Accident advice- this happened

Hi guys, pictures below, I hit the truck in front of me, another truck hit me from behind. The truck I hit took off and didn’t want to deal. Anyway, what does this damage look like to you? I was already contiplating trading it in for a new truck before the accident. Do they take trade ins in this condition? Do I repair first? I don’t think it’s totaled but who knows what insurance will say, I gotta call them after work.

 

Btw I now understand why they call it a damage multiplier lol

 

Where are the pictures of the rear end damages?

 

Fix her up and trade her in. Hope you were not injured

 

They often are, but it appears that yours actually mitigated the front end damage.

 

You can turn it into a 4x4 off road truck for off roading... and get a new Tacoma as DD.

All you do is take that bumper off and get new grille... buy new full size bumper from any off road company.. you are good to go.

Up to you.

My truck will be converted into an off road/camping truck once I am finished with adding stuff to it. I plan to get another later.

 

Thanks guys. No one was injured. No damage to the back because I have one of those steps installed and it did damage to the poor guy behind me.

Honestly I’m not familiar with the process so I wanted to ask, I’m just wanting to do the best thing possible and get advice without companies giving me advice that’s best for them

 

Take insurance check, and get a full aluminum bumper from C4 or CBI. plastic bumper was a mistake from Toyota. not good for anything or anyone.

 

I agree take the check and upgrade

 

Don't know about your location, but in my region if you were unable to stop in time and hit the truck ahead, then it's your fault. If the truck you hit wasn't concerned about whatever damage you caused, then you're off the hook for that. If the truck that hit you from behind did so because they couldn't stop in time, then it's on them for any damage to the rear of your truck. HOWEVER, if it were a chain reaction that started from behind all of you (i.e. someone hit the truck behind you, pushed it into yours, which then pushed yours into the truck in front of you), then it's all on the driver that started the chain reaction.
If it were me, I wouldn't file a claim on my vehicle policy because they'll make it back in future policy premium increases. Besides, your deductible will take a bite out of any check you get from your insurance.

 

take the check and buy some upgrades. whoever is at fault did you a favor by forcing you to get rid of that ugly bull bar

 

Go with an ARB... Best bumper on the market

 

Ummm… unless you have more damages to show, this appears to be a damage to your aftermarket bumper. It looks like you also need to change your grill and that plastic bumper. What’s the rear look like?

 

what you trading it n for…..

 

Ehhh I mean ya sure , you can’t go wrong with arb. But I don’t know , full aluminum , saves a lot of weight. Plus how are the truck photos going to look on Instagram?

 

Probably a true statement, but have you seen an ARB on a third gen?

Barf.

 

My wife had the same thing happen CHP said if the vehicle that caused her front end damage left the scene he wouldnt file a report. Hit and run is what he called it. On the freeway LOL!

 

So?

... but those bumpers work very well at off road park with trees. ARB engineers are smart.

 

Guy that posted it has a first gen. ARB on a first or second gen looks far and away better than it does on a third gen.

Just replying to a guy who has a different truck and maybe hasn't seen how ridiculous it looks on a third gen. Not arguing about their quality.

 

My recommendation:

Fix it on your own. If you report it the claim will go under your Collision coverage and you'll be charged a deductible, plus your premium will increase for 3 years. You'll have to file an SR22 with the DMV of over $1000 estimated damage, which means a point on your driving record.

My $0.02 is that it's not worth getting insurance involved. The dude that bailed did you a solid by disappearing, that saved you the "oh my back oh my neck" drama that usually ensues from these incidents.

After the truck is fixed, then decide what you want to do with it.