JMT's Toyota Avalon has 260k miles on it, so I'll guess it was made around 1995. I checked Kelley Blue Book online and the value of his car, if in excellent condition is $1,325; good condition $1,000. Most likely it would be considered in good condition rather than excellent. Based on this, it's safe to say the repairs for the damage caused by the accident most likely exceed the value or come close to the value of the car and that's why they are totaling it.
I'm sorry for your loss Joe. I know how it feels to be so close to being debt free and then have something happen to set that bac