I am sad to say that my nice new 2010 1500 (had it for about 6 months) is not as pretty as it once was.

My wife and I were on our way back to Houston from the Tractor Show in Temple TX this weekend enjoying the back two lane highways when a woman in a white ford SUV missed her turn, pulled over to the shoulder in front of us, and then rather than waiting for us to go by, decided it would be a good idea to execute a U-Turn right into the passenger side of my Truck.

No one was hurt (thank god) and I was able to drive the truck home. She got a ticket, and admitted fault to me and the officers that worked the wreck, so it seems like I’ll be working with her insurance people to get my truck back in shape.

As far as I can tell every body panel on that side is going to need to be replaced or worked on and painted. Crawling under the truck it looks like the floor panel was bowed in a bit too. The frame seems fine, and while the alignment is a little messed up (she clipped the front wheel) the truck drove the 40 or so miles back home ok.

So I got two questions for you guys.

1.Seeing that the truck is basically brand new (I’ve only managed to put 3500 miles on it) if I take it any where other than a dealership will I void my warranty?

2.Do any of you know a good body shop in Houston that you can recommend? (My insurance rep said Service King is good..?) We are up in Spring really, but anywhere around here will do.

As they say ‘This thread is useless without pictures’

 

Only 3500 miles? I'd be SCREAMING for a new truck....
Now you got that on CarFax, your out of a vehicle. It would be quicker for her insurance agency to get you a new truck...
Then they could sell that as a fixer-up'er.

Fight for a new truck.....

Did I mention...SCREAMING!

If they say no, just mention your neck and back, and wife's neck and back are really bothering you now.....

Lucky you had the passenger side window up too.

 

Agreed, fight for a new truck. I had the passenger's side rear window blow out with only 1300 mile's on the truck. I had to have the rear door and rear bed panel re-painted. The dealer and the Body shop told me that that part of the truck would no longer be covered by the factory paint warranty because of it. However the body shop I use has a written lifetime garauntee on there work so I am covered but I still do not like th fact that I had to have it re-painted. Sucks knowing it is not factory paint.

 

Hi All:
Sorry about your truck. Just a quick question, did your side window air bags blow? I have seen a few videos of side impact Ram truck crashes and they FAILED to deploy. Your damage looks bad, but do you think it was bad enough to set the bags off?
jimf5

 

Yes, fight for a new truck. Don't rollover!!! If push comes to shove...Get legal representation. Also, go to your insurance agent and ask them, how are they going to help you. Cry, kick and raise your voice. It's unfortunate but, the squeeky wheel does get the grease. Happened to me once, I got a new truck.

 

- Jimf5: No the Airbag did not go off. I thought that was odd too, but I guess it didn't hit quite right or hard enough to make the airbag activate. The damage is bad, but the inside cabin did not show much change in shape other than some of the inside panel fasteners popping off, and the tops of the doors bowing out to let the sun shine in. So I it seems the RAM skin and cage took the brunt of the impact.

- Everyone else: I just talked to their insurance people and they are waiting on us to pick a shop to get the initial inspection done. I let them know that we could be looking for a new truck out of this as it's so new, and will for ever be 'tarnished' by the wreck. She didn't come out and say 'fat chance' but she didn't say 'ok' either... more just a 'we'll see'

I have to say that the truck took the hit like a champ. I was able to keep it on the road, and under control with out too much trouble, so part of me is glad this happened in the truck and not my wife's much smaller car. The other part of me is just really pissed my new truck is all jacked up.

We have an old C3 Corvette and a good mechanic that we have used with that car, so I'm going to ask him what his thoughts are on a good body shop too.

 

I do not think he will get a new truck, only if totalled. Can he get some cash out of the deal to offset value? Maybe. But it would be hard, and may require legal guidence/action.

An accident always screws you. Even if the truck is a couple years old, the value will take a little hit. The best thing he can do is find a very good shop to repair because a bad job will really impact value.

 

I just joined the club.
We we on a side street when a guy slide into the back of us in my 3 month old Ram 4200 miles worth of new. Hit us then speed off. I chased his $#@! down and pulled him out his truck. Cops came and arrested him for hit and run. The kicker is he was in his underwear and seemed out of it (not drunk but on something).
His chevy 1500 couldnt outrun my dodge and believe me he tried. We were on a service road going over 70 in some spots.
I like certain people but hate the human race....

 

Ouch glad your ok. and agreed on fighting for a new truck!

 

that sucks, but these things happen, glad u werent hurt. just try to get it fixed asap so you can have your truck back!
good luck!