Jeep front end collision

[Christian.mers]

Jeep was hit in the front end while I was asleep and the cops came up and woke me up. This dude must’ve been flying because he totaled his car in entirety. My assumption is he slammed that front bumper and the force broke that control arm. I saw fluid on the ‘ring’ of the Steering box and it tasted like ATF (what I use in my PS system) so I may have something other than the control arm broke. Frame doesn’t looked boogered up but I’m not a genius and there’s diff fluid coming from this yoke but it may have already been there jus by looking at the front driveshaft

Just for reference, this kid hit the jeep hard enough to somehow move it forward 20-30 feet with the trans in park and the emergency brake on. It moved forward….

What would you check first?

 

[JMT]

Well crap. That looks terrible. I’d just start crawling around underneath. The adjuster will come out. They’ll likely want to total it.

 

[Christian.mers]

I sure hope they don’t want to total it. I don’t think it’s too horrible but my mom seems pretty stressed about it. Also factoring in that this is my daily, it does suck a little bit. I can get that used LCA that’s not beat for $20 and I can probably fix it under the table but I’m guessing my mom wants to go the insurance route. I had previously had a wreck and the LCA mounts got rewelded with IRO 1/4” steel so that they didn’t get bent again and I’m glad I made that call.

It just sucks because I finally got it back on the road and the trans rebuilt and I buttoned it up and it was all going good. Seems to be my luck though….

 

[TheBoogieman]

My old Jeep got hit while I was turning, by a car traveling 50mph. I crawled underneath it before the insurance adjuster got to it to check out the damage. The original estimate was $1600, so they didn't total it. I made them replace the axle, control arms, track bar, sway bar, springs, shocks, wheel, tire, driveshaft, and check out the transfer case for any damage. Total went up to nearly $6,000 and they still paid for it all. Good luck.

 

[Christian.mers]

How did you make them pay for all that when the original quote was $1,600?

My only fear is a bent frame and and them trying to total me out on it but I’m trying to stay optimistic

 

[macleanflood]

Good luck!

-Mac

 

[Gilaguy23]

Far as the leak goes it kinda looks like its coming from the TC and running down the shaft. No flinging of oil from the pinion seal. That might be bad if the T case housing is cracked kinda thing. Bolt on parts are easy to replace, a bent frame not so much. Id do what you can to see where the frame is and go from there as far as fixes. Might have to have a frame shop have a look.

 

[KennethS]

I can get that used LCA that’s not beat for $20

You can get a new control arm with bushing for around $25, so don't bother with used parts.

 

[Christian.mers]

Far as the leak goes it kinda looks like its coming from the TC and running down the shaft. No flinging of oil from the pinion seal. That might be bad if the T case housing is cracked kinda thing. Bolt on parts are easy to replace, a bent frame not so much. Id do what you can to see where the frame is and go from there as far as fixes. Might have to have a frame shop have a look.

I hope not but I do want to get it back on the road and to a shop

 

[Christian.mers]

So they were talking with supervisor adjusters and they said they were right on the line of totaling it because It’s the fender, the bumper, the park light, the turn signal, the hood, the tire, and the paint job.

We finally got the police report so now they’re just look at pictures. The other guy had Progressive as well. His statement said “I was distracted by my phone and I hit the jeep parked on the side of the road” so I got a chuckle out of that. Mine was “Woke up to the police at my door and my jeep was hit”

 

[Steel City 06]

Regarding the frame, the most telling spot to look at is the absorption section. Somewhere along the frame rails near the front, there is a section with holes drilled through the corner of the tubing.

This is to allow it to crumple and absorb energy in a wreck. If this is bent, that is your telltale that significant repairs will be required.

 

[GATORB8]

Heads up, there is the chance that it creeps into Total anyway when the shop tears it down and identifies additional work.

If they total it, you don't have to immediately accept the offer. Pull DEALER listed Jeeps matching your specs and tell them you want enough money to walk in a put the check on the dealer desk.

 

[Christian.mers]

Dealer listed TJ’s? I do want to buy this jeep back if it is totaled. It was my father’s and it is the only thing left.

 

[GATORB8]

Dealer listed TJ’s? I do want to buy this jeep back if it is totaled. It was my father’s and it is the only thing left.

You want to maximize the cash they give you, dealers will be more expensive than private party. It shouldn't impact the salvage buy back price since that should be based on auction pricing.

They are compensating you for their idiot insured, you shouldn't get treated any different than if it was a new Mercedes he hit. That person would want to walk into a dealership and hand them the insurance check.

 

[Christian.mers]

So if they decide to total it, I can try to refute that and provide dealer listed jeeps to show market value is actually higher than private retail???

I guess I’m not fully understanding, this is the first time I’ve ever been in an accident where I’m not at fault

 

[GATORB8]

So if they decide to total it, I can try to refute that and provide dealer listed jeeps to show market value is actually higher than private retail???

I guess I’m not fully understanding, this is the first time I’ve ever been in an accident where I’m not at fault

Exactly. They'll likely offer you KBB, and that may (or may not) be a couple grand less than what's available in your area.

 

[Christian.mers]

For progressive It goes based on our area code and the condition of the vehicle, the miles, the options it has, sometimes they’ll add value for aftermarket add ons (big ones only if you added it to your policy)

Even if I were to gather more listings would it even make a difference if they have it set in their minds that the algorithm is the only way to determine the value

 

[TheBoogieman]

For progressive It goes based on our area code and the condition of the vehicle, the miles, the options it has, sometimes they’ll add value for aftermarket add ons (big ones only if you added it to your policy)

Even if I were to gather more listings would it even make a difference if they have it set in their minds that the algorithm is the only way to determine the value

It never hurts to try.

 

[lBasket]

For progressive It goes based on our area code and the condition of the vehicle, the miles, the options it has, sometimes they’ll add value for aftermarket add ons (big ones only if you added it to your policy)

Even if I were to gather more listings would it even make a difference if they have it set in their minds that the algorithm is the only way to determine the value

I've never been through it personally but read about it online, it is a negotiation not a flat value unless you're on some kind of agreed upon value policy. Many cases of getting more money than initial offer, whether DIY or by hiring an appraiser

 

[Christian.mers]

I’ll try to talk to my rep, she’s nice and all but I’m trying to get the most value of this and not get it totaled. I’m certain they will be towing it to a shop nearby to get it looked at, that shop has already agreed to do some field inspections on it and determine if they want to take it on. We’ll see…