Wife-accident-side airbags deployed-not starting=total loss?

out on a day long ride with my buds on my moto, stop, check vm, wife.

she was making a left turn and didn't see the car coming due to a huge median with a tree that blocked her view (this is her story ).

huge dent in rear, passenger side, sider curtain airbags deployed and the damn thing won't start. they are towing it home as the repair shop and rental car company is closed. i will post pics when i get some.

total loss? many seem to think airbag deployment = total loss.

UPDATE: the tow company towed it to their lot until morning and will tow it to the repair facility in the morning.

 

here is a pic.

 

ah, yes, i remember reading about that... yes, most importantly my wife is okay, no injuries.

 

the shop we will be taking it to is toyota certified, i think. we used this shop couple months ago when my wife got into an accident. the cost was well over 2500 for a slight dent on the lower passenger side door (she scraped the car on a boulder while parking).

this damage is much more extensive and airbags deployed. i guess we will find out when the adjuster looks at it this week.

 

she just now told me the car got spun around 270 degrees. i wish i can see it myself. i'm dreading the insurance jump, which is due in june.

 

yeah, there is another party involved. now after getting additional details from my wife, i'm thinking the fault may lie with the other driver. we'll just have to have the adjusters figure it out.

we have full coverage, so regardless of who's at fault, we want to have this handled properly. chassis/wheel concern me as well and i will make sure they fix it thoroughly. considering the value of my prius, the total damage needs to exceed $12500 or so for them to even consider it a total loss and i'm guessing it won't be. many seem to think airbag deployment often ends in total loss...

at any rate, i want it fixed right if it's going to be fixed. a part of me also wish it would just be totaled so we can just purchase another for piece of mind. we'll see, thanks for the insights everyone.

 

yeah, the insurance adjuster will be looking at the car tomorrow morning. i've already spoken to the the guy that will be doing the estimate at the shop and made sure the chassis and suspension of the car is looked over closely as the car was struck on the rear passenger side wheel and car spun 120 degrees (originally my wife thought the car spun 270).

we haven't received a call from the investigator that will be assigning fault. if the other driver is found at fault, i will be obtaining consultation about diminished value as well (if not total loss).

 

actually, my handle has to do with my profession...

well, the verdict is in. i spoke with the adjuster and he told me around $7,000 in damages. he did indicate that rear axle is damaged and told me he quoted using a used rear suspension system from another 2008. he also told me 2 wheels will be replaced using a refurbished wheel and a reconditioned wheel. the $7k estimate i'm assuming is without looking at any possible internal damages.

after talking to the guy i'm thinking fault will be placed on my wife. can i still pursue diminished value even with fault placed on my wife?

 

nevermind, i found information and you can't claim diminished value if it's your fault.

 

Update:

Yesterday we were told adjuster was on their way back to the shop as they found more damage after they tore into it. Shop tells me another 600-700 in damages with the original estimate of 7800.

I get a call late afternoon from the adjuster informing me that the car will now be a total loss as the estimate now has gone over $10,000. Apparently this is due to high salvage rate on Prius'. The shop then proceeded to tell us that not all states require that the title is marked. So, people buy them at auction from other states. They also said that they (insurance company) don't report the total loss sometimes, only reporting that they paid for repairs only to prevent salvage titles.

We will not be purchasing another Prius, we're going with a TDI wagen. I'm glad this is finally getting resolved.