Wrecking Our TT

[sjohnstoncpa]

We had a 2018 FR 21DS TT and were pulling it with a 2018 Chevy Silverado - at least until this past Sunday.

I took great care of the TT and the TV. I washed them, waxed them, and repaired them as needed. Both the TT and the TV still looked brand new (they should have - they were only 8 months old).

This past Sunday, we were returning home from a wonderful trip to Charleston, SC on a 2 lane country road. The TT and TV were working in perfect harmony. The sky was bright and the road was clear. Perfect traveling weather.

About 2pm, we rounded a corner on the highway and saw an approaching small truck. Everything was as it should be until the truck suddenly veered into our lane.

It's amazing how time slows down in certain situations. I felt like I had time to analyze the situation and make decisions. The truck was in our lane barreling toward us. On the right of the road was a sandy shoulder, a ditch, telephone poles, and a forest. In our lane was the truck. On the left, there was no other traffic. After waiting as long as I could and hoping the truck would get back over, I took my rig into the left lane, praying that the oncoming truck would not swerve back.

The truck missed our TV and at first, we thought he had missed us completely until we felt and heard the crash into our TT. The truck had drifted back into the left lane. The TT went on its side but fortunately, the TV didn't. Here's shot of the TT & TV.



The real story is the truck. Apparently, the driver had fallen asleep. Also, he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Here's a picture of the remains of his truck. You can image our shock and dread when we saw this.



While I contacted 911, my wife ran to the truck and was stunned. Here's a shot of the other side of the vehicle.



The driver of the vehicle was alive. Because the car was smoking, she asked him if he could get out of the car and he did with her help. He was walking and talking and crying and apologizing. Testing at the hospital he was airlifted to indicated that he suffered a slight cut on his head and leg and bruising on his body. Unbelievably, he did not suffer a concussion or any internal injuries. We talked to him the next day and he was definitely very sore but very much alive.

All three vehicles were totaled. But for me, the most important thing that can be said about the accident is that "we all walked away".

[ependydad]

Oh my goodness. I'm glad you all made it through that.

In hindsight, do you think there's anything you could/should have done differently?

[Beachbourbon]

Glad you’re ok!

I can’t stop thinking: it was 2pm on a Sunday and he fell asleep? That’s odd

[sjohnstoncpa]

Other than not being on the road, no, there is nothing I would have done differently. I made the correct decision and we survived.

[sjohnstoncpa]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

Glad you’re ok!

I can’t stop thinking: it was 2pm on a Sunday and he fell asleep? That’s odd

He had been up all night working the late shift and was visiting with his cousin that morning. Instead of getting some sleep at his cousin's house, he decided to drive home.

[IsleDog]

to be honest, i expected that the other driver died from the second picture, and certainly expected major injuries from the third! im glad nobody was seriously injured.

I have had people (and big critters) in my lane, coming at me before. i will do everything i can to get off the road and get stopped. people will usually jerk back into their lane at the last second. i think you made the right call here, as there was no traffic in the other lane.

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by sjohnstoncpa

He had been up all night working the late shift and was visiting with his cousin that morning. Instead of getting some sleep at his cousin's house, he decided to drive home.

With this information there is no question of fault, so you should do well with your settlement unless he’s uninsured.

Otherwise i would be worried about him lying that you swerved into his lane and caused the wreckage. I’ve seen people do this and it infuriates me, but also makes me overly cautious.

[sjohnstoncpa]

Originally Posted by IsleDog

to be honest, i expected that the other driver died from the second picture.

Yeah, that's exactly what we thought as well. We believe the young man must have had some help from above!

[sjohnstoncpa]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

With this information there is no question of fault, so you should do well with your settlement unless he’s uninsured.

Otherwise i would be worried about him lying that you swerved into his lane and caused the wreckage. I’ve seen people do this and it infuriates me, but also makes me overly cautious.

This wasn't a problem. The young man was crying and apologizing and told everyone, including the highway patrol, that he fell asleep and that it was his fault. The accident occurred in SC which is a comparative liability state and his insurance company has already accepted 100% of the liability.

[Beachbourbon]

That would probably never happen here in California-everyone plays the victim and blame game . I think I need to move to South Carolina where men seem to still act like gentlemen and accept responsibility.

[ben31]

Originally Posted by sjohnstoncpa

This wasn't a problem. The young man was crying and apologizing and told everyone, including the highway patrol, that he fell asleep and that it was his fault. The accident occurred in SC which is a comparative liability state and his insurance company has already accepted 100% of the liability.

Wow! Lucky all around! Also lucky he fessed up, since you were then in the other lane. Another reason why I always have a dashcam working. Another witness.

[Reprise]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

Glad you’re ok!

I can’t stop thinking: it was 2pm on a Sunday and he fell asleep? That’s odd

Not if you suffer from a sleep disorder (apnea). Can speak from personal experience. Although I never did anything like this.

Glad everyone came out of that intact. Insurance will take care of the rest.

[sjohnstoncpa]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

That would probably never happen here in California-everyone plays the victim and blame game . I think I need to move to South Carolina where men seem to still act like gentlemen and accept responsibility.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of "victims" in South Carolina as well. This young man, however, proved that there are still some honest people around.

[Lee Pedrick]

Have to ask,,,,Looks like the ball never separated from the hitch,,right? Thats one tough ball and frame hitch!

[retireearly]

Wow, you did an excellent job avoiding a head-on collision which would have been much worse.

[sjohnstoncpa]

Originally Posted by Lee Pedrick

Have to ask,,,,Looks like the ball never separated from the hitch,,right? Thats one tough ball and frame hitch!

You are correct that the trailer remained hitched to the Silverado. It took the wrecker service a while to disconnect the two!

[dblr]

So glad to hear no one was seriously injured, vehicles can be replaced people can not. I drove for UPS for 32 years and all I can say is I would have reacted the same way as you did.

[chaps2018]

Congrats on the decision.

I hope I have the same clarity of mind as you did if the time ever comes.

[Kimber45]

Glad everyone is ok. Any one ever hits me drunk or texting will probably get a beating before the police show up.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by chaps2018

Congrats on the decision.

I hope I have the same clarity of mind as you did if the time ever comes.

Amen.