The end of an era --maybe.

I had incident on the Massachusetts turnpike this past Sunday yup Sept.11th. My RV had been running fine, no warning lights etc.when all of a sudden it started to hesitate and I had no acceleration. I was in the middle lane of a three lane section of the highway so had to get it over as far as I could and hopefully out of the way. I got it over close to the guard rail and it just stopped and would not do anything. I put my flashers on and called Good Sams only to find they could not help me due to it being a road they were not able to send help on BUT the woman on the phone was very helpful and managed to connect me with the State Police and after giving them all the info, location etc. I was waiting or my next decision. My normal thing would have been to go out to start to unhook my car so the RV would be ready to be towed. Praise the Lord I didn't do that and that I was sitting in the passenger seat and not standing up. Within minutes I was hit from behind, slamming my car into the RV and actually violently pushing the RV. I thought I had been hit by a Semi but it turns out it was a 2008 chevy pickup. I was thrown forward in to the dash but other than being sore for a few days, I seem to be fine physically, mentally it will take a while. The bottom line, my car looks like and accordian the the RV sustained considerable damage. The pick up driver (19) sustained some cuts and bruises so I think he was lucky. Why I was hit is still a mystery, was he texting, did he fall asleep, I have no answer. So now the result is my RV and car are both considered "TOTALS". I had a 2009 Saturn Vue and a 2003 Monaco Lapalma. Both of which I owned from brand new. Now I will wait for the results from the Ins. companies, USAA on the car and Progressive on the RV. So being a widow and living on SS, it doesn't look like I will be continuing to RV. Yes, I was traveling alone which I have done for the past 4 years since losing my husband. I doubt that I will recoup enough $$ to get another RV so I will just have to live vicariously thru those of you who continue to travel. Those who came to my aid on the Pike were wonderful and hopefully none of you ever have the need but Reds Towing in West Springfield Mass. could not have been nicer. So folks, Happy and safe trails.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 22, 2016
Well keep pushing. Your lawyer will be able to advise you of what damages to seek. There's a difference between just getting any old run of the mill car whacked and losing your "house."
Remember you're not taking advantage, you're just trying to get back to where you were before YOU got hit.
I know you're single, but if you can hook up a toad then you can hook up a TT. Get a vehicle large enough to haul a small TT then you're set. Good TTs are cheap compared to all other rvs and dime a dozen everywhere. May be a good way to get more for less to continue rving.
4x4van
Explorer III
Sep 22, 2016
4x4van wrote:
WRBD88 wrote:
I...called Good Sams only to find they could not help me due to it being a road they were not able to send help on

??? Why could they not help you on a 3 lane highway???

Still unclear on why GS couldn't help you? Did they just not have anyone in the area to respond, or was there something specific about the road you were on?
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Sep 22, 2016
WRBD88 wrote:
I thank everyone for taking the time to respond and care. The car and RV are both considered "totals" so that takes care of that. I will o reap enough to be able to afford another RV and will be lucky if I can get a car that will I will be happy with. So I will probably not be doing the RV thing but I will still be able to go to our place in Maine and use the cottage. I might be able to get a cheap travel trailer set up on my pad at our property and will just leave it there. USAA and Progressive, so far have been very helpful and I don't think that I am getting taken, BUT I do have a lawyer getting involved and we shall see where things go. Once again thanks for your responses and I will try to keep you posted.
I am widowed and travel alone so there is nothing to keep me from going where I want to. Well yes, money does come into that picture. LOL

I'm glad to hear you still have a place to get comfy and enjoy the beauty of nature; a Maine cottage sounds like a wonderful locale to get an eyeful:).

Good to know the insurance process is moving along w/ assistance from a legal eagle as well.
paulcardoza
Explorer
Sep 22, 2016
In MASS, our registration lists insurance info and you cannot get plates without an insurance stamp on the RMV1 application.

There is no separate insurance card issued or required here.

Crowe wrote:
I take a picture of the card with my phone

Good idea but half the time I don't have my phone on me! My insurance company supplies business cards with all the info on it-you'd think I'd stick one in my wallet!
WRBD88
Explorer
Sep 22, 2016
I thank everyone for taking the time to respond and care. The car and RV are both considered "totals" so that takes care of that. I will o reap enough to be able to afford another RV and will be lucky if I can get a car that will I will be happy with. So I will probably not be doing the RV thing but I will still be able to go to our place in Maine and use the cottage. I might be able to get a cheap travel trailer set up on my pad at our property and will just leave it there. USAA and Progressive, so far have been very helpful and I don't think that I am getting taken, BUT I do have a lawyer getting involved and we shall see where things go. Once again thanks for your responses and I will try to keep you posted.
I am widowed and travel alone so there is nothing to keep me from going where I want to. Well yes, money does come into that picture. LOL
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 20, 2016
Well Wilma there is both good and bad news in that story.
Very sorry to hear of your loss,, Sounds like the RV is your home, but.. Engine repairs can be anything from minor (less than 100 bucks) to major (Several thousand) and with the RV totaled, and the pick up driver being clearly at fault... Well, you may well come out of it able to replace most of what you lost in the crash.

or.. Well, I'm looking for a co-pilot (Not really serious since I do not know you) the problem here is that I need a MAJOR engine repair (Replacement) which won't happen for a few month yet.

Or like the old joke
(WWM seeking traveling companion Single/widowed W F with JEEP, Send photo of Jeeep) (And I do stress that that's a joke)

Again, Sorry to hear of your loss. Glad you were not injured.
Crowe
Explorer
Sep 20, 2016
I take a picture of the card with my phone

Good idea but half the time I don't have my phone on me! My insurance company supplies business cards with all the info on it-you'd think I'd stick one in my wallet!
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Sep 19, 2016
Crowe wrote:
What if you just didn't have your card?

I never have an insurance card on me. I know who my agent is. No proof on your person is necessary.

it saved my insurance from getting subrogated to, twice, when there were uninsured or underinsured parties at fault.

I'm insured for that, too.

If one sees it as a convienence in the right situation to not deal with it personally

It's never convenient to deal with this personally. Also, should there be issues that crop up later you are SOL if you settle without using the insurance company. I think your situation is highly unique and far from the norm.

I take a picture of the card with my phone
KKWilliams
Explorer
Sep 19, 2016
the safest thing to do is call the insurance company on the scene and ask them what to do. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage your insurance could get subrogated to, but that's why you pay for it. Your rates would not go up for using it.
spoon059
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2016
Sorry to hear about your wreck, but very grateful to hear that you aren't seriously injured. I hope your future plans work out, whether you continue to RV, continue to travel in another way or simply settle down somewhere and enjoy the local life.

My parents gave up camping about 11 years ago. Now they rent a house in Florida for a month, just went up to Buffalo/Niagara Falls last month and are at the beach right now.

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