Once while waiting in line at a carwash, I asked the guy who asks you what you want and puts the ticket under your wiper if they ever have cars smash into each other on the device that pulls them through the wash. He said rarely, but that much more frequently, employees get into unfamiliar cars with wet shoes, hit the wrong pedal, and wham. They have insurance that expects it to happen from time to time.

 

Yeah i don't know about the airbag thing, but I'm glad they didn't go off, because that probably could have totaled the truck...haha. those things are freaking expensive. I'm still waiting to hear back from the carwash owners insurance company and then we should be getting the ball rolling on this soon. Is there anything I should specifically ask for of the insurance company or watch out for? I've never really dealt with a situation quite like this but i know not to agree to anything until i'm sure they aren't trying to screw me.

 

Hmm... $3200 seems really low. If you go all OEM for hood, fenders, head lights, grill, front core support, etc... you'd be over $1500 easy. Putting the front end together and painting by a professional shop should be $1500 +. Plus you've got a $500 bumper. That's assuming there is no frame damage or "hidden" issues. Have your checked into diminished value??? The insurance company should pay you something for that... as your truck will never sell for as much since it's been wrecked (it will show on carfax report).

I would find the best body shop around and have them estimate it before coming to a settlement. As far as getting a check... That's what all the insurance companies do. Honesty, I would not be surprised if the repairs done right (to OEM) by a highly rated shop were over $5000. To me... the best idea would be to have a shop do the repairs. Unless you really know body / paint work.

Best to you.

 

This is over $2000.00

From this thread: 4runner 1 Ranger 0

That's just a new hitch and bumper with touching up paint on the hatch and a ding under the light.
Did you get your own estimate from a Toyota dealer? Might not hurt to get more estimates.

 

just from recent experience...my friend hit a new a4 in his lifted jeep (33's) and his tire rubbed her bumper....they got 3 estimates for it...they were: 1100, 1500, and 1800. he was on the other side, being the one that did the damage (insurance covered it) but the moral of the story: shop around.

 

Any updates on this?

 

Yep, sorry guys. It's been a busy 2 weeks, i'm about to graduate college and i've been dealing with this and i just haven't had a whole lot of time to get on here. Final price is still unknown yet because upon further inspection the headlight on the passenger side was cracked as well, also the frame bolts on the bottom of the bumper brackets ripped out on one side and in the process stripped the threads in the frame. It looks like everything might end up about $4000 or so depending on what else they discover while working on it. Work has already begun on it, and basically the only thing holding up the progress is going to be the TJM, because apparantly they are short-handed right now and the bumper may still be another week out. The old TJM looks salvageable as it only has one small dent in it and also needs new bumperettes and mounting brackets, so it will probably be up for sale soon at a good price but we'll see. I'm going on vacation to California on the 9th and i'm hoping that the TJM gets here soon so i can see the truck before I leave. I'll keep you guys updated!

 

Sorry to hear about this Jon! that sucks! so what are you driving in now? Do you still have a rental?

 

im interested. are ya bringing it to ca?

 

Yeah I actually at least got a Toyota rental car. They gave me a 2004 Carolla, but then the brakes went out on it yesterday so I had to get another car and then got upgraded to a 2006 model. It's pretty much the most bitchin car i've ever driven, oh what a feeling!

 

dang, you should ask for an FJ cruiser!!

 

Whos doing the work on your rig? Are you using all Toyota parts?

 

Carolina Paint and Body about 30 minutes from me is doing the work, i've used them before and they do awesome work. All new body panels are OEM Toyota parts, i ordered them myself so I know they are.

 

teh updates?

 

Update
I'm in Cali for my graduation celebration (just got back from Vegas, that was crazy). But the bumper came in today (Friday) and it should go on Monday. I get back on Thursday and it should be done before then. I think I have enough extra cash to do the locker, winch, and the new leather seats, so the truck should be looking nice here soon, I'll keep you guys up to date as soon as I get back and get everything in order.

 

That's awesome. I think this may have been worth it...

 

wow. yea seriously congrats on several things. thats awesome.

 

wow.... why cant some idiot run my truck into a building.... had some crack head woman run into my ARB head on in a 30mph combined speed wreck, bumper held up just fine, got pushed in but no where near like yours. read your other thread, atleast your getting taken care of, any word back from TJM?

 

I've been on vacation and haven't even had the time to write TJM yet so that will happen soon. But everything is taken care of it looks like pics are in this thread so check them out and let me know what you think guys.