What can I do with my newly totaled truck?

[linderlizzie]

I lent my pickup truck to a friend who was going over to the VA Hospital. He was going 65 mph in the pouring rain, hit a puddle that was also a hole and rammed into some immovable object that crushed the entire side of it in so that you can not possibly open the door. It also probably bent the frame because the cab is bent away from the bed and the truck is generally done for. You can tell it's not safe to drive.

Bad news is I only had liability on it since it's a '98. I never dreamed it would ever get totaled. I loved the truck because I liked lending it to people for moving stuff, and I took all my tree limbs to the dump in it.

I'm not sure if there's any way I can salvage anything from it or not, but it was well taken care of and surely has some parts that could help someone out and save me from a total loss. Any ideas? 

[BlackSheepNY]

I lent my pickup truck to a friend who was going over to the VA Hospital. He was going 65 mph in the pouring rain, hit a puddle that was also a hole and rammed into some immovable object that crushed the entire side of it in so that you can not possibly open the door. It also probably bent the frame because the cab is bent away from the bed and the truck is generally done for. You can tell it's not safe to drive.

Bad news is I only had liability on it since it's a '98. I never dreamed it would ever get totaled. I loved the truck because I liked lending it to people for moving stuff, and I took all my tree limbs to the dump in it.

I'm not sure if there's any way I can salvage anything from it or not, but it was well taken care of and surely has some parts that could help someone out and save me from a total loss. Any ideas? 

If you've got any friends who know anything about cars/trucks, they could probably tell you whether the frame was bent.  Just because the cab is pulled away from the bed doesn't mean the frame is bent.  My ex was in a similar situation.  His cab was skewed from the bed, too, but his FRAME wasn't bent or broken.  He decided to sell it instead of fixing it and got rid of it that way.

You could put it on craigslist, sell it "as is" and "good for PARTS."  I understand you can't "part it out" yourself, so maybe see if you could just sell the whole truck for parts.  You can specify in the ad that it's "all or nothing."  Good luck!  I hope you make something off it.

[countrygirl12]

I lent my pickup truck to a friend who was going over to the VA Hospital. He was going 65 mph in the pouring rain, hit a puddle that was also a hole and rammed into some immovable object that crushed the entire side of it in so that you can not possibly open the door. It also probably bent the frame because the cab is bent away from the bed and the truck is generally done for. You can tell it's not safe to drive.

Bad news is I only had liability on it since it's a '98. I never dreamed it would ever get totaled. I loved the truck because I liked lending it to people for moving stuff, and I took all my tree limbs to the dump in it.

I'm not sure if there's any way I can salvage anything from it or not, but it was well taken care of and surely has some parts that could help someone out and save me from a total loss. Any ideas? 

I cannot grasp that at all.  How can you actually say you NEVER dreamed it could get totaled?  Bad things can happen to anyone and everyone.  I would probably sell it to a junk yard.  OR if the accident was totally his fault because of negligence you could make him pay for it.

I personally do not lend my vehicles to any one other than my mom. Or brother.

[dreamyxo]

Wow that's messed up.  Did your friend offer to pay?  Are you still even friends?  I'd be pissed.  This is why I don't lend anything to anyone.  People don't take care of your stuff and when something happens they want to get mad at you.  When you are using someone's things you should treat it with the utmost care.  Sounds like he was being totally reckless.  He should pay for it.

[notriko_mu]

A vehicle can be repaired whether the frame is bent or not - the difference is the cost and a large amount of time if the frame is actually bent. I think if the frame is bent and it is straightened that it will be classified as 'salvaged' which greatly reduces the value but would still be insurable. 

If you don't know someone that could assess the vehicle for you, you could call around to local body shops to see if they would be willing to check it for you and AAA and other services like that have free or lost cost towing fees to transport the vehicle.

As someone else mentioned you could go the craigslist root and sell it as whole 'as is' or 'good for parts' remember to have all your paperwork in order and transfer the title over, turn your plates in, notify your local department or bureau of motor vehicles. Maybe call them to  make sure you cover all your bases.

I sold my car that died to a salvage company for a few hundred dollars. They asked me questions about the exterior and interior components of the vehicle. And it sounds to me that there are definitely some parts that would have value in your case. I called around to local salvage yards and asked how much they would give me for it.

If you are interested, I can give you the name of the one I used. I had to give them the title of the vehicle, have a valid driver's license and take the plates off myself (to return to the BMV). They paid me cash which was nice.

I hope that it all works out for you and I hope that your friend is okay.

Best of luck.

[Tresbn00]

My son has totaled three cars in one year: a 2015 Subaru Impreza, a 2013 Subaru Impreza and a 2008 Accura. We were lucky in that nobody was hurt, we had liability insurance and the cars were mostly paid off. We actually got paid money for our cars. The future of his driving license is in question with his court date coming up at the beginning of June. We are holding off till June before we think about getting another car. I have an antique jeep that I drive and, although it is slow, I can always depend on it. My wife has a very nice Subaru Tribeca. If he gets a provisional license we will probably pick up a volkswagen beetle. Volkswagen's have always been dependable for me and they put the engine in the back. You might try talking to a few body shops to see if they would be interested in making an offer on your vehicle. Our body guy offered us more for the Accura then the insurance company was willing to pay.

[linderlizzie]

The "destroyer" bought it from me and is convinced that he can fix it. The evil twin inside me sometimes thinks he messed it up on purpose so he could buy it from me. Everyone wanted to buy it from me, including dealerships. I was determined to keep it for myself. I have a car too, but it's for fun. My truck was for working. And it was so cute. Just the right size for me. 

Thanks for all the advice. I do appreciate it very much.  Well, at least I don't have to look at it anymore. It hurt me to look at it all bent up like that, 'cause I always fall in love with my vehicles.

So now it's gone and I'll mourn it still for a while, but then again, it's only a "thing." 

[linderlizzie]

My son has totaled three cars in one year: a 2015 Subaru Impreza, a 2013 Subaru Impreza and a 2008 Accura. We were lucky in that nobody was hurt, we had liability insurance and the cars were mostly paid off. We actually got paid money for our cars. The future of his driving license is in question with his court date coming up at the beginning of June. We are holding off till June before we think about getting another car. I have an antique jeep that I drive and, although it is slow, I can always depend on it. My wife has a very nice Subaru Tribeca. If he gets a provisional license we will probably pick up a volkswagen beetle. Volkswagen's have always been dependable for me and they put the engine in the back. You might try talking to a few body shops to see if they would be interested in making an offer on your vehicle. Our body guy offered us more for the Accura then the insurance company was willing to pay.

Methinks maybe your son drives too fast. Perhaps he's distracted by other people in the car, the radio, or something else. Has he had any driver training?

Three cars in one year!! Why is he still driving at all???!!!

There's a reason why insurance is so high for the boys. They're careless with a machine that weighs two to three thousand pounds on roads with other people driving as big or bigger vehicles.

Teenagers believe they're indestructible, especially the boys.

Perhaps he should wait on getting a license until he's a little more responsible. Just my opinion. He's your child. Hope he survives his adolescence. 

[southernhorizons]

At least your friend offered to buy it. Really he should have paid for the damage, though. I'd be very upset if someone totalled my vehicle. (I understand mourning your loss; I'd probably do the same thing. I get too attached to my vehicles, and can't bear to part with them).

[snuggleycutejc]

So sorry for the totaled so sad truck death. Well, you have items for ebay, amazon etc... donation is tax...save the receipts good luck.   :angel11:truck :angel11:up-and-away wish for you is  .

[notriko_mu]

You have had a great attitude through this entire situation. I am glad you were able to get something for it. I offer my sympathy in your mourning period and hope you find another truck that you love as much someday!

[pmagalei]

You should have your friend pay for the damages even for repair at a shop. I am pretty sure there is something called responsibility. If the person driving your truck have some sense of respect, they should have slowed down considering road conditions. I think you should have him/her pay to repair it. A god lesson learnt never give your vehicle to someone if they are not on your insurance.

[mrrangerrick]

I'm sorry to hear about your truck, but I hope your friend is okay. Perhaps you can sell it for parts?

[moonangel]

he should buy you a replacement. not just pay a lil bit to buy it from you. he should have taken care of it like you did.  makes me wonder how he usually drove it when he borrowed it. i dont think i would let him borrow anything else ever again.

[sdenimandlace1]

You could call the junk yard and they will tell what they will give over the phone.  Or sell that and have the other person come and take them off the truck.  The person who wrecked it is not willing to pay anything toward getting it fixed?