Happy Birthday to me...not

Tuesday was my birthday and I celebrated it by getting rear-ended in the Tacoma entering into a construction zone where the lanes reduced to a single lane. I was stopped in traffic and the woman behind me slammed into my truck fast enough to set off her air bag.

Tagged my trailer hitch dead on with her bumper and hit the tailgate with the hood. Bent the bumper down and, yes, there's a least a slight bend in the frame on the right side based on the initial look at the body shop.

The good news is that my Garmin camera caught the minute before and up to the impact where I'm clearly at a dead stop behind another stopped car entering into the construction zone

At this point, I'm not sure what will happen. I take it into the shop on the 14th and they'll strip it down to see if there are any other bends or cracks in the frame. If it's just the small bump in the frame, that's fixable. Not sure the insurance company (USAA) will go for a frame replacement if it needs it based on cost. Tacoma parts are at a premium - the shop owner said he's seen Tacomas totaled for less than $14K in damage.

I love this truck. Damn.

 

Faired pretty well. Time for a steel bumper

 

Sorry, I don't think there are any Toyota approved frame repairs, from a safety standpoint. I know it can be done, not saying it can't,,, many don't want to, as they would hold that liability for occupant safety.
Glad everyone is okay. IF the frame is really bent, start to make plans for a vehicle in the coming week or months.

 

@Devious6
Oh no! I'm sorry this happened.
Had to be a Ford driver...
I remember When you got your taco, and I know how much you've enjoyed it!

I hope the damage is not too bad amd you are able to get on with it!

Best of luck!

 

Damn Colonel that sucks. Hope you are okay and can get her back in action soon. If she’s totaled the price of Gen 3’s have risen significantly lately so take that into account.

 

Glad you are OK! Get a medical exam even if you feel ok - some neck and soft tissue issues show up later.

 

Glad to hear you’re not injured. Truck is likely toast……

 

I was in almost the exact same accident. My 16 taco and a 2010 expedition. Similar damage except my hitch put a hole through their radiator and hit their engine block.
Either way, it was only about 5k in damages

 

What a bummer!

 

So sorry this happened to you Mark, I remember the agonizing wait for it to be delivered.

Glad nobody was hurt.
Probably best to have a medical check.

 

Bummer, Deev.

But happy birthday. You made it! Looking good!

 

Happy birthday. Glad you are ok. That doesn’t look like much damage at all, but we’ve seen how well third gen’s fair up to the rear impacts. Just sucks. So many cars in way worse condition out there on the road being driven daily.

 

Happy belated @Devious6 (Col).

That's a terrible birthday event...Geeze!

You should get a 4th Gen now...just sayin'.

Glad you are OK and making the best of this situation.

 

One of the best and cheapest investments any truck owner can make is a trailer hitch (regardless of whether you plan to tow anything), for precisely that reason. Years ago, I was driving a Ford Explorer and got rear ended by a Ford Fiesta, which nailed my trailer hitch straight on. My rear bumper had minor cosmetic damage, but the Fiesta's front end and radiator crumpled like an empty soda can.

 

My tailgate, taillights, bumper, and tow bar all got smashed unfortunately

 

That really blows, I'm sorry. I have to ask what Garmin were you using?

 

Sorry to hear that. At least you weren't hurt. Trucks can be replaced. People can't.

 

It is a DC Mini.

 

Dammit, that’s terrible. Glad you are ok.

HBD belated.

 

That sucks sorry to hear that …off topic that last photo with the cop in it she flipped u off taking the photo with her lol