Rear Ended…

Hey guys. So I was rear ended in my 2022 4Runner. Lady hit us going 45, we were at a red light and took my foot off of the brake a split second before she hit us so the impact wasn’t 100%. Anyway, my concern here is frame damage. I didn’t get pics up close because I didn’t think to, but the hitch is very slightly bent. She doesn’t have insurance, but my insurance is covering everything. My question here is about the frame. It didn’t look damaged up the sides of the vehicle, but the areas on both sides of where the hitch is attached have some damage. Tell me everything I need to know when dealing with bent frames, things I should be prepared to know, and things to ask my body shop about.

Side note - I still owe 30k on my baby. So my concern with pushing for a total is that i know they’ll pay off the loan and then I will only get the remainder of what’s left to go towards a new one. So I’m trying to weigh my options here….

thanks you guys!

 

I'm so sorry. It's painful to look at.

 

I would think that once the rear bumper is pulled off, it would be pretty easy to see how much damage, if any, there is to the frame. Assuming no frame damage, rear hatch door, taillights, new bumper cover and possibly rear towing harness, and possibly rear frame member and spare tire hanger. Otherwise it doesn't seem that bad. But, from the picture I can't tell if the rear pillars are bent in any manner.

 

Hopefully you and your passengers are all fine, that's most important! We ended up in our 4R because our Mercedes was totaled. Given your pics, it's difficult to say but it could get close to totaled, in which case, it may be best if it does and you just move on into a different vehicle. I know I didn't want our car repaired after the damage, even if it could have been (although ours was side and not rear, which I'd be a bit less concerned with but it will still lower resale if you ever sell/trade in) I wouldn't have felt comfortable. I'm praying for the best outcome for you!

 

If no one was hurt consider it a win, regardless of repairs or total. Mine is in the shop with front end damage that is all cosmetic so I sympathize. It should be easy for the shop to determine if there is frame damage and if, if so, whether it can be repaired or not. That’s why we pay for good insurance. I’ve already decided that when mine is done I’ll decide whether to keep it for another 300k miles, at which time an accident won’t even matter, or just sell it, take the hit and replace it with either the Gen 6 or the new Land Cruiser. Bottom line, glad you’re ok.

 

If there is no frame damage, they will fix it.

 

I mirror everyone in saying, yall are ok. So, that's the win there.
There doesn't seem to look like frame damage, but looks are deceiving. The hitch is still sticking out the middle pretty straight in the pics..........again, from pics and not bumperless, etc. With no frame damage, this will be repaired.

 

Thanks guys! Yes, 100% glad we are ok. The Camry that hit us pretty much crushed in half - glad she’s ok too. 4Runner did her job and protected us, which I am so thankful for. I’ve heard people say “it’ll never be the same” so I came here also looking for opinions on that. I’m not really concerned about the value if I sell or trade per se, I paid 16k to even get her off the lot because my credit was shit. So I had planned on driving it as many years as she would run for me - ya know? I just want to see if getting her frame repaired is safe.

 

The " never be the same" is a bunch of crap for a rear end collision unless the frame is bent. I was hit in the rear back in 1996 by an F350 that caused $9k in damage. I still have that 4runner and it drives fine.

 

I really hope you have a copy of the police report and pictures all around your vehicle and that lady's vehicle. I've had similar incident and even party at fault had insurance try to play BS with me. So please no excuse for "copy of the police report and pictures all around your vehicle and that lady's vehicle", PLEASE.

Even if the vehicle is not totaled and fixed I think you can sell with almost no lost at this market. In my 4R accident I had major damage to my eyes but Carfax reported is has minor. Maybe this won't even go to Carfax. Both my Rav4 & Venza had minor accidents but did not see any record in Carfax. Both fixed under insurance and I have no idea why it was not reported.

 

If the other driver didn't have insurance, get a lawyer. Regardless if your insurance is going to cover it.

 

Agree with this.

Also, go see a doctor and for anyone else that was in the car. Injuries can show up weeks later and the insurance companies will look for a way not to pay.

 

"Itll never be the same"

You can fix anything, straighten the frame(if needed), put all new parts, make it good as new. But now it was in an accident and that accident is on the cars history/record and that will 100% effect the cars value.

 

The body lines look ok at the rear doors, but will only know extent of damage once a body shop takes it apart. Make sure you pick your own trusted body shop as insurance companies will go with the cheapest ones and put on used parts. If not totaled, a reputable shop can fix that but will be a major repair. So who pays your deductible? Did you have GAP insurance? Sorry to see this. I've had the same thing happen to me in my Raptor vs Ram 2500.

 

Picture of underneath?

 

Can you put in a diminished value claim against your own insurance?

 

mid youre a glutton for punishment. But yes

 

Arizona mandatory insurance law really works doesn't it? When I lived there everyone I knew who got in a wreck that was not their fault, the other driver had no insurance. Hope you are OK OP and get it all worked out!

 

Good lord, glad you are okay!

 

Hey guys - thanks for all the input! To answer some questions.. my insurance is taking care of everything since she didn’t have any. We do have mandatory insurance out here so she’s likely to have repercussions for that. I don’t have photos underneath, I took them so fast because it was such a blur I didn’t even think to get them underneath. I should know within a week what the total amount of damage is. My insurance doesn’t do diminished value - so I’ll most likely need a lawyer for that I will have to pay a $1000 deductible and my insurance will cover the rest, if we fix it. And in that case, again, probably need a lawyer

So the “it’ll never be the same” question I had was because I do believe there’s probably some slight frame damage..but I’m not a mechanic. I could tell when I looked under it that the piece the hitch is attached to has some minor damaged to the left and right of the hitch underneath the car. I guess I’m just wondering if there is frame damage and they say it’s fixable, should I push for a total? How can I argue for that? Or if it’s very slight frame damage, is it something that can be fixed and it’ll be ok to drive? I’ve read many mixed opinions…some people say with a fixed/repaired frame it will be just fine and others say it is better to total it.

 

The frame is made up of many pieces, you have the 2 main side rails of the frame and then several cross members, and then numerous mounting brackets.

If just a cross member or a mounting bracket has been bent it can be replaced with no issues, it's the 2 main side rails that are more of a concern if they are bent then it's much harder to repair back to original specs and strength.

Here's a diagram of the frame pieces on a 2022 T4R to show what is under there.

If the rear cross member #10 at the right side of the diagram is bent then it's not a big issue to replace it.

 

They check the frame for square in a bunch of pre-listed places that the manufacturer puts out in literature which goes to collision shops. This information along with a wheel alignment is what matters.

If you look real closely, you can see how imperfect new cars are built. Tolerances allow for a cheaper process, so long as the frame is square and wheels track straight.
didn’t used to believe this, until I saw guys weld front tubs back to wrecked Porsches.

the “never the same” adage comes from lazy body shops not ensuring everything is attached within the body, all moving items are unimpeded etc etc. be VERY careful what shop you use.

Body on frame is a lot better situation, if it were a unibody where you can never quite get all the bends and panels 100% I’d be more inclined to say ditch it after.

 

Agreed - take this advice seriously. Get examined medically, and continue any recommended follow-up visits, because problems arise later. Along with this, I strongly suggest you offer no info or opinions online. Things you say can be used against you when there's a court case. Discuss the facts about the truck damage, etc., if you like, but not "We feel fine" and such statements. The fact that the other driver is uninsured doesn't limit future liability they may have.

 

Definitely start looking for an attorney. You should NOT have to pay a deductible. Also id go after the other driver, they were likely on their phone and yes the state might give her a citation, they need to be taught a lesson. The other driver should be paying the deductible+diminished value+rental car+wasted time, etc... stick it to em

 

Notice the worst drivers tend to be uninsured? You figure they would try to drive extra careful when they are uninsured but they do the opposite. They tend to be the ones causing the most accidents and getting DUIs.

 

not surprised at all, generally people who don’t have their ish together also make bad choices, and vice versa.

 

Thank you guys!! All of that frame information is so helpful and makes me feel a lot better. As the diagram showed above, it looks like #10 that is damaged. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond and give me some peace of mind.

 

It's just a car and can be replaced, the fact that all are OK is the most important thing..... but, it will never be the same. After my deer hit last year ($13K in damage, three months to fix) things look fine from ten feet, but when you really look close, the CAPA (crap-a) parts they often use are not nearly the same fit and finish as OEM. IF they do fix your 4Runner, check with the insurance company to see if you can pay a bit more to get OEM parts from a Toyota dealership. If you plan on keeping your 4Runner for years, it will be worth it.

 

this, typically panels from China and cheap plastic replacements. There are warehouses dedicated to this junk in every major market supplying all the body shops.

also note most are lazy and do poor prep, then leave both the inclusions as well as orange peel making it evermore obvious the car was hit.

when I had an old bmw get hit I opted for used since it was a headlight (lights are where they really cheap out, usually a few grand a piece these days from the mfr) and quarter panel. Would not advise for suspension.

 

ouch! Some people are just a@@holes