"Never the same after that" would mean damage to the frame, but on these newer cars -- post-1990s -- I'm guessing uni-body construction. The damage to the window post is fairly tell-tale: they might be able to straighten it, but it could be indicative of other things.
What about the core support, which holds the radiator? All the front lights and lenses would need replacement. The front bumper cover is totally smashed. The grill is history. The hood is a disaster.
If the claims adjuster says "totaled", it's probably an accurate assessment. If he says it isn't, then bully good, I say!Hopefully, if he declares it not worth repairing, it's covered by your insurance and they'd give you Kelly's or Edmunds value -- perhaps as you say, $8K. You got 101K miles out of it unless you'd bought it used . . .
I used to love my fleet of subcompact Hondas. For nearly 20 years, my carbon footprint was low at 30 mpg, maybe 12,000 miles per year. Then I swung for mid-sized SUVs. If you live and drive in an area where these sorts of "wildlife" encounters are more likely, that sort of armor might have saved you some grief, even if it needed to go to a body-shop.
My Trooper has been through a few fender benders. Wish I had a snap to post right now, because you couldn't tell, for my DIY body work and smithy work. I put a $500 bull-bar/grill-guard on it last year -- probably as solid as you'd find on the front of a police cruiser. Next time it happens, I'm going to "win".