On Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:55:50 -0800, Jon Anderson
wrote:

Well the ram is DOA. Though the Chevy might be totaled by insurance, it
is repairable. This match goes to the Chevy.

Terminology error: The ram is not DOA, more like DRT.

You really can't say "Dead On Arrival" if there was no transport
attempted or hospital to arrive at, and if it was still alive when you
tried to resuscitate and get the victim to it in a viable state...

When the injuries are obviously not conducive to any rescue attempts
(severe brain and spinal damages for openers) "Dead Right There" is
far more accurate. Declare it, a moment of respectful silence and a
prayer, and call the coroner. Or the butcher and the taxidermist as
the case may be.

As for the truck, it's probably totalled - Notice the airbags are
blown. Stupid ram had to hit the truck smack in the airbag crash
sensor, and they don't have time to figure out if you hit a sheep or
an elephant - they just sense a big impact and blow the bags.

Can't tell from the photo, but this usually breaks the windshield
and/or side glass, either from mechanical pressure or as all that
volume of explosively generated gas tries to get out.

Between the $3K to $5K to replace all the airbags aqnd sensors, and
the windshield, and the ripped up dash, and all the front end
damage... If the truck is more than ~three years old, it's salvage.

-- Bruce --