Was rear ended on the highway

[Kennydean]

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

[Lexx]

Please ckntact an attorney ASAP. You are under no obligation to use the attorney after an initial consult unless you sign a retainer. This way at least you know where you stand legally.

I have a very hard time believing there is only $1000 damage to your truck. I bet there is hidden damage somewhere that will rear its ugly head down the line.

Get the trailer totaled and collect the GAP ins. Pay off the loan and buy a replacement trailer. I would never trust any trailer that had $17k damage.

By the way, from what I read in forums, Camping World is one of the worst places to have repairs done at. The maker of my trailer Grand Design, won’t even authorize warranty repairs at CW.

Since you are the injured party you have the right to have the repairs done at the facility of YOUR choice.

Good luck with all of this. Sorry it happened to you.

[Gulfcoast]

You may want to contact an attorney...

[westernrvparkow]

You might want to work into the conversation with the adjuster the fact you have GAP insurance and you are upside down. He may take mercy on you (and realize you come out net the same with a low retail settlement as you would with a high retail settlement). That could be a win/win for both you and the insurance company. For the GAP insurance provider, not so much. Be sure to do your research on the GAP insurance before you do anything. You don't want a problem to arise. Anybody out there think this is a bad idea??

[Kennydean]

That’s great advice really going to consider that when I talk to adjuster tomorrow. Thank you

[Bird_Freak]

If you prefer a reputable repair shop for your camper I highly recommend Three Way Campers in Marietta Ga. I have done business with Chatt. CW and would not trust them with a peddle car.

[Kennydean]

I think you hit it on the nail winnietrey. Will let everyone know what I experienced tomorrow. Everyone has been a great help. All sides of the story

[Kennydean]

Thank you

[winnietrey]

Kennydean wrote:
I just want my truck and trailer and me to be like they were before the accident. Wonder how easy or difficult my fifth wheel will be to sell if I do decide too sell it.

.

I guess, I would be extra nice to the estimator and the damage adjuster. Kind of let them know, you aren't a spring chicken anymore, And if it is not fixed right or they don't total it, it really has the potential to screw up your life. About all you can do

[Kennydean]

I just want my truck and trailer and me to be like they were before the accident. Wonder how easy or difficult my fifth wheel will be to sell if I do decide too sell it.

[winnietrey]

Ins company is going do what they are gonna do. They have the option, under your policy, I suspect, to either repair or replace. Probably if they choose not to total, about all you can do, is get a second estimate and fight it out from there. Ins will in general, do what ever is cheapest for them.

[Kennydean]

Wish I could send pictures on here

[Kennydean]

Hello western RV park owner, how would you go about asking or telling the insurance you want it totaled? Some things about the trailer that I see is broke. The slide has issues was out about 8 inches At in packed, the adjuster had to pull on it to get it out, the bumper shape as a V rear tire hole in it. The back side is wrinkled torn and in areas ripped up. Ladderbroke, cardboard under neath ripped looks like bottom back is punched in about10 inches the gray tank pull out is broke off plus pipe looks broke. Side of slideall skatched to dickens, storage doors won’t shut and propane door loos as a goose. Now inside looking at kitchen counter it was buckled and kitchen wall crinkled panaling fell off in several parts cabinet doorsbroke some doors won’t latch or shut. Tv skatched up couch pulled from wall . More for sure. I am afraid the slide hitch after the unpacked has been Compromise?

[westernrvparkow]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I took my Tahoe in recently for an estimate. The Manager/Estimator point blank said "I don't work for you I work for the Insurance Company"

I trust you crossed that shop off your list and reported the shop to the state insurance commission and the consumer affairs department of the state Attorney General's office. That is 100% wrong both ethically and legally.

[westernrvparkow]

Sounds like things are going along just fine. First, if the estimate is only $1000 on the truck, there is basically nothing wrong with it. The shop has a vested interest in finding as much wrong as possible. They are more beholden to their bottom line than they are to any insurance company. $1000 parts and labor doesn't go much further than replacing a license plate bracket. I broke a power side mirror on my truck a few years back and that was a $650.00 repair. Your truck will be fine and any reputable shop is going to warranty their repairs for a period of time.
What is the damage to the trailer? If you were actually going 60 MPH and were hit by someone going 85 there really shouldn't be much left that is recognizable as a trailer. If there is significant body damage the repairs are going to exceed the value of the trailer very quickly.
You don't want the trailer repaired if there is major damage. Argue that not only is there the very real possibility of hidden damage, you are suffering loss of usage every day. Push for having it declared a total loss. Since you have gap insurance (a good thing) you are going to actually come out ahead if it is totaled. You really won't be concerned about the value they give you since you will actually be collecting the total amount of the loan value (loan will be completely paid off by the gap insurance and you don't care if the gap is $2000 or $10000). Since you appear to have been upside down on the loan before the accident, you actually are making money if they total the trailer (you lost a $17000 trailer and are getting a $22000 loan paid off, that is a good transaction financially). Contact the gap insurance carrier and they will walk you thru the process once the insurance company has agreed to declare the trailer a total loss. Once the loan is paid in full you can go shopping for whatever you want to replace it.

[Cummins12V98]

I took my Tahoe in recently for an estimate. The Manager/Estimator point blank said "I don't work for you I work for the Insurance Company"