According to ConsumerAffairs.com, the world of hurt in which Toyota has been living — recalls in the millions worldwide, a federal investigation, fines, being forced to dig deep in the incentive well to keep sales – is only going to get worse. Now Allstate and State Farm have begun a “subrogation” process against the automaker.

That’s one of those legalese / financial terms we don’t hear getting tossed around much. Try this one, “passing the buck.” Yep, subrogation means shifting the financial burden from one party to another. The insurance companies that have paid out millions for accidents involving Toyotas now want the carmaker to cough back some of the dinero.

Although neither insurer has released specific details about the proceedings, Allstate has, according to industry sources, told Toyota that it has claims linked to product defect. While initial claim reviews may only go back a few months, the potential for a wider and more chronologically lengthy review is very real.

At least 2.3 million Toyotas have been recalled and repaired for a sticking accelerator pedal, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (and ConsumerAffairs.com) can cite complaints back to 2005.

A USAToday report mentioned by ConsumerAffairs.com points to a State Farm attempt to recover claims in 2007 involving an accident with a 2005 Toyota Camry. According to experts in the subrogation field, the actions could wind up costing Toyota as much as $30 million.

Of course, the bad news for Toyota may be good news for drivers. The more the companies are able to recover from the carmaker, the fewer expenses will have to be passed on to consumers in the form of premium hikes.

Either way, however, Toyota faces a tough road ahead, one it will have to negotiate perfectly to win back public trust. It remains to be seen whether risk profiles will go up for Toyota models, but certainly, the company’s public relations storm, while settling down, is far from over.