Is my truck totaled?

[thirdparty]

The valet had my truck for about 5 minutes and managed to hit the only light pole in the empty part of the parking lot. I was notified about an hour later after the tribal cops (happened at a casino hotel lot), ambulance, hotel managers, etc. dealt with the driver. I wasn't allowed to see the video or talk to anyone about what happened, but it appears he was speeding through the lot to the end of the long line of parked cars and took a very wide turn and slammed head on into the 2 ft. diameter concrete base of the light pole in the middle of an open part of the lot.

The valet has accepted responsiblity. The risk manager has provided a loaner free of charge. The risk manager offered to tow it to an associated body shop back in Texas. One of the owners of the valet owns a body shop--very convenient. But, most likely planned to keep their costs low from damage claims caused by their idiot employees.

This truck has major damage. The hidden Trail Tailor winch plate is totally pancaked, slightly torn at the area where it caps the frame. The right side of the engine bay is pushed up, the radiator is pushed back but is not touching the pulleys. The front doors are hard to open as the fenders have closed the fitment gap. One very weird fact is that the airbag did not deploy. I can't tell if this is because of the hidden winch and mounting plate and winch.

I am worried about the following:

1. How do I determine if there is frame or engine damage? How can I be sure the engine or transmission won't crater 6 months from now?
2. Is there any shop in the Dallas area where I could take it and get an expert Toyota estimate?

Any help here is appreciated. I'm literally in the busiest part of my entire 25 year career and have been traveling 3-4 days a week in various cities all over Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana and will be for the next 3 months.

Pics:

 

[i4c4lo]

I would get your own body shop to give you an estimate and not rely on the valet company. Maybe compare the difference on the estimate. I am sorry but that is a lot of damage. Wow. Good luck with your workload and I hope it eases soon.

Stuart's Paint & Body up in Plano (from another thread asking the same thing)

Thread 'Need Sales Comps, Insurance Company Totaling my beloved Bic Jet'

Oct 20, 2025

It's a 2020 HE and Iam looking for actual sales comps in the Texas market. Arguing for a settlement and they are giving me nothing for skids, rock rails, LRA, Slee rear bumper, ARB front, upgraded suspension, etc. Anything will help. Thanks,

• BIC JET
• Replies: 20
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

 

[doru]

The door thing is not too alarming. It is the fenders not the doors. Fenders can swift without necessarily a bent frame.

To answer the "total" question first is to figure out if this is going through any insurance Co, or is just the casino paying your chosen shop to fix it.

If no insurance involved there is no one to total it.

If insurance, then it gets complicated and I recommend searching this forum as there are a few sagas for you to read to see a few different paths this can go. Usually insurance don't total a newer LC even when fixing is $10k. But if the frame is bent they will, not because it's a safety issue (even if they say so) but because that is the industry practice in US.

Looking at the pics you do have some bending at the tow point. That can be fixed. Question is what else is under the damaged skin. Only a shop can tell you after some partial disassembly.

I don't think the airbag has to do with your winch. It acts based on shock not deformation. I would say the winch plate makes the impact bigger for the airbag sensors than the original Toyota bumper meant to absorb the impact. Maybe the winch reduced the damage though.

Unless there is damage to the frame or to engine or transmission mounts, they both should be fine - you said they where not impacted by anything. For your peace of mind you should ask the shop to replace the mounts.

I see fluid under the truck. Is that windshield fluid or coolant If coolant was the truck left running with low fluid? That puts the headgasket at high risk of failure.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[thirdparty]

thank you very much, i'm making a list of things i need to ask and will add the mounts to that list. the fluid is radiator fluid. it had a very small leak after the accident. I was told it was driven about 30 feet and parked with no significant leakage. I started the truck that night for about 5 seconds to see if would run. it started and i shut it off very quickly. the fluid only leaked significantly overnight and it was never started after that.

 

[thirdparty]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a private damage assessment who could give me an objective report on things like the frame, engine, transmission, all mounts, body work, etc. so I can have them fix everything? I see that Collision Safety Consultants is highly recommended from the other thread.

CSC would be able to do a private evaluation of the damages, right?

 

[thirdparty]

Shout out to Nick at CSC. He was super helpful and recommended I get the truck to a first rate shop to really understand the damage. He might be able to really help after that.

 

[Artie]

I shouldn’t have read this before bed… I’m mad for you.

No chance I’d use their associated body shop. I’d hand all communications to my lawyer and seek full indemnity and nothing less.

Damn, this sucks.

 

[BIC JET]

I took mine to Park Place Collision over on Peeler street near Love Field. Ask for Adam Perry. Most likely it will need to be towed there. Do you have a claim filed with the Casino’s Valet Company? Have they assigned an adjuster?

 

[thirdparty]

I took mine to Park Place Collision over on Peeler street near Love Field. Ask for Adam Perry. Most likely it will need to be towed there. Do you have a claim filed with the Casino’s Valet Company? Have they assigned an adjuster?

I talked to my local shop in Houston that did all of my upgrade work, Duggy's Garage, they recommended CARSTAR Bass Collision. It is being sent there for the workup then repair. I still need to figure out how to handle the Trail Tailor/Warn hidden winch setup that was destroyed.

 

[mattjm321]

Bummer. Was valet third party contractor or part of the casino? If casino, I'd be surprised if they weren't self-insured.

If I were you, I'd get it towed to your home area/state. I'd then file a claim with your own insurance company because that way you'll control the timeline with the rental care coverage and you'll get a third party assessment of totaled or not. Your insurance will subrogate the casino's insurance, if they aren't self insured. Go ahead and get a police report and contact info if you haven't already.

 

[40thAnnivCruiser]

Looking at that pic that is a significant amount of damage. Even if not totalled would you really want it back after that repair? Even though bags didnt go off thats moderate to severe damage on carfax and def a ding on resale value (diminished value). Also depends on mileage on your rig.

If you never plan to sell I'd say then repair and keep it but to me I would weigh all your options. Have their body shop give you an estimate and as usual practice get 2 others. Im pretty sure their body shop will undervalue the cost of repair. Id ensure they use factory parts in their estimates though. Dont settle for white box crap from parts suppliers.

 

[thirdparty]

Looking at that pic that is a significant amount of damage. Even if not totalled would you really want it back after that repair? Even though bags didnt go off thats moderate to severe damage on carfax and def a ding on resale value (diminished value). Also depends on mileage on your rig.

If you never plan to sell I'd say then repair and keep it but to me I would weigh all your options. Have their body shop give you an estimate and as usual practice get 2 others. Im pretty sure their body shop will undervalue the cost of repair. Id ensure they use factory parts in their estimates though. Dont settle for white box crap from parts suppliers.

It's going to a local shop I trust. They will do all OEM estimate and look closely for frame, motor mount damage, etc.

 

[DesertRider]

Having had front end damage on a car from hitting a tree I suggest if at all possible have it totalled. It will never be as good as new after repairs and the carfax will show the damage so your resale won't be as good as a vehicle without an accident.