Do y’all think it’s totalled?

I recently got this 4Runner after I got home from BCT and AIT, and have had a perfect driving record since I’ve been driving at 14. And disaster finally struck me, ironically once I began paying my own insurance and purchasing my own car, of course. Never dealt with anything like this, and I’m terrified it’s totalled.

I rear ended another vehicle coming over a blind bridge, going no more than 30mph. no airbags deployed, engine was running, and then turned back on to get off of the curb to get onto the wrecker. Only damage besides cosmetic that me and the officer noticed was a small radiator leak, (maybe, may have been fluid reservoir for wiper fluid?) any advice is helpful.

 

Hard to say without seeing underneath the front. My initial thought is that it looks salvageable, so long as frame wasn't bent.

Either way, glad you're okay!

 

So what if it is? Your insurer will pay you what it's worth. Sucks that it happened and glad you're OK.

 

I appreciate it, I’ve been told the frames on the 5th gen can’t handle a lot of impact, or stress. Which is what worries me

 

I guess you’re right, I’ve just beat myself up Bc it’s my first, own purchase. Hopefully that I can recover it. I appreciate the concern

 

If it's totalled, give it a kiss on the nose and say thanks for giving it's life to save yours. Buy another one. I'm kinda surprised the airbags didn't deploy. Glad you're OK and welcome!

 

Hows the other driver, since that's what really matters, what with you ass ending him and all?

 

Depends on the inspection results. Mine was not totaled. But even after 2 months of repairs the Toyota dealership failed to fix it properly and I had to make a complain to Toyota USA. So ended up Toyota got the vehicle back and gave me a new one. I was also ready with few other options with my insurance and few other legal help.

Even though if this accident happened at another party's fault make sure you claim with your insurance and let your insurance get the money from other party (if it's other party's fault). My mistake was since this was crashed by the dealer I let dealership handle the repairs. I would not do that mistake again. If an accident happens I will go with my insurance and let my insurance take the money from the party at fault.

 

They pulled the parking brake without hitting the pedal didn’t they? You got to be smart, eyes on the road!!!

 

No kidding. Just my like, that I’m actually driving attentively (not on my phone or no music, nothing) that I get railed by circumstance

 

The drivers good, so is their vehicle. Nothing more than some scratches. Extremely kind actually.

 

Good deal

 

Amazed the air bags did not deploy....glad everyone is ok.

 

My guess is it's totaled. That looks like quite a bit to repair and it's not very hard to total a vehicle these days.

Glad you and the other party are ok.

 

I'd be leaning toward saying it's totaled but after seeing the prices people are getting offered for their 5th gens by Carvana it might survive. Remember, the cost to repair is only 1/2 the equation. The value of the vehicle is the other half.

 

More aerodynamic but totaled sorry

 

If they gave me the option to total or fix, I would wash my hands with it and get a new one.

 

Its not a total. I've seen worse on these at work. New hood, fenders, bumper, grille, lights, core support, radiator, condenser, a few little odds and ends and you might get lucky with the rails. They do hold up very well. But they are easy to replace cause the front ones can be sectioned. We just did a similar job on a 16 4Runner. Almost $16K to fix. It was at 75% threshold of totaling. Just get a VERY good body shop to do the work and you will be good.

 

I hope you’re right, I paid cash for the vehicle, which made the deal really easy, but still have no credit, so purchasing a new 4 runner may be difficult

 

I don't think it is totaled - especially because the airbags didn't deploy. All that front end stuff isn't that bad, and the engine was still running after. Even with a minor coolant leak. I bet it isn't even a 15k repair.

 

That would be clutch. My mother works at/ is partners in a body shop, and said they wouldn’t charge me labor, just parts. So hopefully that covers my ass some too.

 

Glad everyone's okay.

 

Definitely not totalled.

My guess is you are insured with USAA. I used to work auto claims for them. If the cost to repair is under 70% of the value of the vehicle, then it's not totalled.

Would need a lot more pics to give even close of an estimate, but I'm seeing maybe $6k to $7k in damage with no apparent frame damage since the doors appears to still be aligned and no buckling of the roof. Impact was higher than the frame rails so no structural damage.

No airbag deployment is good; that saves a couple grand in repair costs.

Be sure to check back in with the actual estimate when you get one. The insurance company is not going to decided whether or not to total it based on your mom's shop giving you a deal. They will have their own shop or adjuster inspect it.

 

On the subject of a vehicle being totaled (or not), when it is, how does the process of someone buying it back work? Do you collect the value of the vehicle as payment, then offer to purchase said vehicle at some 'totaled' value?

 

Yep. Since the OP paid cash and owns the 4Runner free and clear, the insurance company will figure a value of the vehicle. Figure it's worth $45,000 retail. That's what the insurance company will pay out on. Then, they will determine the salvage value. Figure it's around $5k. OP can elect to keep his 4Runner or let the insurance company take it. If he keeps it, they will cut him a check for the $45k, minus the salvage value, and minus his collision deductible. He then can take that $39,500 (with a $500 deductible) and use part of it to pay for repairs, or part out the vehicle, or whatever.

But in this case, the vehicle is clearly not totalled. I haven't worked in auto claims for ten years, but I doubt repair costs have increased that much. I'm seeing about a $6k repair. You have to figure new grille, fenders, hood, bumper cover, radiator, AC condensor, supports, and a dozen other small parts is probably around $3k to $4k. Then most of the labor is bolting stuff back on with very little paint prep or repair, so maybe $1500 to $2500 in labor. Probably two weeks in the shop if they're good. Three weeks if they're really good and busy, lol.

This is based on a couple of photos, and ten year old knowledge, so... But I'd bet a month's wages that it's not totalled.

 

I’m insured under Geico, I had originally looked at USAA, but they wouldn’t give me a set quote without having purchased in, I’m
Not sure why. It was rather confusing. Considering up until now, I’ve had a perfect driving record, no tickets, no accidents, nothing. But I went with Geico. I appreciate the advice, I had been told that it would be between 6 and 8 grand. So this comment was very reassuring. Although I do understand that they’ll under their own rates.

 

I got into a very similar situation earlier this year. Same speed and relatively same damage. If the engine dropped, they will most likely total it. It also depends in airbag deployment. The way your front passenger quarter fender buckled into your front door is not a good sign. Regardless, I found that I was better off when they totalled it, because insurance paid the amount it was worth and I was able to put in a little more money and get a new vehicle that was much better (it was a bargain). Plus, a vehicle with accident reported with significant damage will significantly lower its resale value. Fortunately for me, and what might be unfortunate for you, it was right before this used 4Runner shortage many people are experiencing now occurred and drove prices toward the sky. Just thought I would share my experience in case it's helpful to you at all. Whatever the outcome is, I wish you best of luck moving forward.

 

my guess 8-10K worth of repairs. anything less im sure the body shop will submit a supplement.

 

My daughter JACKED up her CRV, pushed the gas instead of the break pulling into a parking spot. It hit the sidewalk and launched up like hungry hungry hippo…slammed down and blew out her front end, all airbags deployed, frame got bent, and one wheel cracked. Insurance didn’t total it and it ended up 18k. So if that can happen to a CRV, I got faith for you.