Crimedog

What a great night I was on the shoulder of a freeway tonight (death wobble hit, I was waiting to get back on to the freeway SAFELY (Andy will know, it is 94 eastbound right before the intersection of 35, I had just dropped off the barstools to Bob ) I was stopped, had my blinker on, it was 9:35 at night, I'm watching my rearview and I see headlights crossing over the shoulder line (I was completely off the white line, about 1.5 to 2 feet away from it). Bang, it was a Toyota Rav4, she stops in the traffic lane. I wait about 30 seconds, get out climb up on the grass bank (it was very busy), went and asked her if she was OK, she said yeah, she just sat in her car and cars were flying by her laying on the breaks to not hit her. Another guy stopped in, and we got the lady to get out of her SUV, she goes to get out on the traffic side We got her to come out our side, the safe side, and we call 911, get a couple of troopers and tow trucks dispatched. Turns out, she was legally drunk They didn't waste time, they had her in the back of the car right away.

So, I looked at my truck and saw the wheel was BUSTED in half Tire was torn off, also. Only scratches on the side of the bed, so that means the tire, meaning the axle absorbed the 65 MPH hit all by itself The way it sits, it looks like the axle is bent a bit and the back corner of the bed is sitting an inch or two low. You guys can see from the pics I am posting.

My questions are, do you think the truck will get totaled or is it worth trying to straighten out and swap in a new axle? I am going to talk to the insurance agent tomorrow, and bring the truck to 3 reputable repair shops.

Crimedog

here is the rim...

Crimedog

I am a little worked up right now, but I am assuming that if/when the axle proves bent, they will give me a new one right? Or will they get a used or rebuilt one?

marks2500

WOW!!!! thank god nobody was hurt with that kind of impact, you might want the rear end tore down and have the tubes and housing checked for straigtnes , also have it put on a frame machine to see if and where the frame might be bent. if you do get stuck with a used axle a good diff builder will only use a quality used part. good luck Mark

FastZilla

The 3 reputable sources should be 3 dealers. Depending on the state you live in you have the right to refuse re-manned or after market parts. Usually dealers don't Edit around and cut corners - it's more money to them. Most insurance companies don't even care about your 3 estimates. They send an adjuster that says what they think it is. The 3 estimates will help you if the adjuster is considerably different ($500) or so. They should list out exactly what parts are in need of replacement/repair. You the can go over it and compare to the other estimates and dispute if the adjuster forgot anything. Sometimes they screw up. I had a truck et hail damaged and the adjuster wrote up an R&R of the entire bed instead of a repair. Well bed was repaired and I had $$$ left over, a few hundred. With a hit like that you could have internal trans and drive shaft damage. Even cracked housings on the t-case and or trans. Depends how far the axle was relo'd by the impact. Glad your OK!!! CTD ain't nuthin compaired to busted bodies.

There's also spring mounts, axle bearings, etc. Give `er the ole fine tooth comb befor you go get estimates. Remember estimates are exactly that - meaning they can change. Once you choose a repair shop, they can call the insurance company and ask for more because they found more. In bad accidents adjusters will make multiple trips out during different stages of the disassembly/repairs to "adjust" for the unseen items during the initial adjustment.

Good luck,
Again glad you'ok!!!

I was in an accident on a MC w/2 other friends/riders when a drunk crossed the centerline on a 2 lane'r and got us head-on. We're all here/ One real banged up, the other recovered and me not a scratch - things are funny that way. It happened at 2pm on a thursday afternoon - not exactly post happy hour.

FastZilla

Forgot a few things:
Check that your bed didn't slam into the cab and dent it - they are mounted on rubber and it happens all the time in rear-enders. I'd also checo out those cast iron drums - they're very brittle when it comes to impacts.

Good luck. Glad you're ok!!!

Shovelhead

Good advice from all posters so far.

I'd much rather be in the Truck and get hit by a RAV, than the other way 'round.

amartinson

Sorry to hear about that Matt. FastZilla hit on a lot of good points. Hope it works out in your favor. Glad you're OK.

bdramsey

people will never learn about drinking and driving, I have an uncle that has been in prision for drinking and driving, I think he as 3 or 4 convictions under his belt, plus the uncounted money he's spent. And I finally told him not to comeout here and drink because I did'nt want to be at all anyway responsible for him if he gets another one or gets an accident. The rules change when somone gets killed in a alcohol related accident. They get a whole lot more severe and applicable. which they should be.

Crimedog

Thanks for the advice and concern, guys. Good advice about brining it to a dealer. I am going to call the agent right now and set up an appointment for an estimate. I haven't even looked under the truck yet, it's too sickening to see it as it sits You can actually see the rear driver side of the bed sink down a bit behind the wheel, God I hope that is just frame flex from not having a tire on

zulusafari

Is Minnesota a "No Fault" state?? If so, I would be looking for an attorney so you don't have to absorb the cost! She was legally drunk and should pay the whole ticket!

Crimedog

I just got off the phone with the insurance agent, she said that I wouldn't have to pay for the deductible or anything, except I might have to cover a portion of the $190 towing bill I'll be taking that one up with claims. There isn't much opposition, considering she was legally drunk

zulusafari

Glad to hear that. Sometimes, though, getting all you should get can be like wringing a real plan from John Kerry! Sorry for the political jab....

Seriously, good to hear that all should be covered.

$190 for a tow! I am in the WROOONNNGG business!!

BIG&BAD

wow thats sucks
glad your ok

man these truck are tough
arent you glad you had bump stops to help with the impact

MnTom

That really sucks Matt. If the truck does get totaled, look into buying the truck back and then find a used rear end and put a flatbed on it. You might even come out a little ahead too!!!
Tom