Bronco crash... what now

[Marsh]

I got in a crash today (not my fault), does anyone have any advice for me? What should I do next, I don't know what I should do from here. Do you guys think it will be totaled or not? my insurance should cover up to $35,000. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Florida is a no fault state so it will go though my insurance, also it looks like the other driver doesn't have insurance. Sorry if any of my questions seem stupid, I'm 18 so I don't have much experience with crashes, insurance, or what it would take to fix it.
Thanks,
Marshall

 

[BajaBronco]

I got in a crash today (not my fault), does anyone have any advice for me? What should I do next, I don't know what I should do from here. Do you guys think it will be totaled or not? my insurance should cover up to $35,000. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Marshall

I'm sorry to see this. Looks like you lost a wheel and gained a mudflap. My advice as a former body shop manager, state farm direct repair, and long time Bronco owner - dont agree to anything just yet- but let insurance quote the job and then report back. Meanwhile...find your missing wheel....will help with axle repair estimate.

 

[Marsh]

I'm sorry to see this. Looks like you lost a wheel and gained a mudflap. My advice as a former body shop manager, state farm direct repair, and long time Bronco owner - dont agree to anything just yet- but let insurance quote the job and then report back. Meanwhile...find your missing wheel....will help with axle repair estimate.

Thanks, I found the wheel and its with the bronco in the tow yard while I figure out where it should be taken.

 

[ransil]

not your fault , the other guys insurance should take care of it

 

[grant_71]

That sucks, but it looks like the damage is fairly contained. And as a member of this site we know ALL the panels are available to fix it. Definelty look around the truck for other damage to the frame, doors, strikers, etc.

I dont see why it wouldnt be fixable.

Side note: this picture, reminds me of Sloth from the Goonies

 

[fatboy]

I will make the assumption from your post that you are ok. No injuries? It's just a truck, though it is your truck but it is replaceable. What Baja said though, do not agree to anything yet. Get the estimate first. Many years ago, my wife rolled our Jeep. It was a square headlight truck but it was a real clean rig that we bought from her father (all his stuff is immaculate). I fought with the insurance company and eventually got full price for it minus our deductible, their original offer was about half the actual value. Stick to your guns, but above all else be nice. It is hard to be nice when someone is not being reasonable in your eyes but remember they have no attachment to it. I was in customer service/ claims for a few years and I dealt with big numbers ($1mil) claims. It was always the same, they started yelling and they went to the bottom of the list. So be nice but be firm. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[OX1]

Look like frame is not bent, or at least maybe only confined to fwd of suspension mount points, which means it just has to get back to good enough to bolt body back on.

I guess bolt on bumpers are not the way to go, that thing is beefy and should have provided a little more protection if it didn't fall off.

 

[sprdv1]

not your fault , the other guys insurance should take care of it

X2... Hold em to it too.

Sux that it happened, but what can you do.

Good luck bud

 

[Teal68]

Sorry that happened,and I hope you are okay. I don't think they will total it with the amount of coverage you have. It looks very repairable.

 

[xcntrk]

Boy that really sucks, glad to hear you're okay. The damage doesn't "look" that bad from a repair standpoint. One thing I would never do is let the insurance total the rig and take possession. Meaning you need to keep this rig as it can be repaired regardless of insured value/loss/etc. Many here have brought rigs back to pristine condition from MUCH worse.

Did you buy this rig fully restored from one of the restoration shops? It looks familiar..

PS: I would never install a bumper on just the frame-horn tabs alone and the pics are why.

 

[englewoodcowboy]

Man I am sorry to see that! Glad you are OK! It can be fixed and as others said get an estimate, do nothing and report back. There are plenty of professional members here that can give you the scoop when they see more. More pics always help and their findings will too. It is def fixable!

 

[needabronco]

Don't go where the insurance company says to go! You can choose to go to ANY body shop you want to. I'd look for the best shop in your area. Don't agree to anything before doing your research first.

 

[wildbill]

%)%)%)I would get the bronco home storage will eat a lot of the money. If it was mine I would have it fixed. Good luck. Bill

 

[BajaFresh75]

...and your neck hurts, right??

 

[JAFO]

Remember the insurance company is not your friend. If in doubt seek advice from a reputable lawyer.
Don't let the insurance total the truck. Unless you can have it totaled and then YOU buy it from the insurance agency. Where are you going to get another Bronco as good? That truck can be put back like new again.
Get your truck towed back home where it is safe until you figure out how it will be repaired.
Glad you are OK.

 

[Marsh]

not your fault , the other guys insurance should take care of it

Florida is a no fault state, so it's going through my insurance. Also the the people in the other car didn't speak English, and the police said there was no proof of insurance in their car.

 

[Eoth]

A lot depends on your insurance company and the state you live in. Seeing the vegetation in the pic, I assume Florida? Probably the biggest factor is how your policy is written and its "fine print". Every situation is different but don't expect them to roll out the red carpet and take care of everything without you pushing them... Make sure you involve whoever SOLD you your policy. Your insurance broker wants to keep you as a customer (so he continues to get a commission off of your policy).
Do not sign anything until you are 100% happy (and do not accept promises to take care of things in the "future").
If you are hurt in any way (no matter how minor), see a lawyer.

 

[FordBronc]

Sorry to see that happen, bottom line as long as YOU are physically ok that is what really matters. The emotional scars will heal over time and so will that Bronco.

Stick to you guns with the insurance company, they will just want to get off or out of it as cheap as possible. If they to want to total and just pay you off, see if you can buy it back for cheap, you never know till you ask.

Maybe the fact that the bumper failed took the blunt of the impact? If it had held, you could of lost the frame for sure, been spun around and really hurt yourself.

Hang in there and watch out for delayed injuries to show up.

 

[Marsh]

Boy that really sucks, glad to hear you're okay. The damage doesn't "look" that bad from a repair standpoint. One thing I would never do is let the insurance total the rig and take possession. Meaning you need to keep this rig as it can be repaired regardless of insured value/loss/etc. Many here have brought rigs back to pristine condition from MUCH worse.

Did you buy this rig fully restored from one of the restoration shops? It looks familiar..

PS: I would never install a bumper on just the frame-horn tabs alone and the pics are why.

I bought it from a member here, it was restored by build a bronco.

 

[tmacstickman]

Man, I am glad that you are ok, but understand how you must feel right now. Based on the details you have provided on the other driver, it may be a tough road ahead. Good luck with it.