Well I was driving down the road about a week ago when all of a sudden a meth head women came out of a side road that was shielded by a concrete wall(never saw her coming) and slammed into the side of me. It was similar to one of those mafia movies where they try to take out the boss as he is trying to cross an intersection. No drivers license, no insurance. I'm a male college student so I didn't want to pay the $1000 a year for collision insurance, and the comprehensive insurance I have covers none of this of course. I've gone down every avenue with my friends dad who is an attorney and I am truly SOL. Insurance companies don't offer uninsured driver property damage coverage in my state because 1/3 drivers don't have insurance here. Toyota has quoted me $5,540.78 to fix it. I need a new Right front fender w/o flare, right fender liner, right front door shell with molding, right rear door outer panel with out molding, and center caps. the quarter panel is fixable. I took it into the dealer to make sure it is mechanically sound, the alignment was very very slightly shifted from the last time they saw it, but the components are all in good shape and mechanically the car is 100% perfect, I took it on a 3 hour both ways road trip with my girlfriend and a couple of friends this weekend and going 70mph was able to hover my hands over the wheel for 1 whole minute(!!!!!!!!!) an It went 100% straight down the road(Thank the Lord for the the Land cruiser). However the right front passenger door is a bit screwed. It is slightly bent outward at the top and because of the fender being so messed up it will not open very much at all. It closes fine and appears to be water tight, but wind noise is pretty darn loud. I am assuming it is just the door that is bent and not the actual hinges on the body itself. So basically I need a new door shell. The rear door is totally fine. Opens and closes fine and the dent is really not that bad. the quarter panel damage doesn't seem that urgent. All the galvanization is still on the steel where the paint came off. Since I have basically no money and a year and a half of engineering school left. How would you guys say I proceed to fix that door so I don't have to have my girlfriend and friends crawl over to the other side or sit in the back, And So I can drive down the highway in peace again? Thank you all for your help. I won $20k cash in an engineering competition a couple of years ago and searched and searched for a vehicle that would give me nothing but the best reliability and strength that was available, this forum finally helped me answer that question. I spent $15k on this rig and I love it. I love how I can be in an accident like this, where the other persons 2007 Tahoe was undrivable, and drive away perfectly fine in my land cruiser. I know these repairs aren't that urgent but I would definitely like to get her into the shape she deserves to be in. BTW I also have collision insurance now and will never be without it again, and the other driver and I are totally fine.
fender bender cruiser
- Thread starter Ganndolf
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Glad your ok
Sent from my iPhone
2005 Lexus LX470
Sent from my iPhone
2005 Lexus LX470
Get a couple of estimates from some indy shops to compare. If nothing else ask if they can adjust door-fender alignment to get the door open and shut again. Make sure no water can get past the door seal.
If that fender trim could be replaced it would not look as bad. Touch up the bare metal. Then plan on a full repair down the road as funds allow.
If that fender trim could be replaced it would not look as bad. Touch up the bare metal. Then plan on a full repair down the road as funds allow.
I recently went through a similar situation, though I didn't have any door damage. I wound up finding my replacement parts in junk yards (made lots of calls and emails) but I got it all cheap in the end. Ebay has lot's of fender liners listed as well. Don't lose hope, you could get this fixed up for minimal costs if you put some time and elbow grease into it. I know it's hard to see through the muck right after it happens, but with a clear mind you can make this happen and still feel good about the truck.
I understand you have no recourse with your insurance, but I don't understand how you have no recourse against her? The 2007 Tahoe had no insurance leads me to believe there is no lien? Even if the totalled Tahoe is her only asset, it's still worth something.
No state safety inspections or emission testing in Okla, so no need for mandatory insurance. I see all kinds of junk on the roads up there.
No lien if you paid cash with casino money.
I grew up in Oklahoma and am appalled at some of the state laws. They collect state income tax but can't afford a safety inspections program or fix the roads?
As for your truck damage, lawyer up!
No lien if you paid cash with casino money.
I grew up in Oklahoma and am appalled at some of the state laws. They collect state income tax but can't afford a safety inspections program or fix the roads?
As for your truck damage, lawyer up!
dude you are an engineer 
reverse forces.... honest you can most likely bend the top of the door frame back in... block it open on the hinge side with a chuck of pine 2x4 and first just try pushing on the top of the window frame (window down) pretty sure you can bend it back to where it seals... you can close the door on a strip of paper to see where the gap is and mark end to end (use tape or a post it) where the paper slides... bend remeasure with your paper strip remark and bend some more...... front fenders are cheap... good complete doors around here are $250ea junk yard... the inner fender can be reused usually just plastic and a heat gun will bring it back to shape... that is about $1000 total in my world... but I like doing it and have tools... but I understand that 1k might as well be 5k if things are tight... I do think you can get it "presentable" and sealed up for $0 just pushing and poking
good luck... BTW for what the insurance would have cost you I'm not sure you aren't about even anyway...
I was once hit (ran a redlight crackhead) chick told the cops... "I don't know if I have insurance or not... the car was give to me... and I don't know if they gave me insurance with it or not"
not much you can get if they have nothing... 50% of americans can't come up with $500 cash with 24hr notice...
reverse forces.... honest you can most likely bend the top of the door frame back in... block it open on the hinge side with a chuck of pine 2x4 and first just try pushing on the top of the window frame (window down) pretty sure you can bend it back to where it seals... you can close the door on a strip of paper to see where the gap is and mark end to end (use tape or a post it) where the paper slides... bend remeasure with your paper strip remark and bend some more...... front fenders are cheap... good complete doors around here are $250ea junk yard... the inner fender can be reused usually just plastic and a heat gun will bring it back to shape... that is about $1000 total in my world... but I like doing it and have tools... but I understand that 1k might as well be 5k if things are tight... I do think you can get it "presentable" and sealed up for $0 just pushing and pokinggood luck... BTW for what the insurance would have cost you I'm not sure you aren't about even anyway...
I was once hit (ran a redlight crackhead) chick told the cops... "I don't know if I have insurance or not... the car was give to me... and I don't know if they gave me insurance with it or not"
not much you can get if they have nothing... 50% of americans can't come up with $500 cash with 24hr notice...
went back and looked at the pictures... IF you could live with it... I really think you could push shove pry everything back decent... replace the missing trim... and I think I saw some plasidip sp? spray in a dark silver... I think you could rattle can below the trim with it... and it most would never notice.... time to ditch the running boards anyway
I'm pretty sure that's how it is for us in CA... I was wondering about that too.
This wont help you now, but going forward, add Uninsured Motorist insurance to your policy. It is probably just a couple extra bucks and will protect you from situations exactly like this. There is just no way I would not have this after a few of the places I have lived. Good luck with the repairs, if you can be a little patient, I am confident you can find the parts you need.
I'm sorry my reply didn't include this to begin with. The most important thing is you are well, regardless of the financial impact. Money and things can always be replaced.