Tacoma Involved in a Hit and Run

Good evening TacomaWorld,

My truck, a 2017 TRD Sport 4x4 DCSB was recently involved in a hit and run this past Friday, meanwhile it was parked and left it in complete shambles. I bought it late 2017 and paid it in full late 2019, and kept the full coverage insurance on it not knowing I would be needing it this soon. Of course the people who hit me, ran off and left no reservation as to whom they might be and to make matters worse no one in a half of a mile radius has cameras installed that face the street. But thankfully, my insurance towed it for me the same afternoon/night to the collision center where it will be assessed at, and got me in a rental (2019 Toyota Camry) without a sweat.

My insurance adjuster finally called today, Monday, stating that he would be doing remote work and he would no longer be able to go to the collision center but rather be assessing the damage via photo/videos provided to him by the collision center. Lastly the insurance adjuster reminded me that "everything is fixable" and to his response I mentioned "even this? How am I supposed to drive this after what its been through?" I get that they are in the business of retaining the most amount money for the company rather than the customer (otherwise deeming it a total loss), but am I wrong for wanting it to be deeming total loss than it being repaired? I'd like any input/feedback.

 

Did they take it to their shop of choice or yours? Either way, wait until you get the estimate. It may go over what is considered fixable.

 

Damn that sucks. Did you file a police report?

 

How did it get hit on the back left side and the front right side?

 

Right front looks like a telephone pole in the very first pic.

 

Talk to the shop doing the work. They may be able to total it if they have a good reputation with the insurance rep. Especially if it’s close to being totaled. Otherwise, take a claim out against the title for the loss on the value.

 

Wow. Must’ve been a really hard hit, I’m surprised the other car drove away fine after a hit like that. Such a bummer.

 

It went to a caliber collision, whom is partners with them. But yeah, his remark made me wonder what steps I could take.

Yes, I filed it have that on-file. The cops were pretty shocked to see the damage on my truck.

 

Then be ready to fight. That company is in cahoots with the insurance company. Find a shop you trust and have them deal with it. When my TJ was rear ended, the other guy's insurance gave a quote of $1400. I took it to my shop(they won't use junkyard parts b/c the owner doesn't want to be held liable for those parts failing). It was a 12K bill. They fought so long, the storage bill ended up being 2.3K. I took the 8.5K(plus them paying the shop bill)offer and walked since the NADA value was right at that. It was a 2002 with 215K miles.

 

Insurance adjuster mentioned that by Wednesday they would have an estimated repair list. Should I talk to the technicians at the shop tomorrow then so I beat them to the punch? And who would I pursue this claim against the title for loss of value? Sorry for asking too much, its honestly overbearing to see my truck in ruins after paying so much and taking care of it so much.

The car in question that hit my car, was speeding on a 15mph zone, and hit my rear end so hard that it pushed it up forward hitting the car in front of it and up onto the sidewalk. Lightpole is there just for giggles.

 

I have to agree with the adjuster here. They have an obligation to act in good faith as your insurance company, but also must determine if they have a responsibility to cover.

From your photos, the adjuster will need to explain how the damage happened.

You did not witness the incident, and so cannot provide anything to help them.

I recommend you answer the questions asked and refrain from providing voluntary information that will just raise suspicion to any kind of insurance fraud. Demanding the vehicle be totalled in your case raises red flags.

 

Bummer man. Can only hope the idiot(s) that did this hit and run get caught and held accountable. My guess, distracted driving(Texting) or DUI. Hopefully karma catches up to them!!
Anyway, sorry about the truck. My opinion is total loss though.....may be wrong though

 

You don’t really get a choice if it’s repaired or totaled, it’s numbers, and since you’re insured through them, they decide what to do with it because they have financial liability.

If it’s fixed, it’s fixed. Emotions don’t get repaired in a body shop, so if you don’t want it after it’s fixed (if that’s the case), trade it in or sell it.

It’s a mechanical and electrical device. Everything can be repaired.

 

No insurance fraud here, but I will take your advice into consideration.
To be sincere, I dont know if I would feel safe in my truck after that hit. While they are materialistic things yes, we all here have paid a pretty penny for these trucks, so sorry If i came off like i wanted a quick check but that is not the case here. It was my daily driver and I was hoping to ride it till the wheels fell off (no pun intended) but I dont think it can make it far after this.

 

No worries man, just saying in a complex case like yours where it happened when you weren't there and there doesn't seem to be witnesses/video, then the best course of action is to wait and see.

If you don't agree with their determination on payout, or even repair, you can raise hell as much as your state, and your patience allows.

From your photos, I can't determine how the damage to your front end passenger side happened, but would guess that the drivers side rear truck damage happened from front to rear based on the red paint transfer.

Saying I can't determine, is not intended to be antagonistic, it just means I can't say with certainty. I have a guess, but can't tell from the photo.

Either way....best of luck.

 

I hear ya. My previous 4Runner was totaled after a pretty serious 50 mph accident (no notable injuries to all parties,) and the second worst part of the whole situation was waiting for my insurance company to determine if they were going to repair or total it. As much as I absolutely loved that truck, there is no way that I would have felt comfortable ever driving its repaired self again. Hope it all works out for the best with you. Not a fun ordeal to have to navigate. What a headache!

 

When I had a similar problem it took three weeks for the adjuster to even look at the thing (Farmers). Then I had to rag on my agent to get a different adjuster out there because the original one would only authorize a tiny amount of money.

Insurance companies can be such scumbags.

 

Dang...I know our Tacos have high value but with the front end damage as well as the damage to the cab I would say probably a Total. Depending on your Insurance Company....Total could be as low as 50% of the Actual cash value. Though many run up to 75 % or higher and used parts are still pretty pricey from junk yards...

 

I wouldn’t worry about it...it’s the insurer job to make you whole again and by the looks of the truck you’ll be getting another one because that one is definitely ready for the junk pile.

 

Hey man from personal experience STAY AWAY from caliber collision. Don’t listen to the claims handler.
It’s your truck not State Farm’s it’s better to get a quote from another shop.
Also if i remember correctly the caliber collision rep told me the damages have to be over $24,000 for the Tacoma to be considered a total loss.