Someone hit my truck

Hi guys , I know this isn’t a Ram forum but you guys are pretty knowledgeable . I’m just curious as to what you think I should be looking for pertaining to damage . I took pictures . My main concern is that he hit it hard enough to make the truck jump the curb .

 

A side impact like that would have me worrying about the frame and all suspension attachment points. nDO you have the 4 corner air ride on that Dodge?

 

Its a Ram. Its totaled....Thats FCA on FCA violence.
Just busting your balls. Can you get some wider shots of the truck? How did the impact happen?
My first advice would be to wash the truck and see whats gong on. It always seems that I find every little thing that has happened to a vehicle when I am washing it. It allows you to get up close and look at smaller sections at a time vs everything at once.

 

I don't think you will have any significant undelaying damage, but because it is spread out over a larger area and multiple panels, wheels etc. I would think the claim value will be surprisingly high.

Sorry to see that (even if it is a Ram)

 

On second look, the damage doesn't look to extensive at all. I didn't realize I was looking at the curb in the second to last picture. I kept focusing on the wheel. That's not too much movement to be jolted sideways to worry about binging suspension, displacing axles, or frame.

 

Need to call your insurance and start getting repair estimates at reputable repair facilities.

 

The guys father came by and said he doesn’t want to go through insurance and he’ll pay for it out of his pocket . I was just concerned that he hit it hard enough to push the truck over the curb . I don’t think he would have stopped if he could have kept driving .

 

No I made sure not to get that .

 

I contacted the collision repair Center close to me , still waiting to hear back from them . Because of all the Covid stuff going on I can’t just take it in to them without an appointment.

 

I can understand that and the reasons behind it (whatever their reasons are to not get the insurance involved), but keep in mind that if you go through insurance you are covered if they find any other damage when they tear it down, and the work has a warranty afterwards. Cash deals can go wrong if you need to go back to the guilty party for more money. You will still have to get some type of written agreement, and you have the option to report it to your insurance as a backup. If you report it but don't actually submit a claim it does not count towards you as a strike against your premium or accident forgiveness bonus, whatever your insurance company offers.

 

the father is prolly thinking several hundred, maybe a $K. He will be surprised by actual cost and want you to get done at his buddies cheaper and half assed.....

 

Fuck that shit. You're looking at a few thousand bucks in repairs, easily. Nevermind if they find hidden damage. Go through insurance. The only way to do it without insurance is you have it repaired at the shop of your choice and then the father goes in and pays the bill.

 

Or, he won't. I really agree with the above posts, go through insurance.

 

That’s what he’s offering , we both know the collision repair Center . He just wants to go in with me and get them to fix it and have the collision Center give him the bill .

 

Gotcha. I'd still be wary as I doubt he realizes how much this will cost.

 

I’ve taken a bunch of pictures of both my truck and his car . I called the police but they said to give him a chance to pay for it because if they file a report it automatically gets sent to our insurance providers .

 

I don’t think he has any idea as I have no idea until it gets looked at .

 

If you don’t go through insurance you forfeit your dimunition of value claim. I would go through insurance. The only person not going through insurance helps is the other party.

 

Your entitled to the loss in value on top of repairs. For instance. Two cars, exactly the same except one has been in an accident. No reasonable person would pay the same for the car that was in a collision even if the damage is fixed. You lost value and your entitled to that cash ammount as well as the cost for damages.

 

Let the insurance do what you pay them to do

 

Sucks to see this. I hope everything is minimal, but as others have said, go through insurance. I am shocked the police would suggest anything else.
With it hopping the curb you could have all kinds of things tweaked out of spec. The longer you wait to involve insurance, the harder it gets to have it made right in the event that it's a larger bill than "the guy" thought. Especially if you get the vibe that he would have fled the scene. If he was drunk, the longer you wait the harder it is to prove, etc.
Getting insurance involved protects you, and holding him accountable doesn't make you a bad guy.

 

I was just outside looking it over and my neighbours came out to talk to me and said they seen it , one of them has security cameras that got the whole thing on video . Both my sons know the kid that hit the truck , he’s 17 , new driver so I can understand his dad not wanting to go through insurance as the kids insurance would sky rocket . My one neighbour said that he thinks the cars tie rod broke and that’s why the car veered to the right and hit the truck . I think I’m still going to contact my insurance anyway though because you’re all right about if the bill is a lot more than he’s expecting he could just say screw it . Unfortunately they’re not open till Tuesday at 9am.

 

I’m gonna say the kid was texting while driving and lost control...that’s just my guess

 

That was my first thought too . I just found out that he left the house 2 doors down from me and then hit the truck .

 

At the end of the day, let your insurance handle it because it allows for you not to get the short end of things if something comes up. For the other side, that’s just an early lesson he has to learn when operating a moving vehicle let’s just be happy no one was hurt. Facts of life!!

 

Lawyer up, police report, neighbors tape, get a copy, even if it’s your cell phone taping his system.
Call your insurance Co,
Get 3 estimates ask for OEM parts only.
Protect your self, oh ask for your deductible back too.
This is an easy case to prove.
I wouldn’t work the the dad at all
That’s in his better interest not yours. Good luck sir.

 

Though I understand the guy wanting to handle it, he's not doing his son any favors by making it easier for him. Actions have consequences. Do stupid shit, wind stupid prizes. Too many parents shield their kids from the consequences of their poor choices, and so they grow up thinking that they can do whatever they want. Yes, it sucks for the kid, but if he learns from it then it was worth it.

 

Do not settle without insurance we had a bodyshop for years you would be surprised how much damage you have besides that the truck is going be in the shop for weeks you are going to need wheels that guy isn't going to pay that out of pocket.Tell him you are reporting it to the insurance.