Today clearly was not our day. We started out the morning a bit slower. Amelia decided to party and be awake and restless from about 12:45-3:15 am last night, which was super fun for me.
We had lunch at a rest stop and were driving along on Interstate 12, East Bound in Louisiana when traffic started slowing. (If you zoom in there is a 1/2 a house (oversized load) just ahead of us about 1/4 mile on the shoulder… I’m thinking it was causing the slight slow down).
Just before 1 pm, DJ watched in the mirror as the driver behind us locked his brakes and hit us. His brakes totally squealed, which caught my attention and DJ’s frantic muttering… don’t… no!
As mentioned above, Amelia was awake a lot of the night… which meant she was asleep when we got hit. As the other truck hit the camper and not our truck, the impact wasn’t much inside our truck. No airbags went off… it was more of a jolt like when we’ve hit big potholes with the camper. Amelia slept though it and it barely phased Jackson.
Obviously we pulled over to the shoulder and so did the other truck. DJ and I got out to investigate and see the damage. As we did, the couple of vehicles that had been next to our behind us, slowed to a stop to check on us, which was nice. Even a semi-driver asked if we needed anything.
One lady who checked on us also said that the other driver was on his phone. I can’t confirm that, but it was nice another driver wanted to share that info and was concerned about us.
Nobody was hurt. I was definitely a bit shaken and shaky after it, but thankfully no injuries.
The other truck hit the back left, drivers side of our camper (where the most damage is). It appears to have shifted and bent the camper frame a bit to the right, which is was is shown in the above photo.
Never good being able to see outside light from the inside. This is Amelia’s bunk without the mattress.
The toilet, and probably the black and grey tanks, were likely impacted. The side of the bumper that holds the “stinky slinky” is curled in now. (See the next two photos). Lucky, DJ had dumped the black and grey tanks this morning before we left, so nothing gross was leaking if they did crack.
The truck that hit us is definitely totaled and was leaking fluids. The department of transportation guy that came with the flashing sign, used is flat front on his truck to push the red truck further ahead and more out of the way.
Eventually a state trooper came and took all our info. We obviously exchanged insurance info and driver’s licenses with the other driver. And yes, the state trooper gave the other driver a ticket. The trooper was super nice and helpful.
While waiting for the state trooper though, the traffic started to eventually speed up to more normal speeds going past us. DJ noticed and promptly got the kids out of the truck and as far away from the interstate as possible.
Point of reference for where we are… just north of New Orleans. We were supposed to camp at a state park tonight about 30-45 more minutes further south from here.
Instead, we were fortunately super close to a Jellystone Campground… like 3 miles away from the accident. (Yes, the camper is still drivable). We got a cabin for the night to get reset and figure out what’s next.
We have gotten to the point in our emotions and day, that we are accepting of the fact Amelia’s Make-A-Wish camper has very likely been totaled. I explained to Jackson about the cost of the damage verses the cost of the camper equation that decides if it’s totaled or not. He definitely had some tears. Seeing as how our camper is very entry level and cheap, we aren’t expecting it to get fixed.
TBD what tomorrow and the rest of our trip to Virginia will bring. DJ filed the insurance claim today. The insurance adjuster called and DJ sent him some photos tonight quick.
All-in-all it could have been a lot worse….I’ve got safe and unscratched babies. The camper can and will be replaced.
Jackson snuggled up with miss peanut for a bit just after she fell asleep for the night. He seriously is the bestest big brother ever!
More updates on this whole situation tomorrow!
Adventuring with Amelia 