Is it totalled? Opinions please

[jimithing]

I was going north and a lady going south was trying to turn at a stoplight and go east. She pulled across me and I pretty much hit her square in her passenger front tire. I was going 40-45 mph at impact. Airbags deployed of course. I can't tell how much damage is done to the engine if any but surely the frame is bent from that high of speed. It's a 2007 V6 Sport Edition with around 68k miles in case it matters. What do you guys think?

 

[tacticalcustoms]

yes:gun6:

 

[MidwestT4R]

Maybe your approach should focus on whether YOU want them to even try to fix it. Surely that runner has major frame and engine damage. Would it ever be right again if they tried to fix it? If your insurance company is going to try and fix it I cannot help but wonder if they will try to use boneyard pieces to save money.

Lastly, I ended up with my 4runner because someone pulled in front of me and I totaled my car. The first offer by my insurance company was low. I found out that most companies now use third party assessors for determining the value of a totaled car/truck. You can bet they will assume that you didn't really take care of it and that the trucks they use to compare value will be 4runners at no name roadside dealers. Not exactly the cream of the crop. They won't use what your local Toyota dealer is charging for the same truck. So gather your records so you can show that you have taken care of the truck. And if your need to go online to find your own assessor to argue on your behalf just do it. In my case I had to pay the guy 350 bucks but he got the value up another 1000 bucks. My old car was a 1999 so the book value was low. Your runner is fairly new and we all know how well they retain value. Don't get screwed. Find out your rights if you don't agree with the value presented.

 

[jimithing]

Yeah, I don't want it back because I know it'll never be the same. I'm just hoping I won't have to fight her insurance about it. And I hope they don't try to screw me on the value. I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow with her insurance company.

Also, I had my 1.5 year old daughter in the car with me and I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to reuse the car seat now that it's been in a wreck. Will her insurance cover something like that?

 

[SMEE]

Dude, did your head hit the windshield?

 

[3DZ]

totaled, part it out.

 

[jimithing]

Dude, did your head hit the windshield?

No, I guess that's from the force of the airbag. I don't think I even touched the airbag though, the seat belt held me back.

 

[MidwestT4R]

Nope. The car seat is history. Get a new one.

Hopefully your insurance company will just pay you right away and then go after her insurance for the money. Just don't accept the first offer. Ask your agent or company about ALL of your options regarding disputing the value of their offer. Find all of it out. They will tell you if you can hire your own assessor. The assessor would also be more adept at telling you what your car is really worth. Then they negotiate on your behalf to adjust the offer. If it goes to arbitration they represent you.

 

[MidwestT4R]

BTW, the price point for replacing your 4runner is not private party pricing or the price of some fly by night dealer for a 4runner. A dealer prepped and cleaned up 4runner is the price you want. Because that's what you would pay if you wanted a truly pristine 4runner that has all the service records documented.

 

[parboy]

I would say yes. Shame it looks like it was a nice 4R... Ya know in looking at it I would say that is a true testament of the 4runners crash safety. Looks like the passenger cabin, doors held up well. I would hate to see the car you hit

 

[Burt]

Yep, they will total it for sure. Glad nobody was injured....

 

[Burt]

totaled, part it out.

The insurance company "totals" the vehicle and part of the terms are.. you must sign the title over to them. The insurance company will most likely sell it to a salvage yard, aka, a salvage title. They will not allow anything removed/replaced on vehichle minus your personal property.

 

[MidwestT4R]

If forgot. The damage caused by the accident should be covered. You should get reimbursed for the car seat, any medical expenses, and also the sales tax you would have to pay on any replacement car you buy that is the same value as your old runner.

Sorry if I sound a bit wound up on this. My old toyota was a great car that i had hoped to hang on to for a few more years. So some dumb ass pulls in front of me and I had to fork out a lot of money to replace it. Sounds like you had the exact same thing. Now I love my 4runner which I got on the recommendation of my neighbor. It's been a great truck. The whole process to get to the runner just sucked so hang in there.

I agree with Burt. Thank goodness nobody was hurt.

 

[rockwall]

She's gone man. Sorry for your loss.

 

[jimithing]

I think I figured out what happened to the windshield. I think it was my hand that hit it. I pulled a little sliver of glass out of my hand after that earlier post. Then I got to thinking that I drive with my hand on top of the steering wheel and the airbag must have pushed it up into the window. I have some cuts on my hand, I just figured they were burns from the airbag - I'd always heard that airbags will burn you. And my arm and elbow are feeling a little more sore now that the adrenaline has worn off a little.

I'm very happy with the way the car took the collision, I'll definitely be buying another. Her car was a Honda CRV and it's going to be totalled too I'm sure. But I was impressed at the way her car took the side impact. There was nobody in her passenger seat but look at the attached picture and you can see where my car hit the passenger door and passenger side front wheel. It distributed the impact well IMO. I'll try to keep this thread updated for people to learn from the process I'm about to have to go through. I can deal with the inconvenience of the accident, and I'm glad everyone is ok. I just don't want this to cost me money out of pocket. I guess we'll see.

 

[Uneek]

Glad you're ok and no one was hurt. That CR-V took the hit very well, as did your 4Runner. The crumple zone did its job.

I hope you get through this quickly with minimal hassle.

 

[Veritas]

nah, you could buff that out...

 

[blaniac22]

Yep, they will total it for sure. Glad nobody was injured....

That's what is most important. Makes me feel better about my wife, who is a pretty safe driver, driving our 2 boys - aged 2 and 6 months around in it.

Sorry you lost a nice truck....glad you and your daughter are ok.

 

[4Runner8]

dunzo

 

[wombie]

Looks like it should be an easy wreck call for the insurance company.

I'm really sorry this happened to you and your family - having been there myself I'd say it was one of the more traumatic and not easily overcome experiences of my life. I hope you are all okay.