This Is Probably Goodbye

[jonbr]

Hi All,

Five years ago my mother-in-law died after a long illness - cancer. When my wife received her inheritance she bought me a brand new Rav 4 on an '04 plate as a thank you because when I was made redundant (rather than get a new job straight away and bank the money) I took six months off to look after her mother.

Last Thursday in rush hour traffic (I was at the end of the line of stationary traffic) I got rear ended by a %$^&ing prat in a white van. He hit me so hard that I then rammed the car on front even though my handbrake was on. I understand that the driver of the van is being charged with careless driving as the police have said he was doing 45mph when he hit me (in a 40 limit) and after skidding for 4 meters with locked brakes.

Below are some photos of my RAV, which is probably a right off!

Damage to rear door

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/i...sh/DSC_0882.jpg

The rear from the side, you can see how the back of the car has been pushed out of place

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/i...sh/DSC_0883.jpg

You can see the gap at the back of the rear door at the top of the door

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/i...sh/DSC_0887.jpg

and you can see how the radiator, etc, have been pushed back into the engine

http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr330/i...sh/DSC_0886.jpg

The insurance assessor is yet to look at the car but I think it will be written off. I cannot afford to buy a new RAV 4 and don't think I want one that some else has had before - this was the first car I have ever owned direct from the factory. But, it is more upsetting because of the sentimental value of the car.

I will let you know what happens, but if it is written off, then I'm affraid I will say goodbye to the group as I won't want to be reminded of what happened.

Jon

[Boro Sera]

That's terrible luck mate.

From the photo's I'd guess that it probably won't be fixed, but I'm no assessor.

At least it seems you got out without any serious injury anyway - small consolation I know but it could have been much worse.

Good luck

[dave.m]

Very sorry to hear that mate, you have my sympathies, its bad enough being in an accident without having

to deal with the sentimental stuff. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[chatman]

Always sad to see members leave, due to no fault off there own.. No need to leave just because you don't own a Toyota any more...

The RAV looks a bit out of line and a jig will no doubt show a twisted chassis..then right off as cost too much to correct... :crybaby:

Main thing is your safe and well....hope the rossers throw the book at the white van man...get a good laywer and sue him.....

[Hoovie]

Very bad luck with the RAV there :( drivers like that should be off the road! :censor:

though it obviously won't be cheap to do, I am not so sure that it will not be repairable for less cost then the car market value, so maybe don't be too disheartened.

[Fujisan]

Very sorry to hear about this.......but glad you appear to be uninjured.

I am sorry to say, I think it would need a lot of work to get everything straight and all the panel gaps even again. If it was me I might be happier if it was written-off, after such a heavy shunt but I know how much this car means to you and all the memories it brings with it.

Good luck and best wishes for the future.

[sywy]

Sorry to hear/see this Jon. Hope you are OK.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and hope things are sorted out quickly for you.

[Parts-King]

Take it up with a non-fault accident company and suit the a**e off him Put the money to the money you get for the car and get another. darned bad luck, considering the sad story attached. Hope you get fixed up

Kingo

[rob64]

Sorry about the car , glad you are o.k .

The rav did a good job of protecting you by the sound of it , this is why i didn't get a whizz bang washing machine on wheels and got a rav instead . Something to consider if you do need to replace it .

[Pat2u]

If its any consolation m8 i seen worse in the body shop, so don't look on the black side just yet, good luck with it.

[gwilphil]

A sad tale indeed I was once rear ended and you feel so out of control. I do not think you will want it fixed it will never be the same. Hope all goes well for you now and in the future. Gwil

[anchorman]

Its often the case. Somebody makes a mess of things for you.

All the best mate.

[Robert6920]

Jon, I'm pleased you are ok, as others have said it's small consolation, but being hit from behind is no fun and potentially very hazardous. I do hope that they sort something out so that you don't feel you have to give up the Rav4 - in some shape or form - completely. My better half has a second hand Rav4 and it is beautiful - it doesn't take much, or take long, to make it your own. The very best of luck, I hope it works out for you

Robert

[local hero]

JON A VERY SAD STORY, you have to get the most you can out of the driver and the insurance and don,t neccesarily have to accept the first offer the insurance make, if the ins write it off you may be able to buy the (salvage) very cheaply and a good reputable bodyshop could do wonders with it, IMO i wouldn't personally want it repaired, if it is wrote off why not keep a small part,ashtray, interior light, etc and transfer it to your next rav, there are some great second hand vehicles out there, i am sure everyone on here would help you find a suitable replacement..

On a slightly different note, i know it isn't fare to generalise. but white van drivers, + yes, taxi drivers, who drive aggressively + sit at junctions looking all meek + mild, expecting you to let them out, well they can flocking well stay there forever as far as i am concerned,

[Uncle Bob]

So sorry to see you motor in such a mess, it is possible it could be repaired as the back could be gigged back into shape but going the way insurance companies think today it will be a write off , only advise i can give is don't take the first offer or the 2nd offer, push them for the very best price ....good luck.

[zoom jones]

It's upsetting for sure when something like this happens. The big thing is you're ok. Bent metal can usually be bent back. Bent arms and legs take a little bit longer so be thankful you're all ok. That's the main thing.

I actually think if can be repaired in this instance for less than the cars pre-accident value however the cost of giving you a hire car for the repair duration etc may make it uneconomical, which would be a real shame. They can do wonders in accident repair places these days so have faith.

If it can't be repaired then even though this car has a sentimental value I see no reason why you can't take the payout and buy another one. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and bounce back. Even if the only reason is because of all the friendly folks on this forum!

Best of luck!

[jonbr]

Hi All,

Thanks for the support, it really does help. My car has been written off and I've just had a phone call offering £8,343. The car was an 04 registered 4.2 petrol manual with 56k on the clock. That valuation seems way too low to me. Does any one have any thoughts on what I should expect for it?

Thanks again.

Jon

[Parts-King]

According to Parkers an 04/2004 XT4 with 40K on the clock is worth:

Original Price £21,008

Franchised Dealer £8,040

Independent Dealer £7,595

Private Good £7,145

Private Poor £6,075

Part Exchange £6,400

I think you have been offered a good price Maybe not what you think it was worth but 4x4 cars have been hit badly on price recently

Local Hero:

well they can flocking well stay there forever as far as i am concerned,

I think you are over-using the term flocking, I may have to start charging you for it

Kingo

[Hoovie]

Must admit I was looking at values of RAV4s like mine (05 XT3, 30K miles) a few months ago and I was shocked at the prices of cars for sale (how much lower then I expected).

Hurtful though it is when you have had your RAV4 from new, £8,343 does seem a good offer.

If you wanted to get another RAV, I think that money could get you sat behind a very nicely looked after replacement

[Fujisan]

According to Parkers an 04/2004 XT4 with 40K on the clock is worth:

Original Price £21,008

Franchised Dealer £8,040

Independent Dealer £7,595

Private Good £7,145

Private Poor £6,075

Part Exchange £6,400

I think you have been offered a good price Maybe not what you think it was worth but 4x4 cars have been hit badly on price recently

Sorry to say Jon, but I have to agree with Kingo, that's a good offer IMHO.

[jonbr]

According to Parkers an 04/2004 XT4 with 40K on the clock is worth:

Original Price £21,008

Franchised Dealer £8,040

Independent Dealer £7,595

Private Good £7,145

Private Poor £6,075

Part Exchange £6,400

Thanks Kingo, that's exactly the information I was hoping some one would post.

Let's hope the lawyers can get me some more from the third parties insurance as I have brusing along my spine (in at least three places) and whiplash injuries too.

[local hero]

Hi All,

Thanks for the support, it really does help. My car has been written off and I've just had a phone call offering £8,343. The car was an 04 registered 4.2 petrol manual with 56k on the clock. That valuation seems way too low to me. Does any one have any thoughts on what I should expect for it?

Thanks again.

Jon

Jon the price is probably about right, but i had a similar situation with a golf convertible, I sent them photos showing the condition of it and found some private ads showing cars for sale at a much higher price, and managed to get a bit more out of them, Find yourself a proven solicitor, get yourself a hire car, Charged to his insurance, and get every penny you can and buy yourself something really nice, I bet Kingo could find you a little gem somewhere

you may be dissapointed in your offer but don,t forget every other cars dropped in value, and with cash you are in a great position to bargain.

[T V O R]

I've just had a phone call offering £8,343.

Bite their hand off

[Fujisan]

Just had a look at the Toyota Website to checked out how much Toyota dealers are selling 04 petrol RAV's for and you are roughly getting what they are asking for, so I think your insurance company are being good to you (which is nice to hear for once).

Good luck with your injuries, wish you a speedy recovery.

[jonbr]

Thanks every one for the support and information. I accepted the offer they gave as it has turned out to be a very good offer. My insurance company, and their partner who are dealing with every thing for me, have been absolutely excellent through out this whole process so far and I cannot praise them enough. They arranged a hire car within two hours of me calling them and a lawyer called me within 48 hours to start action for my injuries and damaged personal belongings that were in the car at the time - mountain bike, etc..

Gotta go as I am due at the doctors again soon but I will keep you updated on progress.

Thanks again for all of the support, it is very much appreciated.