Rear Ended - Just Can't Believe it!

So 2k1Toaster and everyone else, do you have any suggestions on how to fight to have the car written off?

 

2k1Toaster and rdgrimes, right now we are dealing with insurance. I have found an independent body shop (not affiliated with the insurance company). The guy at the body shop took the time and explained in detail about the process of working with insurance, the repairs and how he does them and that he repairs with Toyota parts. (This body shop had great reviews through google search and through Angies List.)He explained that because the Prius V is a new model, it is unlikely that there are many after market parts or used parts available - made sense.

I have no idea if an appraiser will write off the vehicle. People that have seen the pictures or the vehicle have indicated both ways - the insurance company should write it off and the insurance company will fix the vehicle.

If they are repairing the vehicle, my first concern is that it is as safe after the repairs as it was before, and that the whole vehicle is repaired correctly to prevent putting my family at risk. And then, there is accelerated depreciated value. Who in their right mind would buy this vehicle with this accident record unless they got it for bargain basement value, i.e., free. And then it may be used for parts only. Aside from safety, fuel economy, vehicle features, etc. about the Prius vehicles, one of the notable features is that they have resale value. That's all gone now.

I am grateful to be safe and in one piece and able to write this post. Thank you, Toyota!

 

Thank you, EVERYONE!

The car was TOTALED!!!

The advice given resulted in our being prepared for our meeting with the adjuster who, I must say, did not fit the stereotypical bad guy. He was articulate, knowledgeable and concerned about repairing such a damaged vehicle despite that fact that it was a new. He also had really great things to say about Toyota cars.

So thank you to everyone.

What I take away from this is:

- have the phone number of a reputable towing company in your car at all times.
- know a reputable body shop (I now have two).
- make sure you have enough insurance.
- make sure you have the right kind of insurance.
- know important details about your insurance like what are the write off ratios.
- ask tons of questions of everybody - learn, learn, learn.
- be prepared for your meeting with the adjuster and bring your information such as comparable vehicle.
- have the name of a few reputable Orthopedic Surgeons so that if you need to be checked out quickly after an accident, you know where to go. I do not recommend accident/chiropractic places after an accident based on what I have learned during the last 3 weeks.
- write EVERYTHING down such as all phone calls, meeting details, how you are feeling emotionally and physically. Keep all correspondence from everyone in one place.

This takes tons of time, so just do it. You'll be happy you are prepared. Be careful who you divulge details about the accident to and be wary when you are searching for help and advice. If it doesn't seem right or it doesn't make sense, it probably is not right. Also, consider the motivation of people sharing information/advice with you. For example, I found a very reputable body shop and they told me the car was repairable and they wanted all that work. I am sure it would have been profitable for them. Although they did not get to repair this vehicle, I will send work their way in the future.

Again, thank you to all of you on PriusChat! And thank you, Toyota!

 

Now... I have to find a replacement vehicle. Definitely another Prius V!!!

 

Thank you.

You are right about the motives of the body shop, however, multiple searches from reputable sources and phones calls with the knowledgeable, body shop manager made it easy to select this shop. We were well aware that the body shop IS in the business of making money. The adjuster commented that this was a good shop and we would be well taken care of. I was grateful for his input because he did not have to make any comments.

 

Wise words!

Photos were taken with my camera phone at the time of the accident and even at the towing company's storage area twice and then more photos at the body shop as the adjuster marked up the vehicle. There was no way to know which of these would be worthwhile and every time I stepped away from the car, a new angle was thought of.

The first time I took regular straight-on photos at the time of the accident. The second time I got underneath the car, laid my phone on the ground and took photos. It is hard to determine what was worthwhile for but someone who knows cars, they would know what they were looking at. The third time tarps were removed from the roof and pics were taken of the roof and more pics on the inside of the crinkled roof. During this time frame, I stopped at the dealership twice and took pics of the inside of the vehicle as a reference of what the V used to look like and so we had a comparison. I found the images of the wrecked V strong embedded in my memory that it was difficult to accurately remember what it looked like before the accident. This way we had before and after photos. The last group of photos was at the body shop. As the garage guys removed parts of the vehicle, the adjuster marked the car and I just kept taking photos.

Pics of the other vehicle were taken which included the plate and damage to his vehicle but not the other driver. Photos were taken of the debris scattered across the road as well. We were glad we did this because the police report stated that the road was wet when the road was bone dry and our pics show this.

I was unaware that Google voice offers the option to record calls. I will look into this. Good to know.

 

Very Cool!

This might be helpful in ensuring follow through with my teenagers like when they say, "please let me do this. I promise I will..."

Parenthood - it's a joy and a curse!