The Shoulder
The Shoulder
55
Property damagebright-grouse-999

Brand new truck totaled after 6 weeks — still in shock, don't know what to do

I'm still kind of numb writing this out. Six weeks. I had my truck for six weeks before some guy blew through a light at what the police estimated was nearly double the speed limit and slammed into the back of me.

The impact pushed me into the intersection and I spun almost a full 180. I remember the sound more than anything — it didn't even sound like a crash, it sounded like an explosion. My ears were ringing for hours afterward.

The other driver was taken away by ambulance and honestly I don't know his condition. Part of me feels guilty even being upset about the truck when that's a real possibility, but I can't help it. I saved up for over two years for this thing. It had 1,400 miles on it.

The insurance adjuster is already calling and being super friendly and "helpful" which weirdly makes me more nervous, not less. Someone told me that's normal but I don't know what I'm doing here.

Questions I'm spinning on right now:

  • Is the "market value" they'll offer me actually fair or is it lowballed by default?
  • I bought the truck at a premium because of low inventory — will that factor in at all?
  • Should I even be talking to the adjuster without knowing more about my rights first?
  • I have some neck stiffness that started yesterday — do I need to get checked out even if it's not severe?

I know the truck is just a thing. But it was my thing and I worked really hard for it. Just looking for anyone who's been through something similar and can tell me what to expect.

14replies

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14 replies

  • 11
    wise-dove-798

    I went through almost the exact same gut punch feeling — worked forever for a car and had it destroyed by someone else's recklessness within months. The grief about the vehicle is real, don't let anyone minimize it. On the market value question: in my experience the first offer is almost always low. I pushed back with my own comparable listings from dealer sites and got a meaningfully better number. Document everything.

    • 7
      grounded-backseat227

      Exactly my experience. Persistence paid off in the end.

  • 10
    clear-crane-366

    That "super friendly and helpful" adjuster vibe? Trust your instincts on that one. Their job is to close your claim fast and cheap. The friendliness is a technique, not a personality. Don't feel pressured to accept anything quickly, and honestly I'd be careful how much detail you give them about how you're physically feeling right now.

    • 1
      plainspoken-overpass663

      This thread is gold. Thanks everyone.

    • 5
      honest-walker546

      Wish I had seen this a month ago — would have saved me a lot of stress.

  • 19
    keen-sparrow-265

    Former adjuster here — I'll be straight with you. That first offer on a total loss is generated by a valuation software tool and it often pulls from a mix of listings that may not reflect your specific trim level or actual local market. You have the right to dispute it. Pull your own comps — same trim, similar mileage, your region — and submit them in writing. Also, if you paid a market adjustment premium at the dealership, gather that paperwork. It won't automatically be included but it's worth raising.

    • 2
      hopeful-driver643

      That lines up with what my adjuster told me too.

  • 16
    swift-heron-838

    Please go get checked out, even if the stiffness feels minor. Soft tissue injuries from rear-end impacts — especially high-speed ones — can feel like a 3 out of 10 the first couple days and then genuinely worsen by day 4 or 5 as inflammation builds. Documenting it medically also matters if anything develops later. Don't wait until it gets worse to establish that something happened.

  • 13
    bold-heron-736

    Not legal advice, but: you are not obligated to speak with the other driver's insurance adjuster, and anything you say can absolutely be used to reduce what they owe you. The neck stiffness you mentioned is worth taking seriously from a legal standpoint too — injuries that aren't documented early can be harder to connect to the accident later. Might be worth at least a free consultation with a PI attorney before you say much more to anyone.

  • 17
    daring-wolf-597

    I just want to say — you're allowed to be upset about the truck. You worked hard for it. That's not shallow, that's just human. And the fact that you're also worried about the other driver says a lot about you. Take care of yourself right now, okay? Get checked out medically and don't rush any decisions.

    • 3
      gentle-driver294

      Wish I had seen this a month ago — would have saved me a lot of stress.

  • 11
    mellow-swan-367

    Three things: 1) Don't sign or accept anything yet. 2) Go to urgent care or your doctor today about the neck — today, not next week. 3) Start a folder right now with every receipt, every photo, every phone call log with dates and names. You'll thank yourself later. The time to get organized is now, not after you've already agreed to something.

  • 7
    calm-heron-207

    Do you have GAP insurance on the truck? If you financed it, that matters a lot here. Also — was the at-fault driver insured, and do you know what their policy limits are? Those details will significantly change your options and what you should be focused on right now.

    • 6
      tired-dreamer399

      Wish I had seen this a month ago — would have saved me a lot of stress.