Just got hit, advice?

[97hb]

So the Runner just got rear ended Anyways, just wondering about the insurance part. Never been in an accident before, my insurance company says it can go two ways. 1st I pay the deductable of $500, and my insurance company pays the rest and they go after the other insurace company for my deducatable and everything is payed off, or they said I could just get it all done thru the other drivers insurance. I don't know witch would be better??

 

[CJ3Flyr]

If the other guy has insurance use his! Make them get you a rental car too... Nothing like a few days in a Chevy Aveo to make you appreciate the T4R

 

[97hb]

If the other guy has insurance use his! Make them get you a rental car too... Nothing like a few days in a Chevy Aveo to make you appreciate the T4R

I'm still in shock. What is considered totaled out. I might feel better if the frame wasn't bent. I tow frequently and thats right where the tow bolts to the frame. I know they can repair, but will it be as sturdy?

 

[rook]

I'm still in shock. What is considered totaled out. I might feel better if the frame wasn't bent. I tow frequently and thats right where the tow bolts to the frame. I know they can repair, but will it be as sturdy?

It is very unlikely that your frame is bent. Looking at the pics, the right side of the rear crossmember and hitch took the brunt of the hit. The upper sheet metal damage appears to have left the rear hatch in tact. Once they pop it open, you will be able to see if there is any damage to the jamb or floor.

To total a vehicle, it would take a lot more damage. There are calculations the ins co. does to determine if it is totaled, mostly based on cost of repair vs actual cash value.

If you are concerned about the frame, take a look under the truck and look for new cracks, not old rusty ones in the black coating on the frame rails. Remember, the 4Runner has a boxed frame, which makes it very strong. If you have a bent frame, you would see other evidence, such as the rear doors not opening or closing properly or the rear end would be out of alignment. Once all the broken pieces are taken off, you would be able to see how little structural damage remains to the rest of the truck.

Good luck! Hope everyone is ok

 

[97hb]

It is very unlikely that your frame is bent.

Yes sir, you are correct. No frame damage. Crossmember is still bent like crazy and its welded to the frame. Guess they'll just pull it. Hope it will still pull 5k loads every once in a while

 

[techno]

I was in an accident on Friday (not my fault) and my insurance company gave me the same options you described. I decided to go with using my company, pay the deductible and recover the costs later. That was going to be the quickest route to get my vehicle repaired, otherwise it would probably take weeks longer.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The last time I had a body-on-frame vehicle fixed I was amazed. It's not the "good ol' dayz", thankfully. They'll pull that minor tweak and it'll be straight, stong enough and right. I am not nearly as optimistic concerning uni-body vehicles. The only thing you may want to do is spay some undercoating where they clamp on to the frame.
:cheers:

 

[r32]

I got in a crash whereby my Tacoma PreRunner was totaled in a head-on. I crawled away nearly unscathed except for bleeding skull, but I could tell nothing was broke. The guy that came into my lane and nailed me admitted at the scene that it was completely his fault. He fell asleep and his statement went on the CHP record.

Talked to a lawyer and he said I should have taken an ambulance to the hospital and we could have settled for tons of money. Always take the ambulance to the hospital, he told me. I told him that wasn't my style as America is f*****d up enough. So the lawyer said I didn't have much of a case other than to just settle with their insurance company if I didn't want to go through mine.

So I chose the other guys insurance company. They called me immediately on the phone and tried to get me to admit stuff. I told them I wasn't talking until I had more time to prepare. I did research, then set up a time for them to call me.

They had to record our conversation and asked me all kinds of questions. Was I drinking? Was I on any medications? Had I been driving for an extended period of time? Was I tired at the time of the accident? Was I looking forward or changing the CD? Was my truck running in good condition? It went ON AND ON!!! Basically it sounded like they were looking for ANY EXCUSE they could find to not pay me the money they owed me. I was fuming after I got off the phone!

Eventually they a cut a check for price of the vehicle at blue book (mid-blue) + 10k extra for mental anguish + 6k for lost wages due to not having a car + towing + rental car.

On a side note. My friend was sitting in 5mph traffic. Person behind him got rear-ended which shoved my friend into the person in front of him. Barely scratched her bumper and the lady got out complaining of neck injury, took an ambulance and sued my friend for a 1,000,000. Luckily his insurance fought her lawyer, while his insurance went after the insurance of the guy that hit him, of which he got very little money from. Insurance is such a.....oh nevermind.

 

[ALt4r]

That was going to be the quickest route to get my vehicle repaired, otherwise it would probably take weeks longer.

I got rear ended too (while stopped at a stoplight), took about three weeks to get it fixed. My god it was a pain in the ass.

Make sure they don't try and pull that "replica parts" crap. That piece that's hanging off of your right side was eventually replaced with an actual toyota part after the other person's insurance tried a replica part (read 3 weeks). But now it sits about half an inch lower than my left side. I know it's a tiny thing but it still makes me mad. Also i have one mud guard that is different from the rest, ugh.

If his/her insurance company says that have to use replica parts as a part of their policy just let them try and then say that you aren't happy with how it looks. I doubt they will try and fight you and they might give in.

Good luck man.

Talked to a lawyer and he said I should have taken an ambulance to the hospital and we could have settled for tons of money. Always take the ambulance to the hospital, he told me. I told him that wasn't my style as America is f*****d up enough.

Cheers man, some people these days...
I had a call recorded too, but not one question beyond where did the accident take place. The other person actually asked me if i was okay more than they did about the accident.

 

[97hb]

So I got the Runner back from the shop. They welded a new crossmember on with tow hitch. Its from toyota but two of the clips on the rear bumper cover did not line up. I just tie wrapped em up. And they hit the muffler with some flat black paint. Other than that, flawless job.

 

[jharris2]

Glad you got it back and are happy with the results.

 

[jeremysoca]

That hitch is hanging a little low, no?

 

[97hb]

That hitch is hanging a little low, no?

Yeah, I tried to look up the part number for the crossmember but no help. Anyone work at toyota and can look the part # up?? The spare is still lower than the hitch.

 

[rook]

See part # 12 in the diagram.
I dont see any alternate parts avail.

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5120935211 $230.53 $0.00 $176.36
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[MicaBlue03]

On the question of going through your own insurance company vs. going after the other driver's company (assuming you're not at fault) I've generally heard that it's best to keep your own company out of it if possible. This has been my experience as well.

You can look up "subrogation" online and get good explanations.

One problem is that some insurance companies will count against you any claims where they have to take action or spend any money, even if it's not your fault and they eventually get reimbursed. Not fair, but it happens with some companies. Sometimes when you go to get insurance they'll ask you if you've had *any* auto claim in the past x years, no matter the fault. Just one more thing that makes accidents a big PITA.