Is it totaled?

My 2011 access cab SR5 automatic was rear ended last week. I was at a stoplight and the other driver, an out-of-town insurance adjuster in a rental car wasn't paying attention and hit me at speed.

I reported the accident to my insurance company and they say that the truck is totaled. The rear bumper is crumpled, the tailgate needs replacing, the left rear body panel is deformed and it's possible that the bed has shifted a bit.

The truck is otherwise in good shape with 71K. My insurance company says that they think the value of the truck is $12,500. I can't buy an equivalent truck for that much. I've also reported the accident to the other drivers insurance company. It is self-insured by the rental company. Of course they aren't returning my calls.

I'm pretty frustrated, not to mention, sore from the accident. Any thoughts?

 

Post some pics of the frame. Did the bed hit the cab?

Good luck!

 

Let your insurance company fight it out that's why you pay the big bucks and get a personal injury attorney too. Hope you got a police report

 

A claims adjuster?..

I would get after his insurance company.
The rent a car company ain't gone pay squat.
Talk to your insurance company, tell them what happened.
Let your insurance co handle the claim.

 

If all that's damaged is in those pics, it's not totaled. Also, I'd think your truck is worth more than $12,500.

 

First, go to the doctor to get checked out.

Then provide your insurance with some listings for comparable trucks to prove that $12.5 won't get you in a replacement.

Don't sign a settlement and don't accept funds until you are comfortable with the amount you are getting.

 

Don't sign anything!!!!!take it to a good collision shop not a chain shop.Ask about frame damage.Does it drive straight?air bags go off? Need more info. Glad you are fine...

 

Do the above - let a lawyer handle it especially if U R hurt - U both will have enough $$ for a truck.

 

That is a 5 lugger isn't it? 12,500 could be a good number for a 5 lug Tacoma.

But I agree with the others, do not accept anything or sign away your rights until you are happy.

 

Not sure about the fine part. I have headaches pretty much all the time since the accident happened. The airbags didn't deploy.

Body shops say that the frame may need to be straightened. The impact was on the back left side. There is disagreement about whether or not the pickup box hit the cab. In any case, the box appears to be slightly skewed.

The truck drives fine.

 

It's close to the KBB price but looking for another Access Cab SR, I'm not finding anything of the same year (2011) and mileage (71k) for much less than $19,000 within 250 miles of here. And, I've not seen a single other truck advertised in the especially awesome green color.

 

12,500 seems pretty low to me as well considering a good amount of first gens are being sold at that price. Yours being a 2011, I think around the 17-19k is much more reasonable.

Coot

 

Insurance companies don't care about the "Tacoma tax" or perceived value of Tacomas in the open market. All they care about is the low end of book values and that a certain % of that value is needed in repairs = too much (totaled)

First thing to do is get to a Dr.

Second is to find a lawyer with lots of experience in this area. Should be easy in Tally, which is full of lawyers.

Third, since you are still driving the truck, get an estimate from another repair shop with a great reputation. Not on 'totaling' but their cost to repair, and more specifically what needs to be done to make a correct repair.

Good luck!

 

Bluebook is a starting point. The insurance will pay what it costs to get into a comparable replacement vehicle. OP, do your homework and provide listings to the insurance company...they will increase their payout on the vehicle.

 

As others have stated, find a good lawyer.

Ask friends, co-workers, anyone you know for a good lawyer.....doesn't need to be one that specializes in car accidents....just a good one. Call him/her and ask them if they handle your type of case. If they don't, ask for a recommendation. Good lawyers know good lawyers.

If there is frame damage, I'd fight tooth and nail for a total loss at a dollar amount I felt comfortable with....that truck will never be the same. If you don't want a total loss, do your best to get paid for "diminished value" of the vehicle. It's difficult, but it can be done. That truck will not be worth what the exact same truck will be worth that's never been involved in an accident no matter how well a body shop fixes it.

Lastly, insurance companies suck.....all of them. There isn't a good one out there. Their only goal is profit. That statement might not ALWAYS be true, but I recommend that mind set as you deal with this.

 

It is a 5 lug. Not 4X4 or Prerunner even.

 

Hey. #5lugsmatter

 

Been a while since I rented a car, but I thought you have to show proof of insurance to rent a car? Also, should've got his info so you can sue the driver for bodily injury.

 

Fight them for it... im dead serious! They told me that my truck was only worth 10K... i ended up with 16.5K.... Also you can get more than Bluebook. They are supposed to give you what it would cost to replace the vehicle with a comparable truck of same size and style.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/well-this-sucks-totaled.385101/