1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2005 Prius in At-Fault Rear-End Accident

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by GreenGirl8, Jul 11, 2008.

  1. GreenGirl8

    GreenGirl8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Today my husband was driving our Prius and rear-ended a car waiting to make a left turn. The car he hit, a Chevy Impala, was able to drive away, after discussing the accident, with only cosmetic damage. However, take a look at our Prius. I think it's totaled, although we have to wait until Monday when the adjustor looks at it. We have Progressive Insurance and I'd like to think we'll have some luck getting at least a decent settlement, because we'd really like to replace it. Even though we're at fault, and I'm not sure if that affects things (other than our future insurance rates, which I know will go up a lot, and the loss of our deductible), I'm hoping to get a fair settlement. Our car was a 2005 Seaside Pearl Prius, purchased used this past March 2008, with only 37K on it. It was great. But I think it's gone. The tow company has it now. Any words of advice? Please only post positive or encouraging or instructive or helpful responses. I've had enough bad news today to not need to hear any negatives--believe me, I know them. Thanks.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2007
    868
    123
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA --- Land of Fruits & Nuts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Maybe it is totaled, maybe not. As long as the frame is not bent, soft crumpled body parts can be replaced. Did the air bags go off???

    Keith
     
  3. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2007
    3,083
    407
    23
    Location:
    Chicagoland (West)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I'm very sorry to hear about this accident, and I would like to be able to help, but it may be pretty hard for me (and others) to offer much advice without a bit more information.

    Did you attempt to start the car after the accident? With what result?

    Did you lose any fluids? If so, what kind? (At least try to go with color, smell, viscosity.)

    Did any airbags deploy?

    Are any doors (or the hatchback) jambed? Any glass broken (doesn't look like it, but I'm not certain)?

    Where was it towed? Is there a Toyota dealership nearby?

    This is just a start. Please try to share a bit more, and you may find someone here has some very valuable advice.
     
  4. GreenGirl8

    GreenGirl8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Here's some more info about the accident:

    The airbags did not go off.
    The car was still running after the accident.
    Red fluid was coming out of the "injured" area.
    The driver's side door was not opening correctly.
    No broken glass.
    It was towed to a tow lot nearby. There are plenty of Toyota dealers around.
    (We're in the south of Boston area.)

    Thanks for your replies.
     
  5. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2007
    3,083
    407
    23
    Location:
    Chicagoland (West)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Sounds as though you may be facing a bit of body work, but it appears the HSD is intact (for the most part)! It is hard to see how this car could be totalled.

    Unless you have a great relationship with a Prius-certified mechanic, I think you'll need to get the car to a dealership for an estimate. I hope your carrier is covering the costs of the tow and lot in the meantime -- subject to your deductible, I assume.
     
  6. kscableguy

    kscableguy Prius Owner

    Joined:
    May 23, 2008
    35
    0
    0
    Location:
    Augusta, KS
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    If you have full coverage and if they total the car, you need to do alot of reasearch before settling with the insurance company. Go to Autotrader.com, cars.com, carmax.com and also local toyota dealers. Do a search for your the year of your Prius and with the same features and miles. Do a 200 mile radius search. Then figure up the price you will have to pay to replace your Prius with the same year and model. In most cases I would say if you don't have GAP Insurance you would probably be upside down in the amount you owe VS the price to replace. But not in today's world witht he big demand for a Prius. The insuance company will try to do the Kelly Blue Book thing, but we all know that KBB is not up to date with the huge demand for a Prius right now. You might have to keep pushing them for a few weeks, but don't back down.

    If they don't total the car, make sure you get to take it to a repair shop of your choice.
     
  7. brick

    brick Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2006
    1,083
    79
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The red fluid was probably coolant, which is not a huge deal as long as the car wasn't left running for long. (The engine probably shut itself off anyway.) No surprise that the door doesn't open right given that the quarter panel was damaged that badly. They might total it bit it looks to me like the car will be running again. Worst case, they total it and sell it off to a rebuilder.
     
  8. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2005
    9,810
    466
    0
    Location:
    MD
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    ouch. looks like that could have taken out your chs tank, hence the coolant loss. unfortunately we can't realistically estimate repair cost on the internet, but let us know how it turns out.
     
  9. Huntceet

    Huntceet Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2008
    85
    2
    0
    Location:
    Chicago area
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    II
    So when is the divorce final?

    Rod
     
  10. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Looks worse than it is I think. Looks like an off-set hit where your DH caught the corner of the car on another. It looks like the chassis rail is in tact but you can't tell with a photo. I wouldn't be surprised if it bounced back to you all straight.
     
  11. snakeman

    snakeman New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2004
    41
    0
    0
    In September of last year, I was struck by a Sienna in the same area of my 2004 Prius. I was waiting to come out from a cross street so she hit me at an angle. My damage looked very similar to yours minus the leaking fluid. Here's what happened with us through Commerce Insurance living just north of Boston:

    - The car was towed to the body shop
    - Initial estimate was $9,000 of damage
    - The body shop took stuff apart and found that there was frame damage in addition to cosmetic damage
    - The insurance company totaled the vehicle and we got a check for ~$18,900 which paid for most of the 2007 Prius I'm driving today


    Based on my experience, your picture, and the fact that the driver's door doesn't open properly I'd say you should start checking blue book values and such (Auto Trader was my friend in this) to get ready to negotiate with your insurance about exactly how much they'll pay out for totaling it. Still, I'm hoping they don't total it on you as you might have a harder time getting a new Prius now than we did 8 months ago and that would suck.
     
  12. jammin012

    jammin012 The man behind The Man

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2007
    510
    6
    0
    Location:
    Cali
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Can we start bidding for parts yet?

    Just asking...... :behindsofa:
     
  13. jelloslug

    jelloslug It buffed right out!

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2008
    813
    54
    0
    Location:
    Greenville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    That car is totaled. It seem these days that anything other than a deep scratch totals a Prius. The reason seem to be that there are no aftermarket parts for the Prius and there are very few Priuses in salvage yards to get parts from. This limits the adjuster to using new Toyota parts only.
     
  14. GreenGirl8

    GreenGirl8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Thanks for all your input. Yesterday I was called by the insurance co. to ask about which auto body shop I wanted it taken to. (It had been at a tow lot.) It has to receive further inspection to determine whether it's repairable or not. I chose to use the body shop that works with my local Toyota dealer, whom I trust. The insurance co. kept telling me that if I used "their" shop the work would be guaranteed, but I would think that the work is guaranteed by Toyota anyway if I choose to go through Toyota. I didn't want just anyone working on a Prius if I'm going to get it back repaired. No word yet on whether it can be fixed.
     
  15. felton

    felton New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2005
    72
    4
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I am no expert, but I have recently weathered the storm of having my son move from his teen years to his early twenties, so I have been to the body shop a time or three. From that picture and your description, I would say that barring any frame damage the car is repairable. I think we should start a pool. I believe the car can be repaired for $8,915.37.

    Recently I have begun to develop a certain amount of paranoia about being hit. If someone were to run into me, I would be hard pressed to replace my baby, the market being what it is and I wouldn't be happy with anything other than a Prius. Maybe I'll stay in tonight:)

    Anyway, good luck and I am glad no one was hurt. It really doesn't look that bad. The engine was running, the collision was not enough to set off the airbags or break glass. I think it is just a fender bender.

    Keep us posted.
     
  16. GreenGirl8

    GreenGirl8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Hopefully I'll have some news soon.
     
  17. PattiRose

    PattiRose New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2005
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    Bumpass, VA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I totalled my 2005 Prius on 6/2. I hit a Honda Accord at approx 55mph. Both my airbag and the passenger side airbag deployed. I was the only person in the Prius. I was able to walk away from the car. It was of course totalled. I had a little over 65,000 miles on the car. But it was in exceptional condition. Allstate was more than fair with my settlement.
     
  18. GreenGirl8

    GreenGirl8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The Prius wound up being a total loss, but at least Progressive was very fair with our settlement. We've put a new one on order. It turned out that there was heavy structural damage, including problems with wiring, and the damage was too expensive to repair. Thanks to all who posted.
     
  19. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    10,339
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Bummer.

    Be sure to do your homework on value. Prii are in high demand and even used ones are going for higher than new. Don't let them lowball you.

    If they let you recover your personal items, make sure you take the mats and the tonneau cover. You bought those extra. You can use them in your new car or sell them on eBay for a nice chunk. If you can, grab the manual too.
     
  20. GreenGirl8

    GreenGirl8 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I need to know the mileage on my Prius at the time of the accident. Wasn't something we checked when the car was smashed in the middle of the road. Does the insurance company adjuster check the mileage? I had it serviced a couple of weeks before the accident and have that reading from the receipt and I can estimate the final number from that, but I want an exact figure. How can I get this info? Is it present in writing anywhere (Such as an odometer disclosure form or some such? We weren't asked to sign anything like that when the vehicle was declared a total loss.) Thanks!