Got rear ended. Would like to rebuild myself. Need help

[subspd]

So wife was driving last Friday on GA400 and got hit.

I would like to get a 4x4 labs rear bumper out of this since it was in the plans anyway. But the issue is the rear tailgate. It still works, the auto close still works, wiper and window. But it is twisted.
In fact my Gobi ladder I think actually helped keep it from being worse.

Any tips here would be appreciated. For example does anyone have a silver rear gate they don't need? (Long shot I know).

Any tips for just getting a cash settlement from the insurance company?

I contacted a lawyer and meet with them Thursday but I am supposed to meet with my insurance adjuster Monday. However the other drivers insurance will obviously be paying for all of this.

I got two estimates from local shops already. One was for $6k the other one was for $4k but his didn't include items like the exhaust which got crushed.

The other guy got towed....

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[unevolved]

Is there any damage to the body itself? If so, that may be a deal-breaker for a DIY fix.

I replaced my back hatch after a Uhaul trailer came unhitched when loading (their fault), and their insurance just wrote me a check. So I went to a junkyard, found a good condition silver hatch for $350, and pocketed the rest.

 

[Morphyne]

If it's just hatch replacement muffler and bumper I don't think k that should be too hard.

 

[subspd]

No rear fender damage just bumper, exhaust, and rear hatch.

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Not sure where you live, but you may want to check out Craigslist. Here in CA I found a few Auto dismantlers that had a few 4Runners and they will also ship parts. Back in Feb, I was also rear ended and had to replace my driver side bumper and tail light. When searching for parts on Craigslist, use words like Toyota 4Runner parts and Toyota 4Runner parting out. Good luck!


https://sacramento.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=toyota+4runner+parts

 

[having fun]

As long as the damage was plastic bumper, exhaust and lift door, and no adjacent parts to them damaged. I would consider the cash out and up grading as your looking for.

Yes there is a LOT of parts dismantler here in Sacramento, and have 4r coming in all the time. They do shipping to all over also. Prices are not bad, p/u a used OEM front axle for $60 for comparisons, local p/u for me.

 

[Gdmeadors]

It looks like some damage might have been done to the hitch also.


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[Gdmeadors]

I have been rear ended in traffic at least three times. I can't believe how close people follow. They never seem to realize how fast traffic can come to a dead stop and how long it can take for them to react and stop in time. Oh, I have no sympathy for anyone who rear ends me or someone else. People need to pay attention and follow at a reasonable distance. Rant over!


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[subspd]

It looks like some damage might have been done to the hitch also.


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Yeah that's why the 4x4 labs rear bumper makes sense. Hitch is integrated.

 

[Bob22222]

You're going to lawyer up for that? Or did you or a passenger also suffer personal injury?

 

[chitown40]

You do not need to consult a lawyer. Your own insurance company should represent your interests just fine for that kind of claim. As far as getting a check? Get your estimates for EVERYTHING and then ask for a check. After that, start tearing it apart and rebuilding as you desire.

 

[techno]

Get the repairs done professionally, but tell the shop you want to fit an aftermarket bumper and not an OE replacement. See what they are prepared to do. I did this and the shop asked me to purchase the bumper and have it shipped to them. The quote they submitted to the insurance company was for OE, and when they got paid they gave me a check for difference.

 

[subspd]

You're going to lawyer up for that? Or did you or a passenger also suffer personal injury?

Whip lash.

 

[truckhigh]

hope you alright.. I've done this for some of my friends and you just need to ask for them to cut you a check for repairs. it should be around the price of what their adjuster says. just hope their adjuster doesn't lowball you because you won't have a shop that will justify more expenses.

 

[subspd]

You do not need to consult a lawyer. Your own insurance company should represent your interests just fine for that kind of claim. As far as getting a check? Get your estimates for EVERYTHING and then ask for a check. After that, start tearing it apart and rebuilding as you desire.

No insurance company represents you interests. I was a large loss commercial adjuster for years. Trust me. Lawyer up or get a public adjuster. Otherwise your leaving money on the table. They are just a company trying to make a profit.

 

[subspd]

hope you alright.. I've done this for some of my friends and you just need to ask for them to cut you a check for repairs. it should be around the price of what their adjuster says. just hope their adjuster doesn't lowball you because you won't have a shop that will justify more expenses.

So you guys actually have the shop do all the work and then absorb the cost of a rear bumper?

 

[chitown40]

We're talking about a simple insurance claim for an accident where fault has already been determined. What exactly is the lawyer going to do except eat into the claim money? Are lawyers specifically knowledgeable about maximizing body shop estimates? I think not.

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[Bob22222]

Whip lash.

Gosh! I hope you suffer no lasting ills. You probably would be well off letting professionals handle the repairs rather than risking worsening your condition by taking on such heavy work if your body is compromised. Just my thinking.

 

[RonJR]

I think you need to ask for more than just the cost of repairs. This isn't a case where the insurance company is insuring your vehicle. They're insuring the other driver against damages he/she inflicted on you, which may or may not include personal injury, but certainly includes loss of use of your vehicle and loss of your time as well as actual repairs. I would ask for a minimum of $2000 more than the actual repair cost to make up for the overall hassle factor. A good lawyer may be worth his/her commission.

 

[truckhigh]

So you guys actually have the shop do all the work and then absorb the cost of a rear bumper?

it would be the included in the price of the their adjuster quote. which is normally china parts with full markup and labor at full price too. if he planned on putting a rear bumper himself then he is capable of doing all the labor. I normally just outsource paint because of quality and warranty. My friends and actually parents use the extra to either upgrade or take care of other problems.

for the medical stuff you do need a lawyer cause they will be giving you the run around.