Really? 6k miles? REALLY?

[H2O_Doc]

Wait wait wait, I knew about the LTD/SR5/TE...but you mean to tell me the T4R comes in compact? Man, SET Toyo gets none of the good stuff. But no man, on a more serious note, glad you were able to walk away from it all.

Nicely done. I wish I had come out with that, but I think I got a percussion or something in the wreck and am less witty than before.

I'm Trail Edition hunting right now. Wife is pushing for a Limited in blue. Who knows, however, they might not total it?

 

[H2O_Doc]

Holy crap, the T4R took a hell of a shot. Glad you're ok.

Couple of things I've learned from a few car wrecks and the fact my wife is an insurance agent and deals with this every day.

1. Use your insurance co...don't try to be a nice guy and work with the other guys insurance. The other guys insurance will want to take care of this as cheaply as possible. File a claim with your company, SEE A DOC. You might have some damage that won't show up for a week or so. Get it documented/looked at now.

2. Use your insurance co...if you go through the other guy's insurance, they will probably press to have your vehicle repaired as it will be cheaper than totalling yours out and cutting you a check. As stated before, a "total" occurs when the cost of repairs outweighs the value of the vehicle. Ususally this is anywhere from 60-80% of the value depending on the insurance company. Insurance companies don't like to total out a vehicle--cheaper for them to repair. If you use your insurance, they will be more likely to total it our and get you on your way then go after the other insurance company since since he was at-fault.

3. Say the truck books at $30K and the insurance co uses 70% to total...repairs must exceed $21K for it to be total loss. From the looks of it, it doesn't look like a $21K wreck. This isn't to say the damage isn't there...obviously a whole new front clip/mirror/paint/radiator/condenser etc is needed. Hopefully, for your sake, it's done--you get a check or loan is paid off and you get another 4R soon.
Did the airbags go off?
Looks like the "bumper" is pushed to the passenger side--are the front frame horns pushed in that direction? Again, the damage might be there but not shown in pics.
How about the door and rear liftgate gaps? Are they all the same?
Any buckling in the roof? If the T4R has any of these issues, there is more underlying damage which will increase the cost of repair and justify a total.

Thanks for the very useful advice. What has me concerned is that the tow crew threw all the debris from the scene INTO the cab of my 4Runner. This debris had both gas and oil on it, which can be tough to get out of fabric and seat foam. I'm wondering if the adjuster is going to be willing to put in a new interior if they try to repair?

 

[FJCRUZR]

Don't forget your hammer when you take another look at it!

I like what ZJ said...and I'm sure the frame if twisted :biggrin2:

 

[FJCRUZR]

Thanks for the very useful advice. What has me concerned is that the tow crew threw all the debris from the scene INTO the cab of my 4Runner. This debris had both gas and oil on it, which can be tough to get out of fabric and seat foam. I'm wondering if the adjuster is going to be willing to put in a new interior if they try to repair?

You don't have to agree with the adjuster, just be there when the shop make their estimate(experience talking)

 

[Flava Flav]

Yea, I joke but its sincere thoughts. I'm sure you have but definitely submit any receipts for any modification you might've done to the front end if you haven't (grille/retrofits/horn...etc). Hate that this happened again though; you were just giving me some advice on some mods.

Lol, I'd say get what suits you but you know what they say..."A happy wife makes for a happy life". Maybe meet her in the middle, get the LTD and no running boards. Get her to agree to 4x4 (argue how useful 4x4 is) then also get her to agree to letting you dressing it up to your desire by maybe allowing 10mods top.

Nicely done. I wish I had come out with that, but I think I got a percussion or something in the wreck and am less witty than before.

I'm Trail Edition hunting right now. Wife is pushing for a Limited in blue. Who knows, however, they might not total it?

 

[jca21]

should definetly total/scrap that and buy a new one.

after a wreck like that, theres gotta be a few demons in there (electrical, bent frame, etc) that cant get worked out.


also, i vote on a trail edition

 

[fngfish]

I say get it running and drive it as is. There will be hesitation from everyone to pull out in front of you when they can see the consequence of doing so.:bash: good luck with having to deal with car dealers after just recovering from the last time

 

[DEKA3]

should definetly total/scrap that and buy a new one.

after a wreck like that, theres gotta be a few demons in there (electrical, bent frame, etc) that cant get worked out.


also, i vote on a trail edition

I agree!

 

[Okki]

I had a Volvo V50T5 that was turned into a tricycle and after 6 months in the shop it was still not totaled (but several "readjustments" in). When I finally got it back it never drove the same.. I traded it for my LE before it hit the CarFax reports and would take a nose-dive in trade in value.

Once they start work on it, it becomes increasingly harder to get it totaled because they have money into it then. My insurance adjusted ended up revisiting it 4 times (if I recall correctly off the top of my head)..

Just keep your fingers crossed they rate the damage high enough the first time out.. or get ready to trade it in/private sale as son as you get it back.

Sucks to be in this situation either way...

Okki

 

[ZJumper]

Thanks for the very useful advice. What has me concerned is that the tow crew threw all the debris from the scene INTO the cab of my 4Runner. This debris had both gas and oil on it, which can be tough to get out of fabric and seat foam. I'm wondering if the adjuster is going to be willing to put in a new interior if they try to repair?

Yes the adjuster should do that. Oil/gas residue and smell will be hard if not impossible to get completely out of fabric--anything damaged should be "made right." Especially since it's only got 6K miles.

Take a good look at everything...door panels, plastic, seat belts...to make sure there are no scratches/damage from the towing guys tossing stuff in the truck.

Tow guys see wrecks all the time and most have a pretty good idea of something being totaled or not. They might have saw it and thought "This thing is done" thus treated the situation accordingly aka tossing stuff in the ride. Is it right for them to do? No, but sometimes that's how towing companies roll.

 

[ZJumper]

You don't have to agree with the adjuster, just be there when the shop make their estimate(experience talking)

^^^

Absolutely try to be there if you can. Most of the times the adjustor/estimator will point out things you don't even see. It's still nice to be there to point out other things he might miss--especially when it comes to the interior...you're the one who's been driving it for the last 6K miles.

 

[ZJumper]

Once they start work on it, it becomes increasingly harder to get it totaled because they have money into it then. My insurance adjusted ended up revisiting it 4 times (if I recall correctly off the top of my head)..

Just keep your fingers crossed they rate the damage high enough the first time out.. or get ready to trade it in/private sale as son as you get it back.

Sucks to be in this situation either way...

Okki

^^^

Yet more good advice. A good estimator/adjustor will be in the ballpark when it comes to determining damages, but there are always "hidden" problems that aren't identified until work starts. Once it starts, they want to finish.

I got T-boned in a VW Jetta TDI. Value of the car was around $22K, but the damage estimate was only $10K. The insurance co (other guys--big mistake on my part) didn't want to total it out and repairs were supposed to take 14 days. Well, long story short, repairs were around $17K and I was in a rental car at their expense for around 90 days for a grand total of $19,500. Would have been better for them to total it out. Getting specific parts from Germany can take a while I guess.

Work with your insurance company...have them tally up the damages to your T4R, rental car reimbursement, diminushed value etc. What? Wait? Oh yeah--something else insurance companies don't want you to know and/or won't tell you about DIMINISHED VALUE. Basically your car, if not totalled, will be worth significantly less since it's been in a wreck. They will hem and haw about "it's repaired to factory specs" and "it hasn't lost value" but it really has. Research it and you'll see what I mean.

Sometimes the other insurance company will come and do their own inspection/estimate. Don't be surprised if your insurance estimator comes up with an arbirtary figure of $17k in damage and the other one comes in at $12K. The other company will try to come in cheap as to avoid a total. If you are injured, sometimes the other company will call you an offer a settlement to avoid a lawsuit later.

ETA: Keep track of every expense (outside the norm and directly related to the accident) you incur. Aka mileage to the Dr, phone calls--log everything for proof as this is reimburseable.

 

[Titanpat57]

damn BMW driving bas****s..



hope ya feel better!

 

[FJCRUZR]

More bla bla form my own experience...

The adjuster is only that, an adjuster!
You really need the shop to assess the damages with you there, make sure it's a good expensive shop.
And by thee way, oil, blood, scratches, flat spots on tires from side impact and many more defects that YOU have on you dead truck don't buff out!
Make sure they don't start fixing it before ALL the damage is established.
And always remember that this was not you fault and you shouldn't have to put up with any BS since you truck was new and perfect before the accident!!!!

I could go on and on, but I'll just leave it at this for now...

Just my $0.02

And good luck!

 

[ImOnAPlain51]

Looks like quite a wreck...glad to hear you are alright and glad they caught the *&%$%#.

 

[H2O_Doc]

It turns out that my 4 Runner was transfered to a salvage lot for review and the insurance company said that suggested that someone thought it was a total loss. Friday is the big day.

Y'all have been quite helpful and I thank you for that.

 

[Bay33saw]

keep us posted. I see a new 2012 in your future

 

[H2O_Doc]

You are looking at $32,000 in damages

I think its gonna need paint at a minimum:

$32,000+ in damages, not counting the removal cost of the poopie I ricocheted out my pant leg and onto the dash on impact (I wasn't scared, I just had to go).

My wife gave me permission to buy, er..I mean I told her we'd be getting a Trail Edition. We have 4 days on the rental car clock left. Man, I'll miss that Chevy Aveo and its lawnmower sized wheels, and of course the looks from the ladies I got (sassy).

Apparently the State frowns on unscheduled departures from accident scenes and I'll get to meet the other driver in May in court (legal, not basketball).

 

[limamike]

$... not counting the removal cost of the poopie I ricocheted out my pant leg and onto the dash on impact (I wasn't scared, I just had to go).

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

Good luck with the new truck!

 

[harper7]

$32,000+ in damages, not counting the removal cost of the poopie I ricocheted out my pant leg and onto the dash on impact (I wasn't scared, I just had to go).

My wife gave me permission to buy, er..I mean I told her we'd be getting a Trail Edition. We have 4 days on the rental car clock left. Man, I'll miss that Chevy Aveo and its lawnmower sized wheels, and of course the looks from the ladies I got (sassy).

Apparently the State frowns on unscheduled departures from accident scenes and I'll get to meet the other driver in May in court (legal, not basketball).

Too funny! Now the hard part of even finding a TE as it seems they are getting rare.

Do you know why the other driver ran? It wasn't the poopie smell was it?:wow2: