My truck got hit...............

[EPenney]

........... 😞

3 weeks ago, my truck was hit on the left side while I was traveling northbound on I-5 in the #1 lane at 60 to 65 mph. After crossing under a new overpass construction site, I noticed a northbound water truck in the median strip accelerating in the area between the construction cones and the concrete median divider. Suddenly the water truck swerved to the right, and drove between 2 of the construction cones, entering the #1 northbound lane at an approximate 45 degree angle to the lane and my truck. I initiated an evasive maneuver to the right towards the #2 northbound lane, but was limited in the distance I could move to the right by northbound traffic in the #2 lane. A 2-1/2 inch water nozzle located at the right front corner of the water truck struck my vehicle on the left side at the rear of the left-rear passenger door, and contact continued along the left side of my truck to the rear bumper. Luckily no other vehicles were involved. The CHP officer who responded told me I was lucky to be in a large & heavy vehicle, because if I had been driving a small sedan, things might have not turned out well for me.

The truck is finally in the body shop getting repaired, and will also have to go on the frame rack to see if there is any frame damage. The insurance adjuster said the rear axle may have been knocked a little out of alignment.

We've already had to cancel two weekend camping trips, but hope we get the truck back in time for our big summer camp trip in a few weeks.

View from where I was able to pull over and stop. The collision happened about 100 feet this side of the overpass.



Another view of the body damage.



Here you can see where the 2-1/2" water nozzle got torn off when the water truck ran into my truck.

[rhagfo]

recycler wrote:

transamz9 wrote:
I don't want this to sound bad or like I'm aiming this to the OP and by law this was the water truck operators fault but it looks like this was a classic example of riding in a big trucks blind spot. See it every day. If you can't see the driver of the big truck then you need to assume that he can't see you. Also, did the original OP's truck not have brakes? Like stated in another post , going WAY too fast for a construction zone.

Sorry, but this could have been avoided.

you may want to reread the o/p he stated the truck jumped out from behind the divider cones from the construction side..there for the water truck driver was at fault.. i too am wondering about the speed in mich that would be a doubled fine for exceeded the speed limit in construction zone..i hope the insurance company spec'ed a new wheel and tire

If the water truck driver could not see you , no reason not to pull out. Likely a sigh not far before that that stated "Trucks Entering Roadway" To the OP I am surprised that you are not found partly at fault.

[recycler]

transamz9 wrote:
I don't want this to sound bad or like I'm aiming this to the OP and by law this was the water truck operators fault but it looks like this was a classic example of riding in a big trucks blind spot. See it every day. If you can't see the driver of the big truck then you need to assume that he can't see you. Also, did the original OP's truck not have brakes? Like stated in another post , going WAY too fast for a construction zone.

Sorry, but this could have been avoided.

you may want to reread the o/p he stated the truck jumped out from behind the divider cones from the construction side..there for the water truck driver was at fault.. i too am wondering about the speed in mich that would be a doubled fine for exceeded the speed limit in construction zone..i hope the insurance company spec'ed a new wheel and tire

[Desert_Captain]

transamz9 wrote:
I don't want this to sound bad or like I'm aiming this to the OP and by law this was the water truck operators fault but it looks like this was a classic example of riding in a big trucks blind spot. See it every day. If you can't see the driver of the big truck then you need to assume that he can't see you. Also, did the original OP's truck not have brakes? Like stated in another post , going WAY too fast for a construction zone.

Sorry, but this could have been avoided.

I think you need to go back and read the first post by the OP. This had nothing to do with being in anyone's blind spot. The water truck came out of the construction zone and struck the OP while he was driving down the left lane minding his own business. :C

[transamz9]

I don't want this to sound bad or like I'm aiming this to the OP and by law this was the water truck operators fault but it looks like this was a classic example of riding in a big trucks blind spot. See it every day. If you can't see the driver of the big truck then you need to assume that he can't see you. Also, did the original OP's truck not have brakes? Like stated in another post , going WAY too fast for a construction zone.

Sorry, but this could have been avoided.

[Roger10378]

You are lucky you didn't get a ticket. You were doing 60-65 in a construction zone(still orange cones) with workers(water truck) present. Most places that would get you the ticket.

[ScottG]

I hope someone did a drug test on that water truck driver.

[nevadanick]

Orange deliniator is the Nevada state tree and truck tire casing is state flower.

[EPenney]

boogie_4wheel wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Really doubt there is any frame damage to your truck, the feed pipe broke at the threads, the weakest part of the pip, and by the looks of things no support outside of the coupling.

Agreed! I cannot fathom that causing frame damage or spring damage. Sucks that it happened though!

That's what I thought too. The claims adjuster showed me where the leaf springs had shifted slightly, so suspected the rear axle possibly could have been knocked out of alignment. He decided checking the frame would also be advisable.

[EPenney]

ramyankee wrote:
Those cones could probably be our next state bird.....It all looks the same to me, but is that between Stockton and Sacramento?

It happened a couple of miles south of Pocket/Meadow View Rds, where the extension of Cosumnes River Blvd from Franklin to I-5 connects. The area coned-off is where the construction vehicles are supposed to accelerate before merging unto the #1 lane just to the north of where I was parked in the first photo. Instead, the water truck driver cut thru the cones about 100 feet north of the overpass and hit me. Coming along the slight curve to the west, I only had a few seconds from when I first saw him to him hitting my truck.

[Hannibal]

Looks like a minor fender bender to me. Happened to us in our '98 Cummins Ram on I-75 a few years ago with about the same amount of damage. Young lady reaching for the CD she dropped and steered into the side of us. It did way more damage to her dad's Camaro. We lucked out too that no one lost control.

[boogie_4wheel]

rhagfo wrote:
Really doubt there is any frame damage to your truck, the feed pipe broke at the threads, the weakest part of the pip, and by the looks of things no support outside of the coupling.

Agreed! I cannot fathom that causing frame damage or spring damage. Sucks that it happened though!

[rhagfo]

Really doubt there is any frame damage to your truck, the feed pipe broke at the threads, the weakest part of the pip, and by the looks of things no support outside of the coupling.

[The_Texan]

When it is all said and done, you will have a truck worth at least 25% less than an equivalent truck that has not been in an accident. Sorry, but unless they compensate you for your total loss, you are taking it in the back....

[2edgesword]

Sorry to hear about the trip cancelations but glad to hear no one was injuried.

Did the other guy realize he was in an accident and stop?

[carringb]

You can rent a TV from Enterprise Rent A Truck. This shouldn't ruin your vacations. His insurance will have to pay the rental.