Got backed into. Just happened. (Pics)

He needs to do his research now and find at least 3-5 comparable trucks in his area just in case the ones that the insurance company is using. Also he needs to ask for the evaluation report so that he can look at those comparables that the insurance company is using just to make sure they are inline with what he has.

 

The first step is to get a couple estimates. No point guessing as you don't know how much it'll cost to fix. Get more than one and ask how they would fix it. Some body shops may want to replace the side of the bed while another one may want to straighten the metal then finish it off with body filler. There's ups and downs to both. Repairing the damage would allow the paint to be blended in on the bed. Replacing it would mean painting the rear door. But replacing the panel would mean no filler and less chance of rust.

Looking at the pictures it looks like you live in a place that doesn't get much snow. If so that would mean most likely little to no rust. Even if the insurance company totals it there's very little chance it doesn't get fixed. But I just don't see the damage as being anywhere near enough for it to be totaled. With the price of used Tundras being as high as they are it's very unlikely.

 

That suck

 

No experience with car accidents but maybe consider buying a truck bed camper or turning it into a flatbed if either of those choices sounds appealing to you.

 

That estimate seemed a bit high I was thinking closer to $4000-$4500 no where near a total loss and replacing a bedside is easy I would do them all day. I own a auto body shop and that’s what we call a gravy job !!

 

Depending on where your at a used bed is going to be roughly $2000-$3000 and unless the stars align perfectly and you find a color matched one I’d say another $1500 to paint it and do add spray in bed liner

 

It's funny you say this, I got an alert from Car Fax that my totaled '07 needed an oil change. Did a bit of digging and found out that someone bought it off the auctions and re-licensed it. So it's out there driving around on the road after a head on collision.

I agree with @CHESSIEMAN that damage will be fixed. My '07 got rear ended a couple years ago, before the head on totaled it, and they spent about $6800 and fixed it. They basically had to replace the tailgate, bumper, and tow hitch, then pulled out the bends on the rear quarters and painted everything. I don't think they'll total yours. My '07 had about 180,000 at the time. Usually total loss is 80% of value, according to what I have been told.

 

How bad was the head-on collision?

 

Technically a front 3/4 off set would be a better description. She hit us going 60MPH without braking as she drifted over the center line. She was drunk and high.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundras-save-lives.49006/
In post 29, I linked the dash cam footage. It still makes me a bit squeemish watching it.


When I saw the truck at the tow yard I could tell the frame was possible bent. The bed and cab on the passenger side couldn't fit my fingers in between. Drivers side I could fit my doubled up first between the cab and bed. I guess it might have just been the cab broke the body mounts.

 

Judging by the damage, a used bed abs a bumper plus some paint will likely be under 7k and have her good as new...

Im sure the value of the truck greatly exceeds that.. my new bed, complete cab repaint and new bumper, door cost all of 4500 all said and done (granted this was me sourcing parts and having the body shop do it for cash)

 

Mine was also a wee bit more damaged than yours. So I wouldnt be too worried about your truck being totalled. And if they try to total it, fight it or buy it back and use the funds they give you to fix it up nicely. (My brothers Avalon was totaled. They cut us a check for 4500 after buyback, had it fixed for 3500 and now you’d never know it was wreaked and we got to pocket the extra money... plus the way indiana works, the title stayed clean due to the vehicles age)

 

I wonder how they fixed it?

 

Many shops used to have frame machines. They'd strap the vehicle in and use hydraulic jacks to push and pull the frame back to its original dimensions. One of my great-uncles had a home made version. He'd buy a wrecked car for scrap value, straighten it up, do any body repairs necessary, and sell it. His customers didn't care as long as the car ran and drove well enough.

 

That's my guess. The engine was still running after the hit. It was leaking coolant but that was it. The frame was good, spent most of its life in southern Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and a bit in Texas, I gathered from the oil change records. The bed was fine, the cab was mostly intact, so some body panels up front and straighten the frame. Insurance estimated it at $12,000+ in damage, so they totaled it out. I am guessing they assumed a new frame.

 

Any update OP?

 

Yeah, but then there's the whole salvage title thing; Most banks won't issue loans on vehicles with salvage titles, and the value just drops right out of them...

 

My great-uncles shop was in its heyday back in the 40's. I'm not sure they had salvage titles back then. If the state didn't issue salvage titles back then, operations like his might have been the reason they started. As for the drop in value, back then value was determined by haggling and a handshake. Kelly Blue Book was around, but was a guideline for dealers, not the average Joe. The cars he, and others like him, repaired were sold to people that wouldn't normally be able to own a car. It was pretty much of a win all the way around. sf319's truck was probably bought as salvage, repaired, and sold at a price that made it affordable to someone in need of a good pickup.

 

Fixed

 

But in this one you can tell it doesn’t match perfect. I think I may just have to live with that.