensive.

 

[Titanpat57]

I hit two deer and only got $1200...a lot less damage than yours. I'd guess about 5-6K

Sorry about your truck, glad your ok.

p.s. if your front aluminum beam is bent I just pulled mine off, nice and straight, I also have the brackets to connect it to the frame (just put an ARB bumper on.

 

[fdjrtr]

Thanks for the info. I guess it's easy to overreact about damage when it's always been "like new."

Any tips for dealing with the body shop or insurance? Fortunately, I've never had any sort of accident before, and I just want to make sure that everything returns to the way it was before. Also, any things I should watch out for, such as transmission or engine problems, etc. due to the collision?

Thanks again!

 

[Stifler]

DEMAND original equipment and dont settle.... be picky and go over it with a fine toothed comb before taking delivery.

 

[simplemind]

Can't tell you about the cost of the damage but the guy looking under the hood is F.....ugly!

IMHO, it could be a total. Did the air bags pop? All the doors work w/o any drag, like before? If if were a uni-body, it wouldn't have survived as well, so that's good and bad. Sounds like everyone is OK, which is what's important.

 

[Seatown]

I just had similar damage (minus the hood) and the estimate is $3500...you have the hood to worry about too so you're probably in the same realm of $3500-4000. That is if the damage is purely cosmetic; if it's structural that's going to be heaps. Same goes for the airbags were deployed as simplemind mentioned. If there is zero fault of your own you need to pursue a diminished value claim with the at fault insurance carrier. Your car will not be worth the same now that it has an accident on it's history report.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I would drive that truck after repairs were done. That's not bad at all. It doesn't even look bad enough for the airbags to deploy.

Here's my assessment from one picture.
1. hood- time to get the trail hood upgrade, if you want.
2. a/c condensor and radiator look undamaged.
3. left headlight is retaining arm is broken- retrofit anyone?
4. left front fender?
5. bumper retainers look to have done their job. The frame looks untouched.
6. I think I saw that guy in the Goonies

Even if the airbags deployed, I would be very surprised if they total it. I would imagine it would have to exceed $25k before they even consider it.

 

[fdjrtr]

Simplemind, that's pretty funny! I blurred the face to try and protect people's privacy on the internet!

All the forward airbags popped. Honestly, it took me a few seconds to realize what had happened, but I was really appreciative of the body-on-frame construction! The smell after the accident was atrocious, and I'm guessing that was from the airbag deployment?? That was the first thing that clued me in that we collided. In any case, I guarantee we would have all been worse-off had it been a uni-body; we hit at a relatively high speed. I didn't even have time to get on the brakes, because I didn't see it coming until it was imminent---but I guess the same could be said for most accidents.

Stifler, I plan to be very picky about it. She was in new condition before lunch today, and I don't want to take her back in any condition other than that.

Thanks again guys!

 

[jimmied]

I have a body we had to use a few times(its the wifey i promise, LOL) and the owner is fantastic. If (probably when) we have to use him again, we are just going to alert insurance of a claim and get him to repair and completely out of pocket. I will then have insurance reimburse me for the repair.

He is big on only using factory parts and doing everything, the minutest details are handled. We had a discussion that the insurance company is there to cover my losses and not to "guide" the repair even though that is what you are lead to believe. I am hoping I won't have to try but if something comes up, it will be one hell of a fight I am sure.

Find the best possible body shop and talk to them about this approach if you want it done right, maybe they can give you some ideas bout how to handle it.

 

[Go JayBee]

So what did the other vehicle look like?
If "T-Boned", its probably totaled, right?

I 2nd the thought of getting your rig fixed with OEM Parts. I had a similar experience with my 4R TE and just claimed it on my own insurance, then let them fight it out with the other insured carrier. And as someone has already mentioned, get yourself an attorney and file a suit against them for Diminished Value...you probably lost at least $5k, if not more.
Of course you will also have to hire an appraiser to document the condition of the vehicle. Don't worry about the cost of appraiser and attorney...the lawyer will get you all that back plus your DV, plus a few grand for himself.

Sorry you are going through this. It sucks...you take care of your stuff and some Bozo comes along and screws it up for you.

 

[Titanpat57]

Thanks for the info. I guess it's easy to overreact about damage when it's always been "like new."

Any tips for dealing with the body shop or insurance? Fortunately, I've never had any sort of accident before, and I just want to make sure that everything returns to the way it was before. Also, any things I should watch out for, such as transmission or engine problems, etc. due to the collision?

Thanks again!

Check with your agent right away, which you obviously done. Find out what your policy says and your deductible. Make sure they use OEM stuff as long as it's covered..and treat the adjuster like a redheaded step child...they're there to save the insurance company money...not make you happy...don't accept any quick deals and try to get at least 2-3 prices, unless you trust your shop.

Car Accident Claim Tips A Practical Guide To Auto Claims | United Policyholders

 

[fdjrtr]

Go JayBee,

It's pretty-much BS that her car (Honda Civic) is totaled and she'll get a new one and mine will be "repaired". I'm going to fight with all I have to get OEM parts and the diminished value...I hadn't heard of that before, but I'll look more into it and try to get in contact with a good lawyer tomorrow.

It definitely sucks. I've never had an accident before, and not that it's ever easy, but I plan to keep the 'Runner for a long time, and it really sucks that it got messed up less than a year into its existence.

Like you've all said though, the most important thing is that everybody is OK. To be honest, I'm pretty impressed that the Civic driver escaped unscathed.

 

[scott78945]

I had similar damage when I hit someone head on during a bad snow storm when they swerved into my lane. Damage was just about $5K. Same thing here, no airbags deployed. Won't be a bad as you think. No damage to the radiator or anything major. Good luck!

 

[nevans2005]

Just ran it through my estimating software based on your photo and parts, that I can see, appear to be around $4k alone. That does not include any labor times and damage that I can't see. The good news is that the bumper reinforcement bar is mounted to the frame with rail extensions that can easily be replaced and are designed to absorb some of that impact without hitting the frame at all.

Certainly is repairable and can easily be repaired like new. Who's your insurance carrier? Who's her insurance carrier?