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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.