Wrecked 03, family safe!

[TN4RUNNER]

I mentioned this wreck in an earlier thread, but I wanted to add some pics. My whole family was in the truck, wife, 3.5 yr old son, 1 month old daughter at the time. Our neighbors 5 year old daughter was also in the back seat. This 4Runner took a beating and no one was hurt.

I do have one question though. Should the air bags have deployed? They did not! Yea, I know, at first glance it looks obvious. But the impact point was just to the outside of the driver's side airbag sensor. It was a glancing blow at about a 45 degree angle. Are the bumper sensors the only thing that triggers the airbags to deploy or are there other mechanisms that can set them off?

I'm just curious to know if the Toyota design engineers designed in the characteristic of NOT deploying the airbags in a glancing blow. Bottom line is that I was able to tuck my kids into bed that night and then climb into bed with my wife. The truck did it's job in my book.

 

[TN4RUNNER]

Pic 1

 

[TN4RUNNER]

Pic 2

 

[TN4RUNNER]

Pic 3

 

[TN4RUNNER]

Pic 4

 

[mtnracer]

That looks aweful. Glad nobody was seriously hurt. 4Runner for Life!

 

[iFORCE]

glad to hear about your family. too bad about the truck... but in some circumstances, it's way better to NOT have your airbags deploy. If that was a full blown head on collision, then yes... air bags will help a lot more.

 

[Sac State]

I mentioned this wreck in an earlier thread, but I wanted to add some pics. My whole family was in the truck, wife, 3.5 yr old son, 1 month old daughter at the time. Our neighbors 5 year old daughter was also in the back seat. This 4Runner took a beating and no one was hurt.

I do have one question though. Should the air bags have deployed? They did not! Yea, I know, at first glance it looks obvious. But the impact point was just to the outside of the driver's side airbag sensor. It was a glancing blow at about a 45 degree angle. Are the bumper sensors the only thing that triggers the airbags to deploy or are there other mechanisms that can set them off?

I'm just curious to know if the Toyota design engineers designed in the characteristic of NOT deploying the airbags in a glancing blow. Bottom line is that I was able to tuck my kids into bed that night and then climb into bed with my wife. The truck did it's job in my book.

From what I have read or been told the airbags deploy with the force of a 10 gauge shotgun. If your not a gun person, that is a very big explosion and force impact. Looks like the truck took a glancing blow as you noted, unless the strike was 'dead-on' the airbags won't deploy because there is a chance the airbags will do more bodily damage then the collision. At least that is my take.

Glad your family was unhurt.

 

[LSUMBA]

Glad to hear everyone is fine, but I hope your Runner is totaled. There is no way I would want my truck fixed after all that damage.

Sure seems like a lot of damage from just a glancing blow though. Who was at fault?

 

[Thai]

Glad to hear everyone is fine, but I hope your Runner is totaled. There is no way I would want my truck fixed after all that damage.

Sure seems like a lot of damage from just a glancing blow though. Who was at fault?

I agree...hopefully, it was totaled. If not, then the airbag deployment would have totaled it for sure.

Glad to hear that you and your family (and neighbor kid) are OK.

What are you gonna buy next?? Since your family is big, i would seriously get something that has side curtain airbags on your next vehicle...and hopefully, it will be a 4runner.

 

[TN4RUNNER]

The other guy was at fault. He was driving an older Chervolet pickup and pulled out in front of my wife from the right hand side. The timing was such that he almost made it across in front of her. She had just enough time to swerve to the right, toward his tailgate, to try to avoid him. Had he pulled out a split second later the impact would have been much worse, she would have probably T-Boned him directly in the side. No a pretty picture!

Nope, the vehicle wasn't totaled! It did about 12K damage though. I argued extensively with the guys insurance company without luck. Most of the damage was surface stuff. The engine wasn't damaged, the suspension or frame wasn't hurt, the airbags didn't deploy. You guys know where the battery is located though! It exploded sending acid all over the engine compartment. Everything plastic or rubber had to be replaced (wiring harness, complete electrical system, caps, hoses, etc.) The body shop did a great job on the repair, it looked factory fresh. I didn't trust it afterward though! Especially with all of the electrical work.

However, I did get a nice dimenished value settlement because of the amount of damage. That $$$ combined with a rebate on the extended warranty that I purchased and a generous trade in offer at the local stealership made my trade to an 06 Sport an easy decision. We are very very happy with the new 06!!! '

Here's a pic of our new ride. Looks a little better than the pics at the top of the page huh?!

 

[Thai]

Oh...congrats on your new ride...that was quick!

 

[UoD]

I liked your old color better

 

[GatorGreg]

Glad to see your family's okay - enjoy your new '06!