Tacoma Rear Ended on the Highway

Hello All,

I've been reading through a whole bunch of threads on TacomaWorld since buying my Tacoma. First for upgrade and mod ideas and now more recently for rear end collisions. This is my first post. And sorry for the long post in advance, lol.

I recently purchased a 2015 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport (Automatic) about a month ago, I've been driving it as my daily commuter for three weeks now. It was very gently used, looked brand new and only had 54,000 km (33,554 miles). It wasn't taken off-road and the previous owner was a 60 year old grandmother.



Unfortunately, while driving on the highway on my way to work on Tuesday I was rear ended. Luckily, NO ONE WAS INJURED. Traffic came to a stop on the highway, I was able to come to a complete stop and then a few seconds later bang! I don't know how fast the cars behind me were going. Apparently the car behind me was also able to stop and then the car behind them hit them, pushing the car into me. Both of the other two vehicles couldn't start after the collision.

My truck stood up very well compared to the other vehicles, but I fear there could be damage to the frame. The trailer tow package would have taken a large amount of the force from the collision, transferring it to the frame. I was able to drive away from the accident and am able to use it to drive to and from work still, but I am noticing a shaking while at highway speeds and an occasional noise while the engine shifts (more below).



I live in BC, so every driver needs to go through ICBC car insurance. I was found 0% liable and my deductible will be covered. I have an appointment on Saturday with an approved auto body shop for an estimate on damages.


So far the things I've noticed that have been damaged are:

Bumper, Trailer Hitch and Electrical damage

Left & Right brake light covers look cracked

Left back side panel paint chip & bend to panel or fender (rubber seal not flush)

Tailgate dent & lock not locking (pop and lock without key hole, just controlled by fob)

Gaps between box and cab are not even

Shakes when @ highway speeds (passenger seat bounces around 115-120+ km/hr (~71-75+ mph).


Other things I want checked are:

Check alignment and seat mounting brackets and pivot.

Check for any bends in the frame and in bumper, hitch and spare tire mounts. Check thrust angle and if frame has “diamonded”. Use frame inspection machine, ask for frame measurement report. I believe I read on TW that "Toyota doesn’t suggest frame repair, but to replace if damaged".

Check if bed dented cab and if unaligned (I couldn’t see any dents but cab is unaligned). Check if the bottom of the bed bowed, check underneath. (check bed with long level)

I occasionally notice a light click or clunk or catch when slowly accelerating and it shifts gears. Check motor and transmission mounts. And whatever else might be causing it. Most of the time it shifts smoothly.

Check brake pads, rotors, back suspension and leaf springs. Was completely stopped with brakes on when hit, stopped two cars.


I will also be asking for only OEM replacement parts. I'll be looking at a diminished value claim. And asking about other aftermarket bumper and electrical connection options.


I crawled around underneath looking for any frame damage, but couldn't see anything obvious. I took pictures of parts of the frame and things that looked unusual.




The cap that looks popped out is attached to the gas tank I think, I'd have to look again.

Is there anything else I should be looking out for or ask to be checked?
I have extra coverage for encase the truck was in a major accident and totaled.

Thanks.

 

The pictures didn't go full size.

 

Welcome to the forum Robert on a shitty note.
Glad nobody was injured.
Lots going on there. Hopefully the insurance company and shop estimate are done right.

 

something doesn't look right between the gap of the bottom of the cab to bed and the top of the cab to bed.

 

Visually, frame looks fine. Obviously the back bumper got smooshed into the bed, and it looks like the bed was pushed forward a bit. Needs a new back bumper cover, loosen the bed bolts to shift the bed back where it belongs, and a little bit of body and paint where the bumper damaged the bed sides.

When there is frame damage, it usually means that there is crumpling in the frame between the hitch mount bracket and rear spring hanger, and on yours, it looks perfectly straight.

 

Thanks for the replies

 

While we appreciate the story, images, and are here for you....the internet never helps much in these scenarios.

Take it to whichever body shop you trust the most (insurance be damned) and get verification the frame is good and what else needs fixed or replaced.

If you want to use the incident to your advantage maybe see just how much the new rear bumper costs and see if upgrading to a steel one or the like is in the cards...if that is even your flavor.

 

Yeah, because next time you want to make sure it bends the frame instead of the bumper

 

I got popped in the trailer hitch by a prius a few months ago. The damage to my truck looked minute and the damage to his front bumper was basically just a hole punched in his bumper. Nonetheless, the impact tweaked my frame and a total frame replacement was paid for by his insurance.