Another one (almost) bites the dust.

Glad you are ok. I've been hit from behind when stopped one time and it was pretty scary even though I didn't have near the damage you did. You'll be looking in your rearview even more now.

Regarding the truck...........if it was mine I'd do everything possible to get that thing totaled out. No way I'd want to keep it. There are so many things that might show up down the road, even if the body shop does a great job fixing the sheet metal, aligning body lines, matching paint, etc. You could have mechanical issues with the differential, drive shaft, transmission, etc, etc. Keep in mind there was a LOT of shock to your vehicle - enough to bend up the frame the way it did means it could easily have damaged other things you can't see right now.

I've worked on rebuilt vehicles before and running down issues can be difficult because you can't "assume" anything. I fought what I thought was a front brake issue for a while on a GMC Sierra once. After new brake service it was good for a while, but a "warped" feeling in the pedal would return regardless of rotor resurfacing, caliper lube, etc. Turned out the front half-shaft was tweaked from a prior wreck so it wasn't rotating true. Couldn't see it with the naked eye. PITA.

Not to mention if you go to sell or trade that thing in with a "frame damage" note on the title. Forget about it. No one will want it unless they can steal it from you.

 

omg dude...your gif.

 

SOOOOOOO....my frame has arrived at the dealership. 6 weeks to the day of the accident, but Houston, we have a problem....



So when I was first hit, I had the truck taken to a body shop that was right next to the dealership, because I figured they would be totaling it. I had the car moved to the dealership when I found they would be repairing/replacing the frame since it's a new truck. Today that original body shop calls me to say the frame is in at the dealership, and they will be starting repairs on Monday. So it turns out the dealership "collision center" can't handle such a big job (it's a small dealership) and they subbed the job out to the collision center.

@$#*@%^$%^@435!!!!!!!!!!

Not a happy camper. If they would have told me that up front I would have had it taken to one of the large dealerships in the area that I'm sure have full collision centers. I wanted a dealership to do the work to rule out any warranty issues down the road if I decided to keep my Tacoma. Looks like I won't be keeping it now. I'll probably trade it in for Tundra and then collect that diminished value check.

 

Well, that stinks!

Tundra, huh? Are you gonna put armor bumpers around for possible repeat offenders? lol

Ed

 

Well if they haven't started yet you could tell them to hold up on the repairs, then try and find a dealership who could do the work and be willing to pick up the truck/frame?

It's hassle, but nothing's been done yet so if you're motivated it may be possible to work it out.

 

Best wishes on your health and the truck.

 

Is that the dump Bed Edition?

 

I would think since your Toyota Dealer subb’d this job out to the body shop next door, Toyota will guarantee the work. They probably do this all the time on larger jobs.

If it were me I’d find-out the details of the warranty and look at some reviews on this body shop.

 

Unfortunately they had have already started the work, even though they said they were starting on Monday in the voicemail they left earlier in the day. I called GEICO to pitch a fit (sat on hold for over an hour) and when they called the shopped they had already started disassembling my truck. So yeah, it is what it is at this point. UGHHHHHHHHH

 

See post #48. Toyota will take care of you.

 

Ouch. If it were me, I wouldn't keep the truck after they fixed it.

Good luck H-A

 

I'd go after the other drivers cell phone records.
I got a crisp $1.00 that says they were texting just before it happened.

Too bad auto's don't have some invisible laser beam that surrounds it so no texting can
occur unless it's in Park. Hmmmm... let's work on that shall we?

 

Put that function on phones instead so that all phones are not able to text while in motion. I've never needed to text while I'm driving. That kinda goes with the 'philosophy' of texting: you answer and respond when you want to, generally... you know... later when convenient.

Hey OP, what about getting the frame fixed then go flatbed?

 

Truck is getting a complete new frame. Have to see how it rides after before I make any plans. Last vehicle I had repaired after an accident was never right, and I got rid of it after 6 months. That's why I'm leaning towards trading it in on a new Tundra, since the dealers here actually have them in stock.

 

As soon as they hand you the keys back, sell that truck or trade it in before it shows up on the carfax.

 

Is that ethical?

 

Technically you're still obligated to disclose any major issues that could affect value whether it's on the Carfax or not. People, however, feel it's ok because it's a dealership they are screwing over, and turnabout is fair play. Problem is the poor guy who buys it and has no clue is the one that gets screwed in the end.

 

This. Long ago I worked for a small business that would disconnect the odometers on their fleet stuff and figure "oh well it's the dealer, they screw enough people"..

 

Dealerships sell used cars as-is and when you sell yours to them it is also as-is.
The dealership has the due diligence to inspect the car they are buying.
Anything “major” is all in the eye of the beholder. According to the insurance company it was only a “fender bender” since they did not total loss the truck out.

 

The bodyshop will report it. And technically yes you’re obligated by law to do so.

“minor accident”