If anyone wonders about how or why a car would be "totaled....
Regarding the questions about this accident and how a "total loss" (with seemingly less than catastrophic damages visible) was determined. Likely, it meant that the salvage value was very high.
If anyone ever wants or needs to know, the standard way an insurance carrier figures a total loss is typically figured based on these items: Cost of repairs, Value of the salvage, and the ACV of the vehicle prior to the accident.
First, the Cost of repairs. Repairs should include attendant costs like a rental, towing, and as yet undiscovered hidden damages caused by the accident (that may or may not exist).
Second, the value of the salvage.
The value of the salvage is determined by salvage bids. Salvage Yards offer quotes on the damaged vehicle and usually the highest bidder gets the car.
The value of the vehicle at the time of the accident (this is actual cash value or ACV). It is usually determined by the marketplace of LKQ (like, kind, and quality) automobiles for sale you the local area, and/or book value publications like Kelly Blue Book or NADA.
If the total of repairs added to the salvage value equals or is close to the ACV, an insurance carrier will call it a total loss.
This can vary based on language in the insurance contract, local state law (tort vs no-fault as one example), and in the case of a third-party claim, discretion may be used by a carrier in an effort to retain control of the claim, (give you what you want for the car, to help them retain control of your injury claim which is typically open longer and very subjective. Losing control of a claim generally means that you have retained an attorney to represent you in your injury claims (called bodily injury) and property damage (damage to your car or other property you own).
Lawyers and Claim Representatives alike may disagree. I am neither.
I am only stating how many insurance carriers (Casualty Insurance Companies) see the world and what you might expect in the event of a claim. As a side note, ask the adjuster in these situations what the salvage quotes are on your damaged vehicle. You might be surprised.
Back to reality... I'm glad no one was seriously injured, and that the solution was satisfactory to the owner. That is the best outcome possible from any automobile collision. It does not get any better than this... except/unless you can avoid a collision altogether. ;-) Accidents are a pain in the neck, even if you get everything you want.
