Accident today brought me to the forum!

[04z71crew]

Thanks for opening the thread, I recently purchased my dream truck a mint mint 1 owner crew cab 04 body style z71 1500. Today we had an inch of snow and people were slamming into each other like bumper cars. I was almost home when some 19 year old kid came flying through the intersection and slammed into the rear cab and bed on the passenger side. Was hit with such velocity the truck did a full 180 and ended up facing oncoming traffic. No injuries and the kid didn't say much but sorry I'll call my mommy. The truck faired much better than his little Mazda 6, my question is this: is it possible to have frame damage with this type of collision? The truck is making a weird vibration while in 4wd that wasn't there before. All gaps seem fine and the brunt of the impact was basically the rear axle. What should I make sure the body shop doesn't overlook? Any advice? thanks in advance.

[patriot]

Yes, your drive line could be bent/damaged. Tell the shop. They'll inspect and repair if necessary. The body shop can check frame alignment.

 

You were smart getting pics. Be sure to send them to the ins co.

 

Get yourself checked out too. You may feel fine, but have serious injuries that won't show for days.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

+1 on above. Welcome aboard.

[04z71crew]

thanks guys, got checked out today had slight bruising but thankfully nothing major. Will have the body shop make sure and check the driveline. Hopefully no frame damage!

[Brandons72vette]

My 2004 was hit on both sides during separate accidents. It pushed the fenders in, but because of the empty space between the fenders and the bed walls, all it did was just bend them. No frame damage. I was rear ended by a guy I knew who was in high school and was stoned. He has some of his dope smoking buddies with him and it was raining. He ended up hitting me with such force that his motor went through his dash board in his '94 Dodge Neon. The bumper was crushed, the bumper brackets were trashed and the bed's mounts were screwed up enough that the bed actually slid into the back of the cab and dented it. He got nailed with all types of tickets and fines on top of the cost to fix my truck.

 

In all of the wrecks it has been in, no frame damage, just body damage. Not sure how fast he was going, but even after getting hit in the rear several times, my '04 was still solid like a rock. So chances are you don't have frame damage, but anything is possible. Post some more pictures of the damaged area.

 

Did the Mazda actually hit your wheel? If so it could have shifted things and therefore they are slightly out of alignment.

[04z71crew]

Brandon,

 

Glad you got some justice with the dope kid, this guy was 19 and would seem to be that he was on his phone or something as it really didn't appear that he tried to stop until he was about 10 yards out. By then was too late on a solid sheet of ice. Accidents happen but it was just negligence on his part, literally speeding on ice and not paying attention.

 

As I was moving at about 15-20 mph the majority of the impact was on the wheel...therefore the axle took the hit. The ice probably worked out in minimizing damage as the energy was able to move freely on the slippery surface. Insurance adjuster is coming Monday, I have done research and it looks like I need to appy for a diminishing value claim. This truck was a 1 owner no accidents, now it will have an accident on its record scarying any buyers if I do decide to sell or trade.

 

Attached is some more pictures of the damage.