Truck might be totaled - Not sure what to do

Forder · 01-21-2010, 10:36 PM

So last month, Dec. 5th to be exact, some asshat in a 2009 Mercades (still with temp plates on it) rear ends my wife while she was driving the truck down the highway nearby. It was starting to snow pretty heavily and the road was getting slick so she slowed down to a crawl and was about to pull over because she was sliding a bit and the road is extremely curvy going down the mountainside here. But this guy was still cruising around at least 45 MPH and managed to do a 180° before he slams his ass-end into the drivers side corner of the truck. Fortunately her and her friend weren't hurt at all aside from just a tad bit of soreness from the whiplash. The truck is still completely drivable too, just the corner is bashed in and brake light is gone. The hatch is also stuck closed from the bumper being jammed into it.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to go help her out and had to stay home with the kids while she dealt with the guy and the cops. Had I been there, I would have got the guys information personally so I didn't have to rely on the vague information on the police report. Since he had temp tags/plates on it, I got the dealers insurance info, not his actual insurance info, so it took me and my insurer a month to figure out who to contact to make the claim.

But I got the claim in and their adjuster just came to look at the truck on Tuesday. He pretty much told me it was going to be totaled, but can't confirm it until he goes back to do the estimate and makes sure it's going to be over 70% of what the truck is worth, which is prolly around 2k I guess. Exterior is in fair to good condition and it's got 210k on it with original drive-train. Now I'm not in a position to afford anything better now and I REALLY don't want to get rid of this truck. I've had it for almost 9 years now since I was 16 in 2001. It's the first vehicle I've ever owned and have had many good times (and girls

) in it. It passed the test and torture and abuse of a retarded teenager so it's proved itself a long time ago. This truck has been the epitome of reliability for me since I've had it. AFTER this wreck, I still drove it 1700 miles on Christmas vacation to KY (855 mi one way) and back through that HUGE blizzard that hit West VA and across the east coast on the night of the 18th and 19th. 4x4 got me through literally 100 miles of completely snow/ice covered highway while everyone was sliding back down hills and into the ditches (on the interstate!), it was friggin crazy. This just strengthened my bond with it and makes me want to keep it still.

So when/if he calls me to tell me it's totaled and they're only going to give me ~2k for it, I'm not sure if I should buy it back and fix what I can with the leftover amount, let them take it and try to get another one, or I can buy it back and wait until I go down to KY where my bro is a collision repairman and hopefully he can fix it for a lot cheaper than up here in NY. I've found this Ex right outside post like 5 mins from me and it looks identical to mine with 91k on it and manual hubs. Seems like a great buy and I might go look at it this weekend (I replied to the ad and they gave me their phone # if I decide to come see it).

I should get a call in a few days from their insurance with what they'll give me. What do you guys think I should do? I just can't bare the thought of this thing getting scrapped after all I've been through with it and it's still perfectly drivable AND reliable. But it seems no matter what I do, I'm not going to get enough money to properly replace/repair it too. Is there any way to demand a repair of this even though it'll cost more than the truck is worth?

Sorry for the long-ass story, but I'd REALLY appreciate ANY advice you can give me on the situation.

Here's a couple pics of the carnage:

Cliffs:
- Truck is prolly totaled
- This truck is awesome and I don't want to trash it
- I don't think I'll get enough to get it fixed or replaced
-

**Turdle** · 01-21-2010, 10:53 PM

Don't sign a release until you get your truck fixed or get it replaced with an equally good unit. I am dead serious. Play hard ball. You might even mention to the adjuster all this haggling is making your wifes neck hurt bad, and it never did this before-

so you might have to have her go have it checked out at the ER

Forder · 01-21-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turdle

Don't sign a release until you get your truck fixed or get it replaced with an equally good unit. I am dead serious. Play hard ball. You might even mention to the adjuster all this haggling is making your wifes neck hurt bad, and it never did this before-

so you might have to have her go have it checked out at the ER

This is basically what my dad told me to do too. I'm in the military though so all my families medical stuff is covered anyways, so would that work? I guess they would have to cover the medical bill before my medical insurance would since it was due to the wreck?

*gijoecam* · 01-22-2010, 10:31 AM

Neck pain aside, I would suggest you replace it with one just like it. If they'll let you buy it back for a decent price (since they're just going to scrap it anyways), do it, chop it, tube it, and wheel the snot outta it! You can find a similar one, probably a little bit newer and in decent shape for not much more than you're going to get for it. Also, haggle the value of it as well... That can be debated too.

Good luck with the search. Hope it all turns out!

Oh, and I, too, was out in the east-coast storm that weekend heading from DC back to Michigan in an all wheel drive Mountaineer.... Helluva snowy weekend, wasn't it??

Forder · 01-22-2010, 01:08 PM

Well they just called me and said it's totaled. They valued it at around $1750 and I can buy it back for $75. I sure as hell bought it for $75, so I'm only getting like $1675 for it. It would have been valued at around $2100 if I hadn't already had some small dings in the side and a scrape on the fender. They called me at work and I'm busy, so I didn't want to go into haggling and debating its worth and stuff at the moment, but I think I'm going to call them back after I get off and do that.

My argument is that this vehicle is still perfectly fine for reliable transportation and has plenty of utility left in it. I shouldn't have to be put through any sort of hardship to get it repaired or replaced and that's what's going to happen if this is all they're going to give me for it. IMO they should repair it regardless of what it costs. I didn't ask to be hit by that douche, so I shouldn't be ass'd out with this damaged truck or looking for a $1700 POS that prolly wouldn't make it up the hill to my house. The whole situation is just making me severely annoyed and I really want to just get a lawyer or do anything that will properly compensate for the BS this guy is putting me through.

*arco777* · 01-22-2010, 03:44 PM

Perhaps you can factor in added value from aftermarket parts? Recently replaced tires? Something?

I'd do anything I could to keep it, if it was my X. Even if I had to pay outta pocket to fix it.

Good luck with it, hope they get you the money/repairs you deserve.

XLRVIII · 01-22-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turdle

You might even mention to the adjuster all this haggling is making your wifes neck hurt bad, and it never did this before

We did that when the guy parked his jeep in the truck of her lincoln.
The insurance company crayfished like "no tomorrow".

Till we told them to put us in contact with their personal injury dept so we could begin a claim with them as well.

Tiff had a check in 4 days after that.

DO NOT threaten them with a Lawyer, dont tell them "I have a lawyer" because at THAT point the insurance company wont talk to "you" anymore.

Just tell them your going to begin a PI suit.

LBarr2002 · 01-22-2010, 08:37 PM

Is the frame damaged at all? Its hard to tell in the pics, but it looks like you just need a hatch, bumper, taillight, and a some work below the light. It won't be perfect, but you'd still have your truck. You could probably get everything you need from a junkyard for less than $500, then you've still got some money for paint or upgrades...

Forder · 01-27-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBarr2002

Is the frame damaged at all? Its hard to tell in the pics, but it looks like you just need a hatch, bumper, taillight, and a some work below the light. It won't be perfect, but you'd still have your truck. You could probably get everything you need from a junkyard for less than $500, then you've still got some money for paint or upgrades...

No, the frame wasn't touched at all from what I can tell.

I called my insurance co. (and his too, actually) and they pretty much just said I could do this. It's state law here that once you get past the amount of the vehicles worth in damages, that you have to total it out

. So I guess I'm ass'd out for now and will have to go through the PITA to fix most of it myself and see if a body shop around here will section the quarter panel for me at least for whatever I have left over after getting parts.

I'm really debating on replacing it for now though and just saving it for later when I have my own house and garage to work on it in. I don't get out of the military until next year, so it's gonna be a bit before I get the chance to work on it myself. I've just been through too much with this thing to get rid of it and since it's been nothing but good to me and my family still, so I don't want to get rid of it.

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 01-27-2010, 02:51 PM

dang that sux bout ur x

01-21-2010, 10:36 PM	#1
Forder Wannabe Elite Explorer West Point, NY '94 XLT, '05 Altima 3.5 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 494 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Truck might be totaled - Not sure what to do So last month, Dec. 5th to be exact, some asshat in a 2009 Mercades (still with temp plates on it) rear ends my wife while she was driving the truck down the highway nearby. It was starting to snow pretty heavily and the road was getting slick so she slowed down to a crawl and was about to pull over because she was sliding a bit and the road is extremely curvy going down the mountainside here. But this guy was still cruising around at least 45 MPH and managed to do a 180° before he slams his ass-end into the drivers side corner of the truck. Fortunately her and her friend weren't hurt at all aside from just a tad bit of soreness from the whiplash. The truck is still completely drivable too, just the corner is bashed in and brake light is gone. The hatch is also stuck closed from the bumper being jammed into it. Unfortunately I wasn't able to go help her out and had to stay home with the kids while she dealt with the guy and the cops. Had I been there, I would have got the guys information personally so I didn't have to rely on the vague information on the police report. Since he had temp tags/plates on it, I got the dealers insurance info, not his actual insurance info, so it took me and my insurer a month to figure out who to contact to make the claim. But I got the claim in and their adjuster just came to look at the truck on Tuesday. He pretty much told me it was going to be totaled, but can't confirm it until he goes back to do the estimate and makes sure it's going to be over 70% of what the truck is worth, which is prolly around 2k I guess. Exterior is in fair to good condition and it's got 210k on it with original drive-train. Now I'm not in a position to afford anything better now and I REALLY don't want to get rid of this truck. I've had it for almost 9 years now since I was 16 in 2001. It's the first vehicle I've ever owned and have had many good times (and girls ) in it. It passed the test and torture and abuse of a retarded teenager so it's proved itself a long time ago. This truck has been the epitome of reliability for me since I've had it. AFTER this wreck, I still drove it 1700 miles on Christmas vacation to KY (855 mi one way) and back through that HUGE blizzard that hit West VA and across the east coast on the night of the 18th and 19th. 4x4 got me through literally 100 miles of completely snow/ice covered highway while everyone was sliding back down hills and into the ditches (on the interstate!), it was friggin crazy. This just strengthened my bond with it and makes me want to keep it still. So when/if he calls me to tell me it's totaled and they're only going to give me ~2k for it, I'm not sure if I should buy it back and fix what I can with the leftover amount, let them take it and try to get another one, or I can buy it back and wait until I go down to KY where my bro is a collision repairman and hopefully he can fix it for a lot cheaper than up here in NY. I've found this Ex right outside post like 5 mins from me and it looks identical to mine with 91k on it and manual hubs. Seems like a great buy and I might go look at it this weekend (I replied to the ad and they gave me their phone # if I decide to come see it). I should get a call in a few days from their insurance with what they'll give me. What do you guys think I should do? I just can't bare the thought of this thing getting scrapped after all I've been through with it and it's still perfectly drivable AND reliable. But it seems no matter what I do, I'm not going to get enough money to properly replace/repair it too. Is there any way to demand a repair of this even though it'll cost more than the truck is worth? Sorry for the long-ass story, but I'd REALLY appreciate ANY advice you can give me on the situation. Here's a couple pics of the carnage: Cliffs: - Truck is prolly totaled - This truck is awesome and I don't want to trash it - I don't think I'll get enough to get it fixed or replaced -

01-21-2010, 10:53 PM	#2
Turdle Old and in the way Humboldt, Kansas 2000 Mounty Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 23,745 Vehicle Specs	Don't sign a release until you get your truck fixed or get it replaced with an equally good unit. I am dead serious. Play hard ball. You might even mention to the adjuster all this haggling is making your wifes neck hurt bad, and it never did this before- so you might have to have her go have it checked out at the ER __________________ Jon 2000 Mountaineer Turdle-gone Vitamin D Wagon Sold also

01-22-2010, 10:31 AM	#4
gijoecam Village Idiot Trenton, MI 98 ExSport, '00 F-150 Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 8,348 Vehicle Specs	Neck pain aside, I would suggest you replace it with one just like it. If they'll let you buy it back for a decent price (since they're just going to scrap it anyways), do it, chop it, tube it, and wheel the snot outta it! You can find a similar one, probably a little bit newer and in decent shape for not much more than you're going to get for it. Also, haggle the value of it as well... That can be debated too. Good luck with the search. Hope it all turns out! Oh, and I, too, was out in the east-coast storm that weekend heading from DC back to Michigan in an all wheel drive Mountaineer.... Helluva snowy weekend, wasn't it?? __________________ -98 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, K&N drop-in, LEMON in progress! -'00 F-150, mucho mods *"We need to allow Darwinism take it's course and let the idiots weed themselves out of existance."* ~ Rick Horwitz We must believe in free will — we have no choice. ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer I'm not smart, just a resourceful idiot. ~ Me

01-22-2010, 08:37 PM	#8
LBarr2002 Wannabe Elite Explorer Leesville, SC '91 XLT 4x4, '92 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,507 Vehicle Specs	Is the frame damaged at all? Its hard to tell in the pics, but it looks like you just need a hatch, bumper, taillight, and a some work below the light. It won't be perfect, but you'd still have your truck. You could probably get everything you need from a junkyard for less than $500, then you've still got some money for paint or upgrades... __________________ '87 Samurai, Dana 44's, 5.89's, spooled '92 XLT and '91 XLT 4x4, both SOLD '04 LJ '01 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4x4 - The Toy Hauler

01-27-2010, 02:51 PM	#10
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport (sold) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15,633 Vehicle Specs	dang that sux bout ur x __________________ 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0 sohc engine. Mods include: dual 40 series flowmasters & high flow k&n air filter & removed silencer & yellow fog lights (sold for $1,800) as of 2-26-12

01-22-2010, 01:08 PM	#5
Forder Wannabe Elite Explorer West Point, NY '94 XLT, '05 Altima 3.5 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 494 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well they just called me and said it's totaled. They valued it at around $1750 and I can buy it back for $75. I sure as hell bought it for $75, so I'm only getting like $1675 for it. It would have been valued at around $2100 if I hadn't already had some small dings in the side and a scrape on the fender. They called me at work and I'm busy, so I didn't want to go into haggling and debating its worth and stuff at the moment, but I think I'm going to call them back after I get off and do that. My argument is that this vehicle is still perfectly fine for reliable transportation and has plenty of utility left in it. I shouldn't have to be put through any sort of hardship to get it repaired or replaced and that's what's going to happen if this is all they're going to give me for it. IMO they should repair it regardless of what it costs. I didn't ask to be hit by that douche, so I shouldn't be ass'd out with this damaged truck or looking for a $1700 POS that prolly wouldn't make it up the hill to my house. The whole situation is just making me severely annoyed and I really want to just get a lawyer or do anything that will properly compensate for the BS this guy is putting me through.

01-22-2010, 03:44 PM	#6
arco777 Elite Explorer Anchorage, AK / Little Rock AFB, Arkansas 2x 1994 4x4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,124 Vehicle Specs	Perhaps you can factor in added value from aftermarket parts? Recently replaced tires? Something? I'd do anything I could to keep it, if it was my X. Even if I had to pay outta pocket to fix it. Good luck with it, hope they get you the money/repairs you deserve.