Well, the worst stretch of highway 270 here in St. Louis got me. I was stopped in the far left lane in traffic for a few seconds, look in my rear view mirror and see a late model suburban barreling down towards the truck. I quickly reached over, grabbed my daughter sitting in the middle seat, and BOOOM! - got hit BAD. The impact slammed the truck forward into the truck in front of me and blew the air bag. Daughter is ok, I'm just burned on my arm from the airbag, but the truck A MESS in the back, and front end.

The bed of the truck is pushed in a whole lot, prob need a whole new bed. The bed hit the cab and dented it as well, you can see the gap in the driver's door is closer, and there's crumpling on the passenger side as well. The bed buckled and split on the drivers side on the wheel well. The front end bumper, and grills will need to be replaced as well as the cracked fog lights from the accident (not really, but I'll claim it anyway).

I dont want this totaled - since it's going through the other guy's insurance, is there any way for me to get my truck back???? Can I tell them I want it fixed and not totaled?

I know a few people here have been in similar situations (it SVCKS) and was hoping for some input...

The 12 second daily driver is probably going to be temporarily replaced with a 22 second beater until whatever happens

Any hope for me?

Thanks!!!

 

Basically after a visual inspection by the insurance adjuster, he will determine the approx dollar to repair the vehicle. If that dollar amount starts approching the value of the vehicle, they will want to total it. For example, suppose a car is worth $20,000, and after a visual inspection it looks like it may run $16, to $17 k to repair, they will probably want to total it. the reason is that if you can see that much damage, and then they start to repair, they may find another $4 to $5 k in hidden damages. So all of a sudden the insurance company is paying say $23 k to fix when the vehicle is only worth $20 k. so it all depends on the cost to fix versus what the vehicle is worth. As those two numbers get close to each other, the insurance co. will just bail out and total it

 

IMHO, based on treating many hundreds of patients who've been in wrecks, it looks like this:

Your ins. co. will look for a # close to 90% of value (is your policy "fair market" or replacement - it's IMPORTANT TO KNOW)
if it IS a total, you can still buy the salvage and fix it, but you will only have a "salvaged" vehicle - it'll be stamped on the title forever. Also, check if they DO want to repair it, if they are/can us foriegn/ non OEM parts... too bad about the wreck, and bummer the airbags went off - that'll add 1-2k to the repair bill. hope your chiropracter checks you both out - your gonna feel like crap for 10-14 days as it is, but ya gotta make sure the alignment's ok on you both (shameless self promotion).

b

 

Correct cabraco,
they will usually want to repair until the cost approaches 80% of the value of the vehicle. A truck is much more repairable than a car because it has a full frame, but it will still cost a bundle to fix it. Even if they total the truck, you can buy it from them. They will tell you how much the buy back is. Then they will deduct that from the check that they write you. Hope this helps, any pics?

 

The main thing is your Daughter and you are OK. I'm sure it was scary when you looked in the mirror and knew you were about to get creamed having her next to you. Thank God you are both here to talk about it.

As for the Truck, it's in the Insurance Company's hands now.
I hope it works out for you, and if they do pay to fix it, now is the time to consider custom paint, some new rims to replace the ones damaged in the accident and my email address to sell me your old ones

If mine ever gets hit, it will look exactly like this

 

Glad to here everyone is OK. When that type of accident happens in my area, 80% of the time it involves someone talking on a cell phone.

 

I'll snap some pics tomorrow and post them... I'm hoping that since it wasnt my fault and the damage looks to be under $20k that I'll be able to keep it... and MY insurance company doesnt have to foot the bill

Salvage or not, I want my truck back

Rob_02Lightning: heh - It's too bad my rims werent ruined in the accident - prob would have sold em... But it looks like about 60% of the truck will be repainted (the back of the cab, bed, bumpers.. Maybe i could work out a deal with the autobody place and have them sponsor me <free advertising, great looking paint job> Anyone ever have luck with sponsorship like that?

Thanks everyone for the info... Pics coming...

 

Why don't you just take the cash and get a new truck? Do you have any pictures of the accident?

 

rice kicker: No pics yet... Unfortunately the bank still owns the truck, so if it's totaled - I'm skrewed ...dunno what would happen if it was a total loss - I'd be out quite a bit

 

Why would you be skrewed, and why would you be out quite a bit, and where is your truck? I'm really missing something here.

If my truck gets totaled (sure hope not), then I would be in a brand new truck (although mine is brand new).

 

Max, where on 270 did this happen? The 70 and 270 interchange claimed the life of a senior high school girl (that my son went to school with) a couple of weeks ago. She got slammed into by a delivery truck while she was stopped also. Sorry to hear about your L, but at least there were no serious injuries. You can replace your vehicle, but you can't replace a human life.
Bob

 

That truely sucks, Iam just glad you and your daughter are ok. Maybe go to where the truck is being stored , slid the watchman a few bucks, and damage the wheels too. Get a nice set of aftermarket for what Ford would want to replace the stockers.
Good Luck in getting this resolved.

 

Hey Jeff.. Long time no see. Sorry to hear about your L man. Drop me a line sometime.

-Mark

 

 

OUCH!