Rear-ended, not sure what to make of the damage

[JEMP1003]

So, not even a month old and some dumb bi@$% crashed into me while I stopped for a car in front of me. The best part is she gave the police office an expired insurance and she got away without a ticket!! (She was taken to the hospital, she was bleeding through her nose.)

Luckily for me, the seat broke before I did. (I actually hit the head rest so hard it broke off).

Now my question is, do you guys think my car should be totaled? The frame piece where the factory hitch is installed was bent inward so much the spare tire is now wedged between it and the rear axle.
Unfortunately I didn’t take pictures from underneath, but the longitudinal pieces of the frame seemed ok, except for where they meet that cross member at the back.
Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Stifler]

thats pretty gnarley.... not sure about a total though, whats the front look like? Hopefully you requested to be taken to the hospital and didnt waive treatment.... you might be OK right now but a week or even a year from now you might not be.... I would milk that dumbass for everything

 

[NJSalsaRed]

Unfortunately for you, that's easily fixable. Make sure the shop either you or your insurance company send you to has a lifetime warranty on their work.

 

[philsey]

Wait ... she rearended you and DIDN'T get a citation? WTF?

How can that be?

 

[Saker]

Wait ... she rearended you and DIDN'T get a citation? WTF?

How can that be?

And expired insurance and no ticket!!!!!

:der::wtf:

 

[NoDak]

um not even a month old, this screams DIMINISHED VALUE.

 

[JEMP1003]

Unfortunately for you, that's easily fixable. Make sure the shop either you or your insurance company send you to has a lifetime warranty on their work.

The insurance sent it to the dealer I bought it from. and yes I understand that is easily fixable, just cutting the old one and welding a new piece in place. But would that meet the factory standards?

Adding a weld on a truss that handles most of the towing weight and rear collision protection, is there a concern for fatigue failure, hardness issues or just overall strength?

 

[dwm2112]

Ouch, that has got to hurt but glad you are OK.

 

[zopperman]

Adding a weld on a truss that handles most of the towing weight and rear collision protection, is there a concern for fatigue failure, hardness issues or just overall strength?

I would have the same concern. Isn't that technically part of the frame and bent frame = total?

 

[mikeh74]

um not even a month old, this screams DIMINISHED VALUE.

Agreed. After it is fixed make sure to start a diminished value claim.

 

[NuclearN8]

1st, off glad you're ok.

2nd, I have no freaking idea how the person who rear ended you didn't get a ticket.

3rd, I'd trade it in, especially if you have Gap insurance, cut your emotional attachment and start over on a new one. This one will never be worth "good" kbb on resale as it's been wrecked.

 

[Jeremy556]

The insurance sent it to the dealer I bought it from. and yes I understand that is easily fixable, just cutting the old one and welding a new piece in place. But would that meet the factory standards?

Adding a weld on a truss that handles most of the towing weight and rear collision protection, is there a concern for fatigue failure, hardness issues or just overall strength?

Yes. Toyota sells that (and the other crossmembers) as standard OEM parts and has a manual on properly repairing. That rear cross member is $750 and 3 hours of labor to replace. Probably need the crossmember for the spare carrier, too, another $300.

 

[Jeremy556]

I would have the same concern. Isn't that technically part of the frame and bent frame = total?

Easily replaced section of the frame.

MSRP on an entire frame is $5,850 and 36 hours of labor to replace, so nowhere near the new cost of a 4runner.

 

[NoDak]

yeah these folks in my town are getting to the point, I may have to wire up another dash cam pointing out the rear.

 

[4FL]

I would have the same concern. Isn't that technically part of the frame and bent frame = total?

Bent frame does not equal totaled. That seems to be an old school of thought, but not reality.

I know someone who had the entire passenger side frame replaced on a ten year chevy truck due to a wreck.

 

[dcaero]

Take the time to seek out a diminished value claim. I learned that the hard way on a previous vehicle after not seeking it out, and getting WAY less on trade.

 

[NuclearN8]

http://www.ican2000.com/dvfaqs.html

 

[8086bruce]

Get the cash! Dirty car fax forever!

 

[jimmiem]

Has anyone filed a diminished value claim? This is the first I've heard of it. I just had $14k in repairs to my 2010 SRS Premium with 128k miles. The other driver was completely at fault and her insurance accepted full liability. I've already replaced it with a 2014 Limited and I've been freaking out a little bit over the thought of trying to sell the old one. I didn't do a trade because I needed a vehicle and couldn't wait for the repairs to be completed to get something.

Any tips on the diminished value claim? I'm so glad I've been frequenting this forum or I might not have ever found out such a claim was an option.

 

[4FL]

I know two people who have done the diminished value claims, and saw it once on Judge Judy.

:behindsofa:

By the, I fixed my broke sofa, it looks the same as this one.

Anyway, the insurance sure as heck did not voluntarily state anything about the diminished value, both people had to pursue it. I do not know the details of how they came up with the value, but I think it was simply something like the difference between what it was valued not wrecked, and what it is valued previously wrecked. But for some reason I think there was more to it than that.