Tacoma Saved my Life - (Help)

Friday I got side swiped by a ford Ranger.
The guy in the Ford Ranger was going 70 and blew his back tire out. He went straight into the center divider and I was in the carpool lane when he hit the wall. As soon as he hit the wall he bounced back and I was only 20-30ft away and I swerved to the right almost 2 lanes, but still hit me with brute force. Luckily my car saved him from rolling and stoped it from hitting other cars. Super bummed my car is messed up, but I'm lucky Im still here able to walk and just minor injuries. I gotta say this truck is tough! The baby was only 3 months old...
I'm talking with my insurance tomorrow, I dont know how I should proceed this. I feel like even if I did fix it, it won't drive the same the frame and the door would work differently. And it barely just hit 3k miles. Anyone have any tips for me? It was 100% his fault and his insurance will cover it. I would rather fight to get a new car if its possible though.
Thanks guys

 

Dang. Glad you're okay. Wishing for the best for you. I don't blame you, knowing that my brand new truck won't 'feel' the same anymore would bother me. Hope you guys what you want!

 

I'd do everything I could to convince them you need a brand new truck.

 

If there is zero frame damage at all, I honestly think its fixable. I would prefer a new truck still, but they may try to fix it.

 

i would also want a new truck. that sucks man; at least you're alright

 

Unless there is some hidden frame damage or severe cab damage they aren't going to total it. Did the air bags go off?

Glad no one was injured!

 

Glad your ok..

That's a tough call. Sense hes at fault you get to pick the body shop to get it repaired at if his insurance "wants" to fix it. So make sure you pick the most fancy and expensive shop around so they have a high quote, better chance of them totaling the truck out after seeing the hidden damages, and cash you out for a new truck. Make sure ALL replacement parts are OEM and brand new! Some insurance company say they use refurbish parts and aftermarket bs. Don't take that from them, simple say you'll get a lawyer involved and that should solve the problem...

I would defiantly want a new truck after that


Good luck. Keep updated

 

Air bags did not go off. Strange but if it did it would have injured me more possibly?

 

I'd push for a new truck too! If the insurance company won't budge and insists on repairing your truck be sure to make a Diminished Value Claim. The future value of your truck will be affected by the accident even if it's repaired "back to new". My personal opinion is that a vehicle is never "back to new" after an accident. There are some posts here on TW talking about diminished value (that's how I learned about it). Good to hear nobody got hurt worse!

 

I understand why you would want a new truck, and I would too with so low of mileage. But as someone who has worked as an insurance adjuster and in collision repair in my past. I have processed and repaired damage way worse than this, with flawless results.

Insist on a shop preferred by Toyota/ Lexus (Not who their insurance company recommends) from the photo, there is probably $11-12K in damage, but I highly doubt the frame was touched or damaged. Most of that truck will be re-sprayed and blended though.

Even if the shop says the frame is not damaged, or their adjuster, insist you want a frame spec printout out of peace of mind.

In the end, I truly hope you are able to get a new truck out of this. But if not, there is absolutely zero to worry about, as long as you seek a reputable repair facility.

 

Thanks guys! I hope the frames not bent, that car hit the side pretty hard tho
I'll keep you guys posted

 

That doesn't look like a total write off to me. I'm guessing they'll be able to fix it.

Only thing you can do is to push to make sure they're using all new parts and Toyota OEM parts. But even then - that doesn't look like a total job.

 

I was hit in a very similar fashion and had what appears to be similar damage, although mine was both doors, bed panel, and rear bumper, my front quarter panel was fine. I want to say it was around $9k worth or damage, so not totaled.

On the cab they just cut the damaged section out instead of replacing the whole side. If they can't do that to yours I could see if being a lot more. That being said, my truck looks and drives like it's brand new after the work, the body shop even replaced a hazy headlight, replaced my front bumper (unrelated damage), fixed an unrelated issue (happened a week after the wreck) with my radiator, and offered to paint all my emblems to match.

Oh, and yes, I felt very safe and my son (1.5 years old at the time) was none the wiser...I looked back after we came to a stop and he was chowing down on some fries like nothing happened. Thankful for that!

 

Ouch!!!

I know EXACTLY where that is (saw the "Alicia Parkway" sign). That's 6 lanes of traffic through there, you got hit from someone in the carpool lane?

I have family that lives not too far from where you were, I drive that corridor all of the time.

I am glad you are OK!! Looks like your Taco is super tough, here's to hoping she gets fixed good! Good luck!

 

I don't think they'll total it. Even if they fix the frame and pay the depreciated value of the car due to the carfax report that'll exist (and will devalue the car) being so new it's going to be tough to get a new truck.

 

Echo the above; It's unlikely they'll total. However you really have to go repair shop-shopping. I learned a long time ago about local shops who will be recommended by THEIR Insurance Company.
From now on I ONLY go to a toyota/LEXUS repair facility which excludes most of the locals, which i found cheat on the frame/alignment parts. (You end up with no printouts and no verification that it's correct - they'll CONVENIENTLY cut corners for their profit...don't mean to offend but been there too many times)
What I found is that the Lexus authorized facilities won't be able to skate around some details. You have frame, alignment, and airbag sensors to deal with and must be tested/replaced for correct operation and to keep your warranty.
But I'll bet a solid facility will be able to put this together easy. With the whole side, you probably won't even notice any paint differences.

 

Looks very similar to when my 2010 got sideswiped by a flatbed. Honestly, the body shop made it look as good as new, but I didn't feel the same about it anymore. I had bought it new, and now it had undergone major damage. I took a big loss, but for me it would have always bothered me to drive it anymore.

For the record, it was over $10,000 damage.

 

pocket the cash and leave it.

 

Ouch that was 10 grand to fix? dang I wonder how much mine would be.
I'm planning on going to toyota of Orange to fix my car. Or Caliber collision and make sure to get all toyota parts. Such a hassle -.-

Wouldn't my insurance help me out on this situation?

 

Your insurance decides if the parts going in are original or not, not the body shop.

Sucks about your truck, but glad you are OK.

And oh, how do you people drive so little? lol. My truck turned 2 months old this past Thursday, I work from home and I hit 4,300 miles this afternoon.