Totalled? Hit and Run

Howzit!

Over the weekend some jackass smashed into my 2007 Tacoma in front of my house. Luckily my neighbor was home and chased down the guy to get his car and plate info.

Insurance company is initially saying my truck could be a total loss due to damage, mileage over 100,000 and age. Anyone think my truck will be a total loss?




Frame doesn't look to have taken any damage. If the insurance goes the total loss route I'm thinking about doing the buy back. Does anybody know if it would be a difficult job to remove and replace the bedside panel? Or would it be worth doing the buy back and repairing with parts found at junk yards, etc? I'm the original owner and engine runs great.

Appreciate any feedback and suggestions!

 

Yes i think it would be worth the buy back and fix is rather simple as the bed sides bolt on.

 

Nah I don't think so man

 

Did the bed hit the cab? If frame is not damaged, I'd simply find a take-off bed. I see them pop up once in a while. I doubt that would be totalled but probably cost around $3K to fix.

 

hitch still looks straight, likely frame damange it minimal to nill. I doubt it will be totaled.

That stated, this is why i NEVER park on a street

 

Luckily It was a private citizen that hit you on the street . Where I live you could have your truck in your driveway at your own house, and some off duty cop totals your rig in your driveway there not responsible. It happened where I live and they dont even have to tell you. 1 guy I heard woke up in the morning and his car was gone, calls police thinking his car got stolen. They called him back later that day and said one of our officers hit your vehicle, damaged it badly and we had it towed. Oh and were not responsible for 1 penny of it.
From what I'm seeing that looks mostly superficial. No way that's a total. If it is I'd definitely buy it back.

 

Bed appears to be unaffected.

 

Lawls.... a lawyer will take care of that bullshit right quick.

 

Yeah definitely not totaled, just that back quarter panel... tailgate doesnt even look to be bent, just a few scratches.

 

You mean the cab? I've seen a full beds go for $500-$1K. It's simple easy to take the bed off. Time for a flat bed build? Take a look at the link.

 

In the USA?
Sounds like an urban/suburban legend....

@Kahakai , sorry that happened to you. Hope it’s not totaled and an easy fix for you.

 

don't think it would be a total loss...however if it is, def buy back. replace bed with new one and a few other new parts/paint and bam. good to go

 

Near Syracuse New York. The guy was on our local news bitching about how a off duty cop in a patrol car hit his car in his driveway and the Sheriff's department said there not responsible. The news looked into and supposedly there laws written that protect cops from getting sued in a vehicle accident. Believe me I'm not cool with it and its Bullshit. It's written so even if they caused the accident there still not at fault . Every time I've ever seen a report around here about a cop getting into an accident it's always the other person always hits the cops car. Never not once has it ever been the cop hit the other guy it's always the cops the ones that got hit.Even if they rearend you or drive into the side of you. It's always you hit them.

 

This same damaged happened to my next door neighbor's 2014 Tacoma that was parked on the street. Around 2am driver hit that same corner, car's front end went up the Tacoma's rear tire and flipped the car. Car totalled, Tacoma not totalled.

 

Good job by your neighbor! That chump is screwed for fleeing the scene. I agree with others, it looks pretty fixable to me.

 

Getting a new OEM rear bumper to align well is going to be an issue for sure. You can probably fix it with a torch and small sledge hammer.
Frame damage between the wheels is much more of an issue. If something is bent -- it's just bumper supports

 

Brand new bed sides are only like $600 bucks, buddy of mine just bought some.

 

Bumper mod next?

 

It’s true there is a VTL law protecting police vehicles , fire vehicles , ambulances, and town/city/state plow vehicles. They are at ZERO fault even if there is a fatality. Unless they are operating the vehicle at an extreme level of recklessness. Additionally the law states they are all allowed to violate pretty much all traffic laws. Ask me how I know all this BS after a town plow damaged my property and the town pretty told me where I can go...

Good luck OP! It’s a shame...

 

i work for an insurance agency and i have claims experience. the damaged may or not be a total loss, depends on your claims rep. i can tell you that if it is declared a total loss, you could be looking at a higher premium than before, or your current insurance agency may elect not to insure it. so check into that before you do buy back.