Was in a multi-vehicle accident on monday.Myself and my 6 yr old daughter were sitting dead still stopped when a mini-van pulled out in front of oncoming traffic and a vehicle hit the van and shot over in my lane and hit us head on.We drove my truck home(1/8 mile away)(bent frame and all) others are totalled!WAY TO GO FORD FOR BUILDING THE SAFEST PICKUP IN THE WORLD!!!!!! NO ONE WAS INJURED IN MY TRUCK!!! THANK GOD AND FORD!! Impact was estimated at around 45mph. Now my brand new truck is junk to me because it has very bad cosmetic damage and a bent right side frame rail. Any suggestions on how in the world they can fix my truck to new and not repaired. It was new before accident,only 12000 miles.The body shop says they think they can straighten the frame and repair cosmetic damage but I will never be satisfied with a repaired truck!! All suggestions welcomed! 2004 F150 SCAB 4X4 FX4 Thanks to all !!

 

Sorry to hear of your misfortune wfo, happy to hear nobody got hurt in your truck. I believe with the modern technology today's body shops are using you might be surprised with the results. You don't really have an option of not letting your insurance company attempt to fix it do you? Are they giving your the option of a total? Wish you the best of luck and stay safe out there.

-Glenn

 

Glenn, Thanks. Adjuster has not called me as of yet to discuss the accident.My insurance company is not involved in this,it is the mini-vans insurance company that the state trooper told me to call and tell them which body shop I would be taking it to.Won't this accident show-up in a carfax report once repairs are done?I am being very open-minded about this because I don't want to take a loss on this truck come resale time!Thanks for your kind words about my family.MAY God Bless You AND YOUR FAMILY!

 

I am glad everyone is OK. Had a similar, non moving crash a year ago this week.
No question of who was at fault.

Now the fun begins. Most accidents, you will start by going through your insurance, even though it's the other guys fault. That is only legally determined later.
That's OK, because this way, even if he fights it(and he might) you can get started on the process of getting it fixed.
I assume you want it totaled, as you will never feel right in it again.
Get lots of pictures if you can. before it is worked on.
Think carefully about how it drove home. Did the impact cause transmission damage?
Any new leaks under the beast?
Did the motor run ragged?
That could indicate that there is more very expensive hidden damage.
A bit of antifreeze around under the hood might imply the radiator is damaged.

And noticing and mentioning these things when you talk to an adjuster can go a long way.

Think about what I am suggesting.
Check things very carefully.

Some accidents show up on Carfax, and that kills resale dead.

Total or salvage stuff should always show up on Carfax and its competition, but even major work shows sometimes. There are a lot of variables. Any time someone contacts the DMV re your truck, it shows up. Sometimes even service work will show on a Carfax.

Assume this will show as major damage, and use that information with your other data that you will usu when you 'dispute' the findings of the adjuster.

Also, be very sure that you and your child are not hurt. It took me three days after the last accident to start to hurt in my lower back. Not a big thing, but it did take a couple trips to the doctor, and some medication. My wife had pain all through her back and neck. Again, not really major, but a couple doctor visits, which the other people had to pay for, as was right.

Be really sure that a week from now, if your child suddenly has a sore neck, etc. that you check it out.

They can do a great job fixing up vehicles nowadays.

One other thing, even if they ‘total’ the truck, you might be surprised at how little they would give you. Be sure of the amount before you sign final papers.
Best of luck, and may God continue to watch over you and yours
Chris

 

Thanks Chris,May God Bless you and your family!Very good points you have made!Just don't want to get done in by big money!I will call my insurance company quickly!!Every little bit HELPS!!Thanks again!!

 

Sometimes a little damage can equate to quite a bit in repair dollars. My f150 took a hit a few weeks ago and it basically remodled/ripped the bumper and moved the hitch. Thats was all I could see, but you should see the paper work listing all the stuff, its really long. Final total was $1,950.00. Labor was easily more than half. And, like you I'm very thankful everybody was in the Ford and okay. The truck rides and looks new and it was all done on the other's guys insurance.

A friend got rear ended by a Surburban (same kind hit mine) a week later. She and the three kids were in a minivan. The minivan is toast from the rear axle back, and they have all been and are still seeing a chiropractor. They don't know when she will get her car back.

In both hits the airbag in the surburban did not go off. I'm assuming they were in working order, just the impact was not great enough.

 

Thanks, My air bags never went off either!I asked the state trooper and he said it had to be from the angle we were hit??Any how everyone in my truck is ok for now.

 

wfofishing, Also glad to hear everybody's OK. You might ask about having the frame replaced, not straightend. My brother-in-law owns a body shop and he's told me that trying to get these new frames straight is more work than it's worth, especially with the Hydroforming that is used now. My 2 cents worth.

 

Glad to hear everybody is ok.

You would be surprised as to what a well equipped frame shop, and I mean frame shop, NOT a body shop, can do.

With laser frame aligners and multi-point frame straightening machines, your truck will be fine.

Try to hold out for a new frame though. I doubt they will write off the whole truck, with only 12000 miles on it.

Just be glad you and your family members didnt get hurt. You can get a new truck, but you can't replace a daughter.

 

wfofishing, Glad to hear you all are okay. These trucks are just sheet metal that can be replaced. I think I would tell the insurance company that you would prefer a new truck. If they do not seem cooperative in that regard I would ask for a new frame and all new body parts. I would say "NO" to any bondo. Good Luck!

 

If there was ever an industry (other than Wall Street) that will "screw" one it's the body shop world. Being a practicing attorney for 20+ years I can assure you that my statement has MANY hours behind it arguing/litigating/arguing more for my clients. I have NEVER met a more contentious group of people to deal with. NOT ALL OF COURSE. Many are very HARD WORKING "legit" employees/employers. This industry's "mark ups" are INCREDIBLE, which lead to insane car repair costs. And I've yet to meet a POOR body shop owner.

 

ArtsBest I never met a POOR attorney.

 

The "body shop world" (to which I have been a member of for many years) has just been exposed as contentious shysters by an attorney!????

 

It is great (considering) that you and your daughter are OK. Since you were stopped and in no way liable for any part of the wreck, you are in a very good position to deal with the insurance companies; hopefully the minivan driver has insurance and was cited by the police. You can help force your truck to be totaled if that is what you want. First, make sure they give you a rental F150 with at least the same body style (scab, screw etc), 4x4, trailer tow etc that you will need so you can use the rental as you did your truck. Making them come up with a comparable truck will cost the insurance company considerably more than a Focus or a Hyundai. Also require they use only new genuine Ford parts for the repair and do what you can to force the frame replacement.

The insurance company needs to make you whole again and mitigate and inconvienence to you. If the insurance company wants to be jerks, hire an attorney and make sure the insurance company understands they will end up paying his fees too.

Good luck!

 

That crossed my mind too...
I don’t do body work, but have dealt with a dozen or so body shops over the years. I found them actually better than most businesses, nothing like some businesses, say attorneys…
But I was still reacting to the Wall Street thing. Wall Street is mostly big reputable companies.
DU website, your missing some of your people, please come get them...
Chris