Hey Folks,
I just got my 1998 4Runner two weeks ago and already hit a tree! I was going about 20 mph down my private school's back gravel entrance and did not know it was completely rutted and washboard. Well, the ruts are about 5x3" and they immediately flung the back end out. I countersteered but the front wheels caught more ruts, sending the trunk flying through the bushes and deflecting off of a pine tree. I didn't hit the pine head-on, but it hit the passenger corner of the front bumper, caved in the front passenger fender and also completely took out the passenger rear door. It shattered the rear sail glass and scratched up all side glass. The hood is bent, needing replacement and messed up the fuse box, etc. under the hood. None of the side windows will roll up. The worst part is that the rear wheel caught a bit of the tree and it wanked the back axle. I limped it about a half-mile, but it seems like it sheared off of a mount of some sort. There are no fluid leaks.

Pictures of the road and 4Runner will come tomorrow.

But I am a senior at this private high-school, Baylor in Chattanooga, TN. I have never had an accident nor gotten any sort of ticket. I'm not the type who looks for others to blame, but the road is such a hazard and with no warning of ruts. This could have happened to anyone. I want Baylor to pick up the $1000 deductable at the very least. My insurance co. is State Farm, with $1000 collision deductable and no towing insurance. I wonder if they will total my truck?

Will State Farm try to low-ball me on the value of my truck? It is (was) a 1998 4Runner SR5 V6 4wd with leather and sunroof, automatic, no rear diff lock. What should I tell the adjuster? Should I be out there with him? Do I accept their first offer?

Sorry for the questions and long post, but im really frustrated!

 

i wouldn't accept their first offer.

 

Did you use the 4x4?

 

Yup, i was in 4 hi. That may be a part of the problem, as the traffic investigator ( who was uninvlolved but a friend of the security guard) said I should have been in 2 hi. There is no accident report as it was single-vehicle and on private property.

 

The KBB Private Party value is $11,095 in Good condition, $11,885 in Excellent, $10,045 in Fair. The condition before the wreck was Good, almost but not quite Excellent, because it had 2 minor fender benders in 1999 but never frame damage. I bought it 2 weeks ago for $10,800

 

You won't get any money out of the school and no, don't accept their offer no matter what it is.

 

Doubt they would total it. Take their check from the estimate, and get it fixed at a really cheap shop. Might not be the best work, but it's only a 4Runner. Drive and use it as it was intended, a mode of transportation and not something to wax and take pictures off. Take what's left of the check and set it aside for a driving school and higher insurance premiums

 

I'm gonna go to the business office tomorrow and try to milk some money. As for State Farm, do I propose my own offer as to the value of the truck? Would it be better if it were totalled?

 

You have a 4Runner and you're only in High School!!!!!!! What happened to driving the family beater car. When I was in Prep school in New Hampshire, we weren't even allowed to have TVs or telephones in our rooms let alone cars on campus

 

Trust me, I work my ass off, its MY 4Runner that I earned. NOT DADDY's. That is the reason why I can hardly afford the deductable, let alone the cheapest mod. Maybe an ARB or TJM can go on now...

 

I'm only 18 and I own a 4runner. That I bought myself. I've always loved the look of them and when I finally had the money I bought one.

Sorry to hear about your Runner G4R Those ruts are killer. I know all about them.

 

Thanks for the support, I need it right now!
More help and replies are appreciated! Thanks!

 

I live right up the road in Cleveland. I doubt that Baylor is going to give you anything. They will likely say that u are in the wrong. I wouldnt get your hopes up on them paying. Sorry that I dont have any good news. I couldnt stand seeing my runner injured after I hit a deer.

 

I'm the same as you man. I wish i had a 1st Gen, too.

Sorry to hear about the 'Runner. Hopefully you can get back into another soon.

 

your photobucket link doesn't appear to work.

As for totaling your truck....
if you think you can get blue book value out of it, and then get a comparable truck for the value, do it. However, you'll find that isn't going to happen. I've heard stories of people rolling cars off of the interstate and the insurance companies not totaling them out.
I've had a few cars in the past that have been involved in minor fender benders (none my fault)....i took the cash and ran. I actually had to beg an adjuster to not total my car out. I ended up taking $200 less, but I got $1500 in cash, got new tires, brakes, shocks, beer, and some folding money.

Do a search on here and elsewhere about your insurance company and the policies in your state. People have posted before about having a vehicle totaled out and then being able to buy it back from the insurance company for a very small amount. You might be able to part out the left side, the engine and interior and make a decent about.

Good luck.
Remember that the insurance company is never going to lose money on the deal. You've already lost $1000 from your deductible, so push and push on them until you get a better deal.

 

bad link

 

Sorry about the pics, I'm new to the whole hosting thing. I'm also computer illiterate.

As for the truck, the wrecker came today and towed it off. It looks like it won't be totalled. State Farm selected Capital Toyota of Chattanooga, TN (where I am) to do the work.

 

Photobucket

Enjoy!

 

Hopefully the interior stayed dry with all those storms we had today.

 

Yeah, as I was loading the 4Runner on the flatbed today, water was all over the back carpet. Plus, when I hit the tree I had two Sonic cherry slushees that spilled everywhere and won't be cleaned up for a month! Oh well...