Hi Mike!
First let me say how grateful I am to hear that your wife is okay. Having been in a similar accident almost 30 years and and then another with alas similar consequences to this one a year ago.

We had hoped to have our 91 Previa minivan fixed even tho it had been seared along the right hand side and pushed in. When I went to a Pacifica body shop that had been recommended to me, the concern the guy mentioned to me is the difficulty in getting the frame and structural items to fix up. Parts would have been challenging but it was getting that to work and even if they are able to, you always wonder and are never really comfy in the car again.

I also highly recommend that your wife see someone to talk out psyche issues. Even tho I was only bruised and whiplashed with no "serious injuries" I hurt like heck for months and was on limited physical activity for several months. Didn't start hurting until about 48 hours later and then it was OUCH! Encourage wife to see someone for a medical evaluation. The adrenaline and shock take that long to wear off. And it took me a long time to be comfy driving again and that is very unusual for someone like me! (see my user name )

Last but not least, it sounds like you have a good case for a personal injury lawsuit claim against this Tbird driver. She was found negligent and is causing you and your wife painm suffering and inconvenience... You might not get hundreds of thousands of $$s but you might get enough to pay off medical bills and help with that downpayment on a new vehicle.

Whoops, not surprised your wife doesn't want to give up her car! Farmers practically had to drag my beloved Previa away from me. I miss her still, but am enjoying my TCH too, especially the better mileage!!

Wishing you both the best!