Truck wrecked, probably totaled, whats next?

[martindc1]

So a youngster pulled out in front of me driving my 67 K20 the other day and we collided. Nobody was seriously injured thankfully.

I'm assuming the 67 will be totaled. The front clip is completely destroyed. What should I expect next? I've never been in a wreck and don't really know about this process. The truck was a good driver but was in the best shape cosmetically. My plan is to keep the truck and restore it though.

I will post a pic or two once the process is completed.

[gotchevys?]

That sucks man. I'm glad nobody was hurt.

[Sport/Truck]

The only thing I can recommend (you and everyone) take pictures of the scene & try to get pictures of as many whiteness (w/ license plates) before they drive off.
Was the youngster cited? - If so, this will help your case.

Other than getting your truck back to your house (if not already), that's about all I can think of at the moment.

[hugger6933]

Don't sign anything . Please don't threaten the insurance guy with a lawyer. I know everyone says to get one and be ready to use him ,but just think you don't care for someone coming in your work telling you what you are gonna do. I own a body shop and have since the late 80's. ( times out of 10 if you let the adjusters do their job, they are almost always fair. Now I did say almost. I know some will come on here withtheir horror stories and I regret that happening. Now the kids insurance adjuster guy may come look and say it is worth 200 bucks or it is worth 5000. and a lot of that may be on how you approch him when he comes to look. I am pretty sure that the owner has the right to retain salvage in almost every case there are some eceptions to that as with everything else. If you were to do that they will dedect a small amount of the check to "sell"you your truck back to you. If they do that they may tell you that the title will have to be branded salvage but I say check your local dmv some states have an exclusion law for age[ InAR it is ten years] good luck

[jjzepplin]

Same thing happened to me. See if you can get them to "NOT TOTAL" your vehicle. Usually they want to take it from you if they do that. I was able to get low blue book for mine and keep the vehicle to boot. Check your frame as they bend real easy in accidents. Just glad every one is alright. Front fenders and such are not that hard to find and are pretty easy to replace.

[treveiger]

Interested
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[406 Q-ship]

Do your own leg work before the kids adjuster even gets near the truck. Figure out its real world value and have it documented so when you see the adjuster you can give him/her copies to let the insurance company know your armed with knowledge. This way they will not see you as a push over or can be held hostage to them over paying off of the truck. See if you can get a rental truck from them, it will speed them up on paying. DO NOT let them take the truck from you until a settlement you both agree on. For armed is fore warned. I have found that for the most part insurance companies are getting better at handling of vintage vehicle claims, not all though. Remember that insurance, in their eyes is not to return you to pre-accident but to get you to take the least amount of money possible. Don't play the lawyer game on only property damage, it will blow up in your face because they know that lawyers will not take your case pro-bono due to the low pay out on property damages.

[martindc1]

Good info, thanks. The adjuster is coming over tomorrow. I have a copy of the accident report, it doesn't say that the kid was cited but it does assign fault. It just so happens that both the kid and myself are insured through the same company and same agent, which sort of makes me nervous.

[71swb4x4]

Having the same company and agent should make things go much quicker and smoother for you. Of course there are exceptions to every rule but it really should go better.

[desertnick69]

That really sucks. I had the same thing happen to me on April 1st 2011. 1969 C-20 been in the family for 42 yrs(see A good Truck).Its totaled it. The good thing is i have a parts truck and have started rebuilding a bout two weeks ago. Hope you get her back on the road soon.

As far as not getting hurt! My injuries did not show up for two weeks. I had a split splen, and a mass amount of trama to my back. I got a lawyer before their insurance company ajuster cam out, its a good thing they ony wanted to give me $2500.00 for this truck. Suggetion GET A LAWYER.

[desertnick69]

Here is a look at what mine looked like. Just to give you an idea. It busted the frame in two places

[fine69]

Who was the agent? Im just West of you in Urbana. Let me know if you need any help.

[rmcc]

I work for an auto insurer and the best advice I can give you is to give the insurance company a chance and time to handle the claim. Often times the claims handler will be delayed ifhey have trouble contacting all the drivers and/or witnesses involved. I can tell you that most insurance companies today strive for customer satisfaction and will work with you to reach an agreement that you can agree to and they can justify paying. You will definitely be better off with a clear title if you plan to put the truck back on the road.
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[oldschool18]

I would check the frame out first cause if you got to search for a frame and fender and hood and so on you might be over your head, I got hit a couple years ago and the insurance company game me more than what my s-10 blazer was worth, you got to way your options and see what kinda money your going to get back if they total it or if you buy it back

[jhngardner367]

It can be strange dealing with insurance companies,for sure.
A few years ago,I bought a Honda Goldwing.I had full coverage on it,since I had just laid out $3900,for it.
Three weeks after I bought it,some punks vandalised it,breaking the mirrors,scratching paint and windshield,and tearing up the saddlebags,and trunk,and slashing the seat cover.
The 3 bodyshops I got quotes from,were at $3200-$4000,so the insurance Co. wanted to total it,and replace it.I pointed out that it still ran,and was safe to drive,and that the body shops weren't familiar with 'cycles.I said I could completely redo it for $1800. My agent said if I wanted to do it,I could sign off on the claim,keep the bike,and just show it to him,when it was done.I agreed,and he gave me a check--for $1900.
3&1/2 weeks later,it was done,and I drove it to my agent's office.He checked the #s,and the receipts,and smiled.Then,we went into his office,and he gave me the names of 2 others, that needed repairs/paint! He said that ,since I saved the company$2000,and was honest about it,they would authorize my work(I was certified for body/paint/mechanical,at the time).