Valet damaged my 2002 Explorer; tow bar crooked

[twoeditorz]

A parking-garage valet rammed my Explorer into four (yes, 4) other cars. The carnage is incredible, and I can't imagine how fast he must've been going in reverse. In addition to my wrecked bumper, the back door is rumpled and can't open. Then there's the tow bar (it came with a factory 1.25" hitch), which is now seriously out of square. What's the likelihood that the vehicle's frame is bent?
We've loved this car, and had planned on driving it for many more years. Plus we really dont want another car payment, but maybe we'll be forced to bite the bullet?
Wish I could figure out how to post the photos here.

 

[shadowless127]

A parking-garage valet rammed my Explorer into four (yes, 4) other cars. The carnage is incredible, and I can't imagine how fast he must've been going in reverse. In addition to my wrecked bumper, the back door is rumpled and can't open. Then there's the tow bar (it came with a factory 1.25" hitch), which is now seriously out of square. What's the likelihood that the vehicle's frame is bent?
We've loved this car, and had planned on driving it for many more years. Plus we really dont want another car payment, but maybe we'll be forced to bite the bullet?
Wish I could figure out how to post the photos here.

I doubt there's frame damage. I suggest you get a lawyer and file suit against the valet company.

 

[jrford]

Good news is the tow bar or hitch is a bolt on piece. You could actually get a class III if you found one. Frame damage is tricky, things to look for: are all the doors OK? Check the body seams to see if any thing shifted, if you can get a factory manual they list the dimensions from a bunch of frame points and you check with a tape measure.

On a side note, i did get rear ended in my heap, girl was doing about 35mph and wham. The heap is unit body so it was a little different, hitch took all the force and got pushed in 6" also crumpled the rear floor, had a nice fold in it. I went to my body shop guy, I asked it would cost if they just pulled it out the best he could, hour on the frame machine it was fixed for $100. Lucky.

You have to be 'elite member' to post pics.

 

[fifthranger]

You have to be 'elite member' to post pics

I thought anyone can post pictures my using photobucket and copy and pasting the link? And, elite members can post directly? I have never posted pics here before, so I honestly don't know. I am quoting what I read on another post about a member trying to post pics.

I suggest you get a lawyer and file suit against the valet company

I would try to handle things with the valet company first. I used to valet, and I know that there are shady companies. However, the company I worked for was fully insured and accidents do happen occassionally. Anyway, try and let the company do the right thing first, and if things don't work out, then sue. I'd call your insurance company first to let them know that your vehicle was involved in a wreck. A good agent/company will call the other party and "pressure them".

 

[corkey]

use image codes, on each end of the link,

 

[twoeditorz]

The seams all over the back half are out of whack. On one side, I can stick my finger in most, and on the other they're about 1/8" wide. And the back fender trim sticks out wide of the passenger door that's next to it, but on the other the door stick out beyond the trim.
Ford mechanic was amazed at the damage and thought, at first look, that the frame is bent. But they're going to take it apart to know for sure. I've always heard that it's impossible to perfectly restraighten a frame. Thoughts?
The valet company is very large and fully insured. They've been nothing but helpful (except for the small detail about smashing my car).
They've provided a rental car of of my choosing - bright spot: we can try different models in case we need to replace ol' blue. (Suggestions? We like the cargo space and reassuring road grip for ski trips, and tight turning radius for parking.)
Problem is $$. Replacement value ($5,000 or so) would buy us someone else's 10-year-old heap. No way. We'll find out the cost of repairs next week, and if they're in the area of $10,000, I would rather put that toward a new one.
You can tell we don't have much experience with this stuff ... We keep our cars a long time, and we have clean driving records.

 

[Triton8273]

You have to be 'elite member' to post pics.

2300 posts and you have been here since 2005 and you make that statement? LMFAO

 

[jrford]

i've always been elite i thought you couldn't post pic's directly without it. might have changed since i joined. External links always worked, until the guy closes the account. No big deal, if OP wants to send pm me a pic i'll post it for him if need be.

Back to the damaged truck, based on your description its bad, very bad. Chances are to bend the body where you describe it, the frame has to be bent too.

Now the good news, they can straighten the frame, its called the 'frame machine'. Or in the FSM you can actually weld new pieces of the frame in. Bad news it might cost more than its worth.