What would you do...? Wrecked Tacoma

Need some advise from fellow 1st Gen Tacoma owners on my '97 Tacoma.

Live in Michigan, but bought the vehicle from Florida not even two years ago. Recently was t-boned and the following resulted. Hit me initially in the passenger door and as I rotated 270 degrees to the left upon impact was clipped again at the tail end of the box. Was able to drive it the 300 yards to work with only little brake pressure and the obvious that is seen here. Seemed to drive straight, however, was a bit distracted by the fact my Tacoma had likely "met it's maker" a little earlier than anticipated.

Of course, I only have PLPD and am now looking for the best advise on what to do. I've come to grips that this is not going to be my daily driver anymore and have thoughts of just cutting my ties with it.

It only been through 1.5 harsh, Michigan winters, and everything under body is in excellent shape. Just about everything on the right side is marred in some way major (door, rocker panel) or minor (front fender, back of box).

If this was yours...what would you do...?

 

Replace cab if under carage is still good?

 

Insurance isnt going to do anything?

 

Find another door and repair the rocker and floor. Drive it until it is dust.

 

Ya... if the frame isn't bent, you can scrap-yard it back together reasonably if you don't care about paint.

Always good to have a beater that you don't care about for winter and hauling stuff.

Get yourself a nice FWD sedan for a daily driver and fix the truck enough to be usable.

 

if the other driver hit you, it's their responsibiltiy to repair/replace your vehicle. that's what liability insruance is for. i would go after them or their insurance co. to get it fixed, or if they total it, some money out of it/

 

Unless it's his fault.
If Michigan is a no-fault state, that opens another can of worms.

 

Tube doors, wheel it.

nuff said.

 

ngrysen713,

With my hefty insurance check, here's what I did:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/208822-bad-news-crash-good-news-cash.html

 

Get it checked on a frame rack by a competent shop. That will help point the way for you. The frame is everything. It's no fun fighting the steering wheel going down the highway, even a little bit, and that's what you get with a frame that is no longer any good.

 

If the frame is good keep it

 

I vote keep it if the frame is good!

 

It was my fault, guys ...I was trying to avoid saying that. It's all on me, and the other guy could even get ahold of me to pay his deductible per the insurance guy. Have not received that call yet, thankfully.

There doesn't seem to be a surpluss of scrapped Tacoma's in my area, so finding the parts might be difficult. Without opening the door, it's likely that the cab is messed up too. I've pondered the idea of keeping it and getting a car, but with insurance costs and the relatively little that I drive, I determined it's best to have one vehicle. I really could use a bigger truck, anyways...

Say I wanted to part my ways with it..what is someone going to pay for this? Surely there's value in it yet, but what would you list it for?

Thanks for all the help!

 

Trucks not really worth that much as it sits, around here maybe $1800. If you want to keep it I would buy a car and start looking for a donor truck.

Sorry about your truck man, I know the feeling it sucks to see it out of commission and wounded.

 

Your PLPD should cover him 100% unless his damages are over your policy limits.

You should not be out any cash other than your own repairs.

Normally, if a person is not at fault, and they have collision, their insurance company handles everything and gets paid by the at-fault party's insurance company. If policy limits are high enough, that's it.

If a person is not at fault and they don't have collision, they have to personally deal with the other guy's insurance company.

Do NOT speak directly with the guy you hit. Anything you say can be twisted and used against you in a civil suit.
Any phone call about the accident should be responded to with "My insurance company's name is _____, the agent handling this claim is ___ ____ and his/her number is ___ ___ ____, my policy number is ________ and the claim number is ____-____.
When the phone rings, you don't know who is on the other end. Could be his insurance company, could be the guy, or it could be an attorney.
Let your insurance company deal with them, that's their job, and they won't say anything incriminating.

 

Thanks for the opinions and education, guys. Much appreciated.

 

I would make tube doors and wheel it...