Totaled, or will they fix it?

Hi TW Members. Attached are some pictures of our 2009 TRD Sport that got rear ended by a Jeep Wranger (propelled by a Kenworth semi-trailer) at a marked cross walk. Everyone involved walked away from the accident, however the paper work to recover damages from the at fault party is about to start.

I'd like to hear from those that have experienced similar rear end damage and if there are any tips or traps to watch for when the adjuster makes their assessment. Looking at the left leaf spring and rear hanger it looks like the Jeep drove in under the left corner and bent the hanger, driving the axle forward about 2" on the left side. The left rear door is also jammed forward and stuck shut by the damage to the lower cab. The composite bed liner is split in the left back corner, the bike rack (and our bikes) were rammed into the tail gate which broke free of its mounts. I'm concerned that if the insurance company wants to fix it there could be longer terms issues with the drive train and transmission, as well as other handling issues.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jason

 

If they hit it hard enough so the back door can't open odds are the frame is bent. Depending on mileage its probably totaled.

 

I'm no expert but I'm calling it totaled. Your frame has to be beyond out of spec judging by your photos. Hope your okay Man that looks like a pretty brutal collision.

 

your truck is totaled dude I mean I would get the frame checked out ASAP

 

Normally if the damaged vehicle repair will cost 75% or over compared to the total value of the vehicle they'll total it. Sometimes you can get them to total it.

 

Frame replacement
LH bed side
Composite bed
Tailgate
Tail light
Cab repair

Probably totaled, but not sure. This is one area where the high residual value of Tacos works against you.

 

Its totalled I would say.

 

There have been other TW members' trucks totaled with a bent frame but far less body damage (e.g. square-on rear-end collision causing the tow hitch to act as a pry bar). So chances are it will be totaled.


The Jeep looks remarkably good for being rear-ended by a semi.

 

Yeah your trucks probably a goner sadly.

Thankfully everyone walked away

 

I hope you said your good byes to her cause she will never come back!!!! Wow looks like a hell of a wreck!!! Glad everybody come out ok

RIP 09 Taco

 

That part where the leaf is attached to is part of the frame, Although secondarily installed it is not sold by anyone else... If it's a shady insurance company they will try to get someone to bend it back into place. Do not go for that, That is a frame replacement alone.

I wouldn't settle for it to repaired, That looks pretty mangled and it would never be the same again.

 

I was a former auto claims adjuster for Farmers. Frames can be straightened to an extent and it is legal depending on the state. The comment about 75% value is true and that is a rule of thumb we used. Depending on your policy, the insurance company may be able to use LKQ parts, essentially 2009 or newer used parts that come from certified junkyards. This would help to keep the repair cost down. Without knowing how much damage is on the cab corner it's tough to tell. If I were the claims adjuster on this vehicle I would try my hardest to total it because the supplements from the shop would probably be brutal. The truck should have a fairly high salvage value since the front end appears to be ok. This will also help to total the vehicle. Let me know if you have any insurance related question.

 

Shit'll buff out

(someone had to say it)

 

There's nothing shady about repairing a frame if it can be done. And, unfortunately the repairs are not up to the customer to decide. The insurance company will do whatever makes the most financial sense for them. He might be able to file a diminished value claim if the vehicle is repaired.

 

Glad you're ok, and I hope they total it. If they don't, it will show up on Carfax, and the truck will be harder to sell when you want to, and you will take a financial hit on the resale value. Before you meet with the adjuster try and find receipts for your bike rack, bed rack, bikes, etc. Check out the bed rack off the truck and make sure it didn't get twisted. GLW Insurance.

 

Wow, the TW Community is awesome, great advice on what to expect and how this may unfold (and some added humor, which we need at this time). My wife and I are so happy to be Taco owners in more ways than one.

Our Taco has 57,200 miles on it, and the rest of the vehicle is really clean so the ideas of its residual salvage value and also the diminished value claim option are good information to have.

Any other advice or related experiences with such damage would also be welcomed.

Thanks, Jason

 

the frame looks bent.. from that pic show the spring support is twisted( right side).. only final word I would say is totaled.. no sense trying to save that taco... make them get a new one for you

 

If it's totaled see what it costs to buy it back. You might be able to make a project out of it.

 

I would say that is totaled, my 07' was hit square in the rear by an 05 tahoe and pushed me into the vehicle in front of me, needed 2 bedsides, fenders, tailgate, hood, tail lights, headlights, front and rear bumpers, composite bed, and cab corner repair. Didn't look as bad as that and it was totaled.

Damn shame, but sometimes, its better that it does get totaled, after a hit like that, your truck would never be right

 

Do anything you can to persuade them to total it. They can probably "fix" it but it will never ride/run the same.

Sucks about your bikes; however, given the photos of the party you posted, everyone should be pretty happy they came out alive and reasonably uninjured.