Sunday, October 21, 2012

Nightmare!


You pray relentlessly to be spared of a highway disaster and when it happens, you still pray and give thanks for it could have been much worse. For that we are thankful.



62 MPH cruising along the right lane of I-40 eastbound for Wilmington, NC when the BIG  BANG happened, front driver's side blowout, the worst case scenario as at that speed and our weight, you are going to be pulled immediately left with almost no steering ability. Off to the left we went, down into the wide median and slowly, by this point, into the dividing median cables, where all the damage began as the metal pylons planted themselves into our truck's body.

If you look in front of the tire about ten feet, you will see the pylons are only about 3 feet out of the ground, but the damage is at 4 feet high in the truck. The tow driver reasons we were getting ready to FLIP when we were impaled back up right. It would have given a new meaning to Flip-Flop Vector.

 
 

Forty-five minutes later, NC State Patrol arrives taking another 45 minutes to write his report. Another one hour later, it takes 2 tow trucks to yank us out and tow us 35 miles into Wilmington where the truck and RV rig are now resting comfortably in a tow yard. My underwear are still not resting comfortably.



Our 2 RV batteries went flying out of the 5th wheeler's compartment so that eliminated any possibility of having the unit towed to a campground on a Sunday. Disarray inside the rig, as well. We will of course want full safety check on the rig's axle, braking and frame before using it to reside in. We will know more on truck when adjuster meets with us tomorrow. Not an insurance pro, but guessing $5,000-7,500 range and several weeks.


In the interim, sitting in a Wilmington hotel sans a car which we will try to solve tomorrow. Fortunately, we are surrounded by numerous eateries and a Walmart.

Oh, and the salt in the wound, officer gave me a ticket for an unsafe tire explaining "if you would have gone off on the right shoulder into the grass, you would have been fine as you wouldn't have caused any damage to State property (wire divider) and no ticket would have been issued, but we need to be able to tie your insurance company into it. Oh, and sir, I don't believe it is even considered a moving violation". WHATTTT??? I am moving and get a non-moving ticket? I only get it cause it was my front left tire and not my front right tire? I am sure if I would have gone right he would have written me for "Sod Disruption", or something. Maybe it was cause I was wearing my "In Texas, We Dont Call 911" shirt with a pistol on it. Oh, and my court date is January 9th, how is that for court efficiency in N.C. Watch for my photo on America's Most Wanted in February.


18 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! I am glad that you are both okay. That is so scary!

    Thank goodness you didn't flip and that the barrier kept you from crossing the median.

    The ticket is definitely adding salt to the wound.

    I hope the repairs are made quickly, but I bet it will take longer for your nerves to calm down.

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  2. Oh David, I am SO sorry to hear this! Very glad you are both not injured, physically at any rate. Mentally yes, and what an insult to be given that ticket. If there's anything we can do, drop a line. Wish I was closer.

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  3. OH NO!!!!!!!! How awful for you two!!!!! Glad you are ok - fingers crossed that the judge has a better head on his shoulders then the officer. Sheeeeeesh!

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  4. Oh CRAP!!! That's really stinks. I'm so sorry.

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  5. Oh my so scary. I am sure you are grateful that you did not flip over. Hope you are both ok physically.

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  6. Thanks for all of the well wishes folks. The only upside is we did get to sleep in a Holiday Inn last night with a comfy, spacious King Sized bed.

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  7. So sorry to hear of your accident. But very glad that God protected you guy from injury. We will pray for the damages to be done in a superior and fast fashion. Also so that damages to the 5th will be only what you have seen. Take a good long and hot shower. You have more than 10 gallons to use. We will keep praying for you.

    Oh! And may a bug fly up the nose of the trooper.

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  8. Yikes! So glad you were both able to walk away. Something tells me you might be feeling a bit sore today. Hope the repair process goes smoothly. Meanwhile, enjoy the king size bed! Take care.

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  9. So glad that you are both okay. I (along with everyone else) hope the damage to the 5er is not more than what you see. Repairs to the truck should be relatively quick. Meantime, as someone else said, enjoy the long hot showers!

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  10. I hope you got good news at the repair shop.

    I gotta get me one of those shirts? LOL

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  11. Wow, so sorry to hear. Hang in there and enjoy that King bed and plenty of hot water. Hope you'll be on your way soon!

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  12. Oh goodness. . .not good at all. . .will look forward to updates.

    Glad you are all safe!

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com
    Facebook.com/janice.w.evans

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  13. Jerry and I were too tired this week to look at the computer. We are so sorry that we just read about this today!!! A ticket??? Jerry said, "That's a crock of SH#*T!!" Dealing with that, plus the stupid insurance is just the icing on the cake.

    Yes!! Use every last drop of hot water!

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    1. Yeah, not fun at all..and now a hurricane toying with the Carolina coast...good times...

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  14. It does seem insult to injury, however glad you are safe and will be praying for you both, as you get through this. Scary moment, and one I fear in my Class A, you can read or watch video's on how to react and so on, a lot scarier in real time. Let's hope that there is a blessing coming your way, other than the fact that you are both safe and sound.

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  15. Thank God you two were ok anything in that rv or truck is replaceable in the end.
    Don"t envy you the insurance Co's they are a necessary evil to me hope it gets all done tho and quickly and safely back on your journey.

    Lori in AZ

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  16. So glad the two of you were not injured. Just exactly what did the state trooper suggest you should have done?? I'm sure your quick thinking and instinctive reflexes saved lives, not just your own. You know, people who do not live this lifestyle or drive these rigs simply have no comprehension what it is like. What will you do until the court date? Gee, I'm a native Texan gal and I don't have one of those t-shirts. Right now not sure if wearing one would be a good thing or a not-so-good thing! :)

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  17. Thanks TYR. Ticket will be contested....100% bogus.

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