Hello, this was my third outing and the beginning of my vacation I have a 27 foot cougar fifth wheel 2015. I pull it with my ram 1500. I was driving on the highway and was rear ended by a car going 82 miles an hour and they didn’t even put their brakes on so it hit me with full force. The backend of my trailer is damaged and inside there is some damage like the back wall looks like it’s buckled in and pieces of paneling is off and the force of the hit pushed my fifth wheel receiver that was in my slide to the front of the slide back-and-forth. It also pushed my slide out of my trailer about 6 inches. My transmission in the truck does not work and my truck bed almost hits my tires. I am at a campground and I have USAA insurance. I cannot drive the truck or cannot disconnect the truck from the camper. I got a loaner car and went to the doctor and tomorrow the adjuster comes out to check on my truck and camper. Does anybody have any advice that I need to know Before the adjuster comes out to see if my trailer and truck are totaled. I’m all alone I am a wounded warrior with a brain injury I need some advice please as I’m lost in this area. Also I must be off the site Monday morning. Thank you

If your description is anywhere close to accurate...trailer is totaled. Truck is less clear from the description but if it's older, that's fair possibility.Go take lots of pictures now (ideally would have been better at the accident scene) and get a copy of the accident report. Information is your friend if you need to prove something later.Also, if you have any pains or injuries, go get medical attention now. Waiting a week makes it harder to prove it was related to the accident.

If they hit your trailer at 82 mph like you said you would not even have a trailer.Being a Wounded Warrior is not germane to the situation. As a Vet myself I can appreciate your sacrifice but leave it out of the plea for help, it lessens your and other Vets service.If you have USAA like you said that is your contact...not here call your insurance company and let them you what you have paying them for.

Oh, man, that sucks. I agree with the taking pictures advice. Best of luck getting made whole from this.

I feel for you.Put your priorities are lined up properly and well fist -- yeah, it's your health and well being first.As to the adjuster, imply you might be getting a lawyer if you feel you are being given the shaft.A total loss, seems the case for all your units.Good luck and hope everything tuns up well.

Did the driver that hit you have insurance? If so, do they have high enough liability limits to cover a total loss? If the answer to either question is "no", do you have "uninsured/under insured" on your policy? Your insurance company should be able to help guide you through the process of repairs, rental cars, additional expenses etc. Make a complete inventory of everything in the trailer and remove anything you can that is of value before it goes to the shop. If it is repairs, not replacement, be sure to seek "loss of value" compensation since repaired vehicles are not as valuable of the equivalent vehicle or trailer with no repair history. If they are totaled, it might be a good time to consider up-grading if the rigs weren't 100% perfect for what you do. It will likely be a time consuming slog, but most times a grudgingly agreeable outcome is achieved. Good luck.BTW, how do you know they were going 82 MPH and not 81 or 83 or anything else? And how do you know they weren't braking before the collision? Almost all vehicles have anti-lock brakes that do not leave skid marks. A rear end collision is almost assuredly the fault of the driver that hits the rear end, but don't go adding opinions or speculation when you make your reports. That will quickly raise a red flag in the eyes of an experienced investigator. No sense creating issues when there are none.

Was rear ended on the highway | Good Sam Community

JaxDad
Explorer III
Jul 16, 2019
If you're going to buy another RV why take a beating on selling it used then buying it again new?

The ins. co. should give you a suitable rental truck / van to load all your possessions home or pay to ship it.

I've done this for friends a few times now.
sayoung
Explorer
Jul 16, 2019
It's past time to let your lawyer do the talking. Get the meanest junkyard dog you can find and turn it loose.
I got hit from the rear many years ago and still have some neck problems . I unwisely just let my insurance take care of my truck so have learned a lesson.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jul 17, 2019
Make sure to ask the adjuster if you have coverage to stay in a hotel since you have to be off site, especially if it's a total. They may pay for awhile until they pay you off and for a limited amount of days afterward so you can shop for replacements. Also ask if you have coverage for a rental car or if the person who hit you would have to pay for any of this under the laws of the state you are in.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 17, 2019
Near as I can tell, there's no reason you can't or shouldn't have the other party's insurance info by now, as well.
What's your policy say? What about the other party?
Loss of use
Rental vehicle
Medical coverage
Vehicle and camper collision coverage

Sounds like there's no doubt truck and trailer is totaled.
It may seem daunting, but squeaky wheel gets the grease and unless there's something else to the equation than what you've told us, you should not be out of pocket for this permanently.

If you don't know or understand your policy, now is the time to get help figuring it out.
If you don't have full coverage on your belongings then you' better get after the other insurance company.
Good luck man.
1968mooney
Explorer
Jul 17, 2019
sayoung wrote:
It's past time to let your lawyer do the talking. Get the meanest junkyard dog you can find and turn it loose.
I got hit from the rear many years ago and still have some neck problems . I unwisely just let my insurance take care of my truck so have learned a lesson.

Be prepared to pay that "meanest junkyard dog lawyer" 40 percent of your money. Insurance Co. doesn't care because they will have to pay the money anyway.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 17, 2019
"Be prepared to pay that "meanest junkyard dog lawyer" 40 percent of your money."

What happened to 1/3 plus expenses? I suppose it could end up being 40% but what I stated is Industry standard.

Personally I would represent my self for anything beyond basic replacement that your Insurance company should handle.
sayoung
Explorer
Jul 17, 2019
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Be prepared to pay that "meanest junkyard dog lawyer" 40 percent of your money."

What happened to 1/3 plus expenses? I suppose it could end up being 40% but what I stated is Industry standard.

Personally I would represent my self for anything beyond basic replacement that your Insurance company should handle.

Around here 1/3 and 40% if case goes to court & you win a judgement. You go after the moron who was speeding ( unless the accident was on Tx Hwy 130, 85 limit) for every dime he has or ever will have.
My son the attorney likes to remind folks that anyone representing thier self in court has a fool for a client :S He is strictly a counselor for a major corp advising on policy's/procedures that keep them out of legal problems.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 17, 2019
I did and closed out just under one year instead of the standard three. I did VERY well.

I consulted with my Lawyer neighbor and Insurance Agent of many years.

Stare Farm saved $ and I made $. A happy ending for all!
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2019
I would not get a lawyer involved until you see what the insurance is going to do. Most of the time in my business when lawyers got involved they were the ones that got the money after the mess was cleared up.
You are dealing with a very good company, give them a chance to work for you.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Jul 18, 2019
sayoung wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Be prepared to pay that "meanest junkyard dog lawyer" 40 percent of your money."

What happened to 1/3 plus expenses? I suppose it could end up being 40% but what I stated is Industry standard.

Personally I would represent my self for anything beyond basic replacement that your Insurance company should handle.

Around here 1/3 and 40% if case goes to court & you win a judgement. You go after the moron who was speeding ( unless the accident was on Tx Hwy 130, 85 limit) for every dime he has or ever will have.
My son the attorney likes to remind folks that anyone representing thier self in court has a fool for a client :S He is strictly a counselor for a major corp advising on policy's/procedures that keep them out of legal problems.
On what basis would you expect to win "every dime he has or ever will have?" Insurance is eventually going to cover the RV and the tow vehicle. Any injuries are going to also be covered by insurance. There apparently are not massive injuries, so any recovery for "pain and suffering" will be limited. Generally the standard is two or three times the amount of medical expenses unless there are permanent disabling injuries. Every auto accident is not necessarily a winning lottery ticket. The only thing bringing in a lawyer at this point will accomplish will be to take a couple of month's settlement time that the insurance company will take and turn it into a couple of years. Most people would rather just get on with their lives than wait on the legal system to grind out a settlement that is basically the same as they could collect today.

Forum Discussion

Was rear ended on the highway

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Mounting Generator on rear end

Beartooth Highway

Highway Driving

Highway Travel

Dempster Highway