Prius accident + container question

If it's just body work, I'd think any reasonable body shop should be fine. But if there's a big white container sitting in your trunk, then it sounds like there was engine damage, so start with your Toyota dealership.

As for insurance, there's no deductible, typically, if it's not your fault. The other guy's insurance pays the whole thing. File quickly with your company, and they'll work it out with the other company. When my pre-Prius (Ford Focus) was totalled back in October, I got a call from the at-fault insurance company rep that same night. They'll want to inspect the car before anything's done, I'm sure, and they'll probably try to get you to have it repaired at an "affiliated" shop, which shouldn't be manditory but might be easier. In my case, the car was totalled, my company sent me a check, and then they billed the other company for the amount. Both companies will probably make "offers" for how much they'll pay to fix it, and you can choose.

If the guy didn't have a license, I probably would've called the cops to make sure someone was on the scene. For all you know, he was driving a stolen car and you'll never see him again. And when the other guy is cited for a violation as part of the accident, it makes it that much more likely that you'll be considered the victim instead of at fault.

Good luck!

 

ON THE LOT??? Wow. Never heard of THAT happening.

I actually ordered a different color (well, three different colors), but then this red one was passed up by the people who ordered it, and I was at the dealership about 2 hours after I got the call . I'm very happy with the color.. nothing like the website and brochure swatches make it look.

 

Mat,
Sorry about your car. Hopefully it can be fixed back good as new. Please keep us posted about how it goes at the dealership and cost of repairs.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your car. Hope you get squared away with the insurance. A coworker spent 3 years and 19k restoring a mid-70's BMW to exacting standards. Two days after he finished, his car was totalled by a guy driving a VW squareback, VW driver's fault. His initial reaction was that he would be screwed because the at fault guy probably didn't have insurance. As it turned out, he had excellent insurance and the at-fault driver's insurance company spend several weeks researching the restoration and gave my coworker the full amount of the restoration costs. There are good companies out there and hopefully, you'll come out ok.

Also amazing, but it looks like the lights survived the impact. Maybe these units are sturdier than they look. Are these HID lights?
I second the request that you keep us posted about how the repairs went. I'm concnerned that the scarcity of Prii will make getting repairs on them much more difficult.
Bob

 

I believe that I read somewhere that those containers that you noticed are for engine coolant and help keep the engine warm. Since the ICE is subject to so many cycles of turning off and on again, the warm coolant works as a warming agent to the engine and also helps with the emission controls.

 

Looks like the Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir to me.

 

mat, look at Brown brothers body shop on erwin road where it crosses I-40 for a bid. Good reputation.

 

Mat, I'm so sorry to hear about your silver getting hit. But, if you can make it to Oklahoma City ...
I had my 2004 for about a week when I heard from the local Electric Vehicle Technology Center -- wanting to borrow my car for an evening. I took it over and sat in on a class for body shop repair people. The EVTC guy showed them what the 2004 was like, what to watch for when repairing, how to keep from snipping into the orange cables, etc. And took photos to put in his slide show he takes around to fire departments, so the EMTs know how to recognize a hybrid in a wrecked state. I learned a lot, too, and the body shop guys were really intent on learning all they could.

 

Sorry to take this long to find out but just learned today that it's the intake resonator and if I understand correctly it connects to the air cleaner induction pipe to alter the sound of the intake system under full throttle. Apparently a lot of 2003 Toyota's have it. Corolla's and Camray's etc. I looked at the one on the 2K4 and asked the body man what it was, and that's the answer he gave me.

 

Yup, that's it alright! According to the manual it reduces the sound of the air-intake noise.