Yikes. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> What was the other guy driving?

I did hit the steering column with the inside of my right knee, but it doesn't hurt (seems like those plastics are soft and designed to give. I hit the door with my ribs (my arm was up on the steering wheel). They still hurt me a bit but that's really not a big problem, I'm OK, thanks. The force was big, but not enormous, I didn't hit my steering wheel with my head, which is good. I just stopped abruptly as the other car bounced away.

Here are the pctures of my opponent:

<img src="http://www.jedrak.com/4runner/pl/opel1.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://www.jedrak.com/4runner/pl/opel2.jpg" alt=" - " />

I have brightened up the pictures so that you could see the guts well. As you can see the guy was 'scratching' me with a bare engine block. There were parts of his engine scattered around.

My truck would have been better if I took the collision centrally, but the guy would die probably. I took the impact with my wheel, so my frame is bent but the man lives. I think it was a wise choice.
I am still waiting for the insurance verdict, and it seems I won't buy another 4runner in Poland (with the lovely red interior).

All I can say is the whole situation sucks. If I were you, and I hate to say this, but if you feel you are going to get the shaft in this, I would hire a lawyer.

Long story short - I was involved in a similar accident about 7 years ago and the other guy was in the wrong. The car I had was a 1990 Corolla and it was in MINT condition interior and exterior before the accident. Blue book value was about $4500 and that is all the insurance company would give me for it. There was no way I could get the same quality car for that price. I show them all the work I had done on the car and kept up with the maintenance schedule. They bumped it up to $5200. I told them that none of it was my fault and the police reports reflected exactly that. If I didn't get enough money to replace my car, I had no problem hiring a lawyer and then fees would be sky high. Anyway, they settled with me for $7200 - no lawyers.

Point is, the first offer they make to you is to lowball you and for them to get out of it as cheap as possible. When talking to them, be nice but firm. When all else fails, look into legal consultation.

After all is said and done, be very happy you are ok healthwise! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />