8 Month-old TRD wrecked. Suggestions?

My 2016 TRD Sport 4x4 was hit this afternoon. It's the first time I've ever been involved in an accident with a car this new. I've filed a claim with my insurance, but not quite sure what to expect or what things to avoid when it comes to body shops. If anyone's gone through something similar, I'd appreciate your input.

 

Ouch! Your best bet is to check with people in your area on their experiences with body shops. Where was it towed to?

Insurance companies are all different, but you can be guaranteed that they will cut corners... they aren't out to help you, they are around to make money. Try to make sure that OEM parts are used, not cheap junk. In the end, there are a ton of variables. And were you at fault or the other driver? I'd make sure you get a copy of the report and make sure it is done correctly.

 

I'm in the SF Bay area (southbay san jose). I'm not native to the area, and I've never needed these kinds of services. The people I know never have either. My insurance pushed for me to have it serviced by their guys but I'm doing as much research as I can before I commit.

It took me a really long time to get a someone from my insurance to take my call (Sunday). Since I couldn't drive the truck, and it was blocking traffic, I let the cops call a tow service. The truck is at a yard now.

I was told the other guy was at fault (uninsured). They let him drive off.

I'll check on the report tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up.

 

As said above ask around for the best shop, it's your choice. Insurance will say that you should go to their preferred shops, that's not usually a good idea.
Let the shop deal with the insurance adjuster, they do it for a living. A good shop will know how to game the system.
Some ins. co. will try to beat you down if you feel this is the case your state ins. commission is on your side if you're being reasonable.
When you look at shops ask if their work is garranteed.
Is that a drive shaft hanging in the first pic.

 

did you have GAP?

 

Uninsured and they let him DRIVE off!
He should have gone to jail, that's how we roll in Ohio.

 

That's crazy that they let him drive off, usually that either jail time or they get towed and have to hoof it....

 

wow uninsured idk quite what to say or how it's handled there. as previously stated be insistent for oem parts. the saddest part is now it'll have a dirty carfax you can persue an award for diminished value but it's an uphill battle and very hard to win. in other words your trying to get them to pay you the difference for the value of the vehicle for what it would have been worth without an accident and what it's worth now it's been in 1. even if repaired spot on just because it's been in an accident it may have just depreciated up to an additional 35%

 

1. Don't think California has diminished value.
2. Fighting your own ins. is a uphill battle. Hope you got a good one, not Progressive or the General.

 

I couldn't believe they let him drive off. I was sure in CA it meant that his car would be impounded. He smelled of weed, and still... got to drive off. Who knows.

I purchased GAP once before on another car... not this time .

The worst thing about this mess considering it was a relatively minor crash (no serious injuries) is the impact it has on the value of the truck.

 

Must have one good impact to cause the driveshaft to separate .

I wonder what other hidden damage it has

What was the other vehicle it was able to drive away??

 

The truck can be fixed or replaced, but no price can be put on your health, so it's good to hear you weren't injured or killed.

 

70's Stingray

 

Damn OP, thats a beautiful truck. Def be careful but make sure whoever you choose guarantees their work, lifetime preferably.

The reason I'm in a Tacoma today is because an unlicense/uninsured driver tboned and totalled my BMW two months ago. I was towed away while his suv bumper cover came off, still drivable. I was in a hurry and quite honestly didn't want to stick around so I asked a cop if the driver was being cited for no license/insurance. He said, all of the above and some. He let me take a picture of the guys green card then I left. I dont know if he drove away but I was 10 payments from paying off the most expensive car id ever bought. I lost 25k all in all from that, luckily I had uninsured motorist coverage and wasn't upside down so my insurance cut me a pretty nice check for it.

 

@grdgz97
If you haven't already selected a body shop, I highly recommend Sturken Auto Body. Had accident damage repaired there a number of times.

 

Thanks but I was simply asking for @atom98

 

You can see exactly what happened -- the other vehicle impacted against the front of the back wheel pressing backward, causing the rear axle to slide rearward relative to the springs. I believe there is a pin that keeps things lined up in there, which must have sheared off.

There may not be any. The damage doesn't actually suggest a significant sideways impact, just inline, which is where the frame is strong.

This kind of a collision would typically not disable the other vehicle.

 

Do you want the truck to be fixed? Or now that it's been in an accident would you like to start over with a new vehicle?

I was in an accident in my old Audi S4 (2005 S4/accident in 2011)... the car was on the brink of being totaled per its value so I googled most expensive Body Shop in San Diego and had the car towed there. You choose where the car gets fixed. Back then I had Geico and they tried pushing aftermarket parts on me. No way! I had the body shop quote repairs using OEM parts, etc. They ended up totaling it. I didn't want a car that had such a significant accident on its record even though I loved the car.

 

who ever hit you should go to jail or have to pay you back. The insurance should cover it. Thats the downside of califorinas illegals without insurance...

 

I know this is an old thread, but I'm curious how this came out for you. I just did similar damage to my truck(body only, not drivetrain) on a concrete pole in a parking lot. Both doors heavily creased, cab damaged, step damaged, and bedside damaged... just wondering what to expect. What was the cost of your repairs?