Frame Replacement (Not at fault accident) what are my options?

Since everyone says accidents aren’t their fault. Here is a video showing just how much it wasn’t my fault.

https://youtu.be/UUCeWLSfS9Q

Damage pictured below

Just found out today that the dealership collision repair is saying the frame needs to be replaced. No word yet on if it’s going to be totaled. This is my first new car and I bought it with the intention of holding onto it beyond 200k miles.

Just trying to figure out what options I have and any insight from people who have more experience than me.

If it’s not totaled, can I/should I argue for vehicle replacement? Seems like replacing the frame is incredibly invasive and likely to have gremlins down the road.

If it is totaled, what is the payout based on? Is it the KBB is or what dealerships are listing comparable vehicles for?

Is there any chance of them putting me into a new one? Even though a used one may have the same miles as mine, there is no way of knowing if it’s been beat to hell or not. Does it make a difference that I am a completely innocent party?

Also how comparable is comparable enough as far as they are concerned? It took me months to find a cement grey with the tech package and LED headlights and if I my truck is totaled out it may be hard to find one.

Any and all insight is welcome, thanks in advance

 

No input but sorry for the incident. Looks like you were really enjoying your new truck.

Glad you had a dashcam to support. Cheap insurance.

 

Talk to your insurance. They should be supporting you. The cost is on the driver making the Left Turn. Failure to Yield Right of Way.

Ask your insurance to send an adjuster to make an estimate on your truck.

Burn your Dashcam footage onto CDs, get copies of the police report. Send a set of copies to your insurance, keep a set of copies for yourself.

I'd suggest not to get jazzed up about a new truck. Expect no value increase based on the mods you've done.

Value will be based on market trends and KBB.

Sit tight, let the insurance people do their diligence.

 

perfect use case of a dashcam! Sorry this happened to your truck! In my experience, if it gets totaled, they will pay out you for the market price of a comparable truck in your area, which right now with the crazy high prices, would probably work out in your favor. it also helps if you can provide documentation on upgrades the truck had, ive had receipts and pictures of my upgrades increase the payout for a totaled vehicle

 

That...was a frame-bending collision?

That?

Really?

 

It's great you had a dash cam, and is the reason I installed one on my rig also, wtg.
My advice is to seek and attorney, there should be no fee for a consultation. You may feel good now, but that may change later leaving you holding many bags.
That said, I'm glad you're did not need an ambulance and wish you good luck.

 

That's exactly what my thought was. I couldn't even fathom that it warranted a frame replacement.

 

The collision messed up the left front wheel suspension. All that suspension is connected to the frame........... Think domino effect.

 

If it damaged any part of the frame cab, I believe that area is replacement only. It looks from here that it may have, but difficult to tell from a pic

 

Sorry for your loss - I know how I would feel.
Body shops don't spend a lot of time trying to straighten a frame, even if it's just bent up to the first cross-member.
I wouldn't be too concerned about a new frame. My '06 TRD OR got a new frame (courtesy of Toyota) in 2015. I visited the shop a few times while they were waiting for the replacement frame. The cab was in one spot, the rear half in another, and the frame was sitting over the lift.
Once it was all put back together on the new frame, all was good. I now have a 14+ year old Taco with a 6+ year old frame. No issues with my Taco related to that work ever since. Obviously the quality of the shop and the person doing the work matters. YMMV.

 

That dashcam just paid for itself so many times over. Glad you're okay. I wouldn't worry about them putting in a new frame, Toyota did it to almost 50% of second gens, it's hardly a new procedure. I'd think with Taco resale they'd either fix it or put you in a new one.

 

If its totaled show records for your mods and you’ll get a higher price. I would buy it back from the insurance for cheap and get it repaired. Hard to tell from the pics but I dont think its totaled especially since airbags didnt deploy.

 

Exacto...

 

I don't know much but I do know some manufactures have replacement frame parts. I.e. they have a spec of how to cut out a damaged portion ofa frame and weld in a factory replacement.

So they might not replace the whole frame but the front left corner. Because a shop and your insurance are completing the repairs anything that arises in the future should be covered (maybe not forever but a period of timd) under warranty.

If they do total it make sure to take off any aftermarket parts unless they are paying you extra for them. Most body shops and insurance companies will let you do that.


Sorry to hear about the accident. I was hit this week as well. My guy didn't have insurance though.

 

Yikes rip taco. Make sure you have that video evidence because insurance hates paying out in full in large accidents like these. Don't let those drivers sue you either

like deadass there is a video of a honda pilot losing control and t boning a tundra on a chicago freeway and the tundra driver was found 100% at fault initially (even with video evidence) before he made an appeal.

 

I seriously doubt it will be totaled. In the old days it was almost automatic. Bent frame, off to the scrap yard. What has changed is that the value of these trucks has increased dramatically while the cost of a frame replacement has remained relatively flat. You can now order, have shipped, and replace a frame for less than what you could 5 years ago. It isn't the ugly scar it once was. Personally I would rather have a new frame. You know it is straight.

What I think has also happened is that body shops are wise to this now. In the past a questionable body shop would be more likely to say the frame is ok so they could get the work. Most insurance companies paid something to the body shops when a vehicle was totaled, but nothing like a $15k repair job. Now these same guys are more likely to flag frame damage on a vehicle with a frame that they know cannot be straightened and will have to be replaced. It is a lot easier to swap a frame than straighten one.

What the OP must insist on is diminished value. This is necessary because the truck will be labeled with severe structural damage. Hell, they might as well label it as a salvage title at that point because no dealer is going to want it. Diminished value process varies from state to state, but for the most part it is a slap in the face. You start with an amount then every category is measured against your truck and reduces that amount until you get virtually nothing. You can fight it, but it isn't easy.

 

Don’t think the frame is bent, probably more one of the frame suspension mounting points (LCA?) is broken. Net result is the same though, replace frame.

 

Wow what a sad day. I would certainly make sure you ask about things like Diminished Value. Collision centers usually have an in house guy who used to be an insurance adjuster, his job is to find as many things wrong with the vehicle without going over what the truck is worth. Personally if that were my truck and it was practically new I would figure out a way to get a new one.

 

Well that sucks, sorry about the truck but at least you were not injured. If it was me I'd be trying for a new truck. Good luck.

 

Actually, this could be good. Bigger. Badder. The Force is with you! Do an LS wrap while you’re at it