Rear ended by an F350

[GatorGreg]

So I'm on my way to work this morning and stopped at a red light in a left turn lane waiting for a green light and couldn't help but notice this big ass F350 in my rear view mirror. We're both stopped for at least 20 seconds at this light and then I feel / hear a little crunch Young girl driving said it was her first time driving a truck I guess her foot slipped off the brake pedal, I don't know.

Anyway, how should this be fixed? Should I insist her insurance pay for an all new bumper or will they try to get away with pounding out the big ding?

 

[007Runner]

As far as the repair goes it will depend on what your insurance adjuster says. If the repair shop says a replacement is the only safe repair, then that is what will be done. If it is fixable, chances are you will not get a new part. If you do need a new part, it will not be new but from a salvage yard.

 

[Koz]

Insist on a NEW Toyota bumper!

Koz

 

[kimboy]

Get all new parts from the frame back. Or settle for a poor re-chroming job that may chip in a few months.

 

[007Runner]

Insist on a NEW Toyota bumper!

Koz

The vehicle is almost 7 yrs old. It will not be a brand new part if they can find one in a salvage yard. This is not how a repair works, you just don't automatically get brand new parts. The insurance company has to fix it as good as it was before. Not better then it was before by putting a brand new bumper on a 7yr old vehicle.
I know that you don't believe me. Call your insurance agent and ask that question for your self. You will not be happy with the answer. We pay good money for our insurance and we would expect to get brand new parts, it just does not work like that.

Been there, done that, not happy with the outcome. It is considered an acceptable repair and is considered a normal practice. I don't like it and it is not fair to the consumer, it only benefits the insurance industry.

 

[GatorGreg]

Thanks guys, well I think I'm just gonna slap a T4R.ORG sticker on it and call it a day Seriously though, I took a look at it during lunch and it's not that bad - probably not worth my time to go to body shops and argue with insurance companies. I'm just glad I wasn't driving my '70 Cougar - probably would have blown up

 

[007Runner]

You really need to get it looked at! You never know if some serious hidden damage may have occurred. You also deserve to have it fixed. You were stopped at a traffic light, so don't worry about your rates going up. This is the type of accident that you can not have a percentage of fault. In just about 99% of accidents even if it was not your fault some small percentage will fall in your direction. Don't ask for a explanation it will be extremely long. This is a 100% fault of the other driver so your rates will not be effected at all. Get it fixed, and you will be entitled to a rental car payable by the other insurance company.

 

[dingo]

My uncle's old Taco got dinged in the rear and he just ended up taking the rear bumper off and tapping it out. Ok, maybe tapping is an understatement but it came out ok. He brought it to the firehouse (he's a fireman for SFFD) and used some of the tools there. After a vehicle gets over 5 or 6 years old, I start not to really care about such things myself. But you should still get some sort of retribution for getting hit. It wasn't your fault.

 

[Jacobzky]

to prove that you're not at fault means you need to have a police report, that the insurance could verify.

 

[sharp4runr]

Get the vehicle inspected by your insuarance adjuster and get a quote for repairs. Turn that into the other driver's insuarance and have them send you a check for repairs. Take that money and buy yourself an ARB bumper

I'm not sure if you could get the above done, but I'd rather settle for cash and then buy your own bumper.

 

[Mark86]

Sorry to see what happened to your truck! It is a shame because you just bought it. I would fix it with a genuine Toyota bumper.

 

[spyne]

I'm just glad I wasn't driving my '70 Cougar - probably would have blown up

If you were in your '70 Cougar you'd probably be okay. However, if you were in a '71 Pinto you'd now be charbroiled.

 

[kimboy]

GatorGreg,

The least you can do is get a quote from your insurance broker. I'm sure the father of the girl will understand that it takes a lot of responsibility to use a large vehicle, such as a f350. Please don't forget that her excuse is only that. An excuse.

Settle with the father, and put a coupld buck in your pocket to pay for some holiday gifts. If you can afford an F350 there is money to be had.

Sorry if i'm sounding like the grinch. Someone (a drunk) nearly stole my Xmas last year.

Go get em'

DK

 

[Uneek]

I would get an estimate and have them cut a check. You could probably have it pounded out. Some insurance companies will not pay for OEM parts and on wear items, they don't pay for full replacement. They call it "betterment" because the wear item is replaced and now brand new, so it's in better condition than before, therefore they don't pay the full cost for replacement. But since it's a bumper, they shouldn't be throwing betterment around.

 

[Koz]

I would not settle for anything less then a used OEM bumper. If a used OEM bumper can not be found and you make enough noise, they can authorize a new one. I would tell them that I will pay the difference and see them in Small Claims Court. They will not waste the time and money to appear in court over a bumper. If you stick to your guns you will get an OEM bumper, no matter what anyone tells you. I've never had to go to court. Been there, done that.

Koz

 

[broncosi]

That sucks just getting that 4runner and already getting hit:bash: Im assuming you didnt call the police, i would insist that she pay for a new bumper and also suggest not to mention it to insurance that way no ones insurance goes up and you still get it fixed.

 

[007Runner]

Getting original equipment should never be a problem. Getting the part brand new is the problem. That is what I was saying. I was unhappy in the end because I wanted brand new parts, but ended up with used OEM parts.

 

[techno]

Shame about the small accident there, especially if you havent had rig for very long. I have only had mine for a month and I would be a bit pissed off too. But seriously, just put a sticker over it like you said, or tap it out yourself. I cant imagine a more minor thing to happen to a bumper of all things. Who in their right mind would jump up and down and yell and scream at their insurance company and make such a fuss, or even make threats about court action over something so SMALL! Calm down people.
Dints in chrome parts can easily look so much worse than they are because of the high reflectivity. Even a tiny surface imperfection will become evident with a chromed surface. If it really bothers you and the cosmetic appearance of your vehicle is important to you, then fine, get it repaired (new/used, who cares?). I think its pretty cool that you can say an F350 ran into the back of you and that was the only damage done!

 

[kimboy]

The problem still exists... The driver of the F350 is THE liability here.

This problem should be resolved by talking to the girls father, i.e. man to man. Just be sure to have your insurance quotes there as your negotiation tool.

I like Ko'z thinking..

 

[ovrrdrive]

I know this thread is a few days old but I wanted to give my 2 cents...

I agree on the oem parts...

I got hit by a UPS driver once and when I told them I wouldn't accept aftermarket parts at first they said I didn't have the option. I let them know in no uncertain terms that I was driving safely until their driver hit me, and there was no way I was going to let the value and cosmetics of my truck suffer for it. All I wanted was for the truck to be exactly like it was before.

I had to allude to the fact that I didn't want to sue them, and that I just wanted my truck back. As soon as I mentioned a lawyer they came right around and gave me what I wanted.

Funny thing is that after about 8 years the fender they replaced has had all the clear coat peel off, and I did find an aftermarket headlight trim ring on the truck... Bastards.

I would actually think that junk yard OEM would actually be better than new aftermarket though. Just make them let you inspect it first and refuse it if there is so much as a hairline scratch or haze on it. If its perfect it's as good as new.