2012 Crashed....Fix or Total ???

If the Geico adjuster is talking total loss payment with you coupled with the video that you have shown, it is a slam dunk that the accident was the fault of the other driver. Your insurance will not be impacted by any aspect of this accident. I strongly encourage you to contact your insurance company. If they are decent, they will help advise you in this matter. If they are good, they will step in to help negotiate a fair settlement. From an insurance perspective I have no idea if $18.5K is a good deal or not, but your insurance company will. I had a similar situation happen to me years ago. T-boned in the side of the car I was driving. Tried to go it alone with the other insurance company. Got the royal run around from them, dragging their heels, low payment offer, etc., etc., Called my insurance company and they stepped in and magically I had a check on the way the next day. There is a reason Geico is full steam ahead on this one and I suspect they know if they settle fast without your insurance involved then they will be better off. Call your insurance company, especially if you have a local office that you deal with.

If you really are afraid that your rates might go up the talk to them "hypothetically" about the situation and see what they say. They will not have policy on the truck shortly anyways if you total it. I am no insurance expert either but my experience drives my recommendation to you.

 

Dang - I'm sorry that happened, man. That's a real bummer. I would be more concerned about resale than if it's "worth it" to get it fixed. Body shops can work wonders and if they can get you a new frame it'll be like new. It's absolutely going to affect your resale though, whether trade in or private. Ask yourself if you would be confident paying someone the same price for a taco that has a record of frame damage compared to one that doesn't - you'd probably have some reservations, regardless of it it was fixed 100% or not.

BUT, it sounds like you've been very happy with it so far. So if you plan on keeping it for a long time and really like the truck, I say fix it and down the road just be prepared to have $3-5k knocked off for the frame record.

Best of luck!

 

I was offerred $18,560 and I'm taking the money. Bye Bye Tacoma. It's been a pleasure.

 

Good luck. Make sure you take your dash cam out of the truck.

 

Bro lawyer up! Let the lawyer fight their insurance company for more money if you think you can get more. Their cut should come out of the settlement. With that dash cam video a lawyer should be able to decide if they want to take your case or not. Most of the time the insurance is just trying to settle before the issues you will find later are found. Once you settle you cant go back for more.

It does look like you are getting the high side of the value of the truck though. Quick KBB value check...

Do not let your insurance pay for anything. They pay their insurance for reasons just like this. There is no reason to contact your insurance unless all other resources have been exhausted.

 

Well, he already accepted a higher offer for one. Secondly, using KBB to determine the vehicle value is not the correct method. And what the hell are you paying your insurance for if you have to go out and hire an attorney to be made while in a settlement (he'd likely come out of it with less than the original offer once legal fees are paid). I would most definitely contact my insurance before throwing money at an attorney...in fact, that's the route I took when I was in a similar circumstance and it worked out nicely for me.

 

Well you pay your insurance to pay for damages when its your fault, or if another vehicle is not involved. When someone else is at fault its not on your insurance to do anything.

When you tell your insurance about the wreck it can/will go on your record. Yes it shows that its not your fault, and usually does not affect your premium, however its still a wreck on your record and can affect your premium with some insurance companies.

 

Definitely talk to your insurance.

I had a similar accident last year, not my fault. State Farm put the screws to Liberty and got my parts replaced with OEM new.

 

I agree with this if you do not want to pursue the lawyer route, and after you have talked to the at fault parties insurance 1st.

 

That accident would be on your record regardless of which insurance you go through.