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mrubaum's avatar
mrubaum
Explorer
Jan 16, 2015

Southern California and Rving

Southern California is the worst place ever for motorhomes. As I was approaching the onramp for the 405 south at Sunset Blvd I could see they were doing contraction on the on ramp. As I approached I was funneled though concrete barriers on each side. As I advanced I realized there was a ridiculously hard right turn coming up with concrete barriers on both sides. I am a 40 foot motorhome towing a car. There was a dozen cars behind me. I got as close to the left barrier as possible and said to my wife I do not think I have it. Cars are now honking. She said they would not design this so large vehicles could not make it. Inching forward I scarped the right side against the barriers. I still was not going to make it. I am now so furious I am past the point of caring. Un hook the car and back the car and motorhome off the on ramp. Countless cars had to back out to allow me out. All the while honking their horns. $6,000.00 in damage. I went back later and could tell every large vehicle had hit the barrier. I took pictures. No warning signs. I sued the state. They said they were not the ones in charge of the construction. I sued Cal Trans, they said they were not the ones in charge of the construction. I sued the private company in charge of the construction and they said it was Cal Trans. My insurance paid but what a headache!
  • That's why I have nothing to do with Californiacation...

    It's also why I've never employed a lawyer (even tho I've been a small businessman for the past 25 years...)
  • IMHO, Cal Trans and the private contractor are both at fault for not having proper traffic control (signs & detours) at the work site. There should have been a detour in place for larger vehicles to exit and get around the concrete barriers. Cal Trans should of had a compliance officer at that site to insure everything (barriers, signs, flaggers, detours) were properly in place and being used correctly. I'm sorry you had to experience that, and the "Merry Go Round" that followed between Cal Trans and the private contractor pointing fingers and blaming each other is totaling unacceptable! Taking pictures was excellent! I'm retired from a trucking company and our boss had cameras in all the glove boxes of all the trucks to take pictures regardless of fault. Good Luck to you on the lawsuit! I would love to sit in the jury box of your lawsuit!
  • "and said to my wife I do not think I have it."

    Wouldn't it been easier just to not to a turn if it looked like you're not going to make it?