Fell asleep... need advice.

[JHardwick]

I never will forget driving to work one morning in the typical rush from rural to "city" or whatever you call it. It was 5 or 6 AM and about 10 cars had congregated on the 4 lane into a pack, pretty typical ... ... ... . this was 15 years ago at least. When all of a sudden I saw one of the lead cars go off the left side, hit a tapered guard rail, come back on the road and never miss a beat!



I'm sure when he finally got to work, he had major damage and didn't know how!!



Beyond that, I've had good buddies die from drinking and/or sleeping behind the wheel ... ... ... ... . I'm convinced that a quick "old fart thing" has saved my life and probably others as well

 

[CLAYTON]

I got in an accident a little while back (before I had my truck). I was hit in the back and the JL Audio speakers I had in there damaged. The insurance adjuster gave me what it cost to get the same speakers. They were even 4 years old. Glad to hear that your ok and nobody was hurt.

 

[2Gen3Gen]

I have Allstate on my truck and car. They offered me a policy for a few bucks more that will replace my truck or car with a NEW car or truck of the current year if my car or truck is totaled. It added about $50 to the cost. I feel that was well worth it. Ive been with Allstate for a long time and have really good rates and a perfect driving record.

My guess is that since you rolled it, they will total it. If they refuse to pay for your extras, I would insist on removing anything that wasn't on the truck when it was new. Put the stock tires on it and take all your mods. Then let them have it. Otherwise, I would start dealing with the company. They will deal. Its just like buying a new truck. It will be a offer after another until you accept. Just don't settle for the first offer. You know what a new one will cost so most likely the low book on your truck is about what you paid for it if you got a deal like most of us. My truck had a sticker of $42k, paid just under $33k out the door. It still books for more than I paid for it. That is a rather good feeling. As for the new Sebring that my wife went out and bought 2 nights ago, it went down about $6k in value 30 feet down the road. Not what I would call a good investment but hey, what the heck, she is happy and is getting 30+ mpg in a really nice sporty car. To me, that made it worth it, not to mention that SHE bought it!



Best of luck to you with dealing with the adjuster! Im sure you will come out fine. The main thing in all of this is that NO ONE GOT HURT! You can replace the truck, its hard to come back from a broken neck. . Now, call one of the dealers on the website and get a good deal on a new ride and order it the way YOU want it!

 

[dougs455]

I'm guessing that your ins. will only cover your extra goodies if you added them specifically to the policy.

Thats my best guess also. My insurance guy is an ***** so I give him a copy of every addon I do to my truck. Airdog, stacks, boxes, even gauges. If its stolen and never recovered... saying "well I had this and that" wont get them replaced without proof.

 

[EBottema]

Hey- Glad you are okay.

And guys please quit the BS. The bashers need to stop, one comment is enough Mr Hardwick.

He made a mistake, learned the hard way and if it happens again then that is a different story. Good luck.



The insurance should pay for everything on your truck as long as you have the reciepts. If they refuse, call your state insurance commission board and report them. Then you will get some action

 

[DPKetchum]

I did 60 plus hours a week in a high stress wide open all day job with a 100 mile round trip drive for several years(did those hours for 25 years without the 100 mile drive)anyway if I had to do it over again NO WAY. Wore me out in lots of ways. Mind,back,knees,feet. Lifes too short. I still COUNT steps(normal waking)cause it got to me so bad.

 

[JHardwick]

The bashers need to stop, one comment is enough Mr Hardwick.

Go lay down somewhere and get off me



I've got 2 teenagers driving and I'm sure I sound like a broken record to them too ... ... ask me if I care?



Maybe, just maybe the next time this dude is driving down the highway with double vision, he'll remember that ******* on TDR and pull over Oo.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

I know that Farm Bureau will not pay any extra under the comprehensive coverages for add-ons. They require "supplemental" coverage for these items. I'm actually compiling a list for my agent this weekend. I think they charge about $20 per thousand to cover. They don't insure them for replacement cost either, just actual cash value. (which is up to the adjuster to determine, they cannot estimate what this might be in the event of a loss)

 

[DPelletier]

I tend to nod off easily and I've found that no amount of window rolling, hair pulling or coffee drinking can make me stay awake! The only thing that I've found that works for me is eating spits (sunflower seeds). It seems that the work required to get the shell off the damn things is enough to keep me awake.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[jwduke]

Glad you are ok, Doug!!! I drive a truck for a living, so next time try my stay awake item-

lemon heads... . they work great!

 

[EBottema]

JH-

They are your kids so it is okay to tell them over and over LOL, Doug is an adult that did something stupid. He was lucky he is alive. one comment would have been enough. I do agree that driving asleep is pretty much up there with DUI. I have driven tired before and it is not fun since then you freeze your butt off when you roll the window down LOL... . I broke a law yesterday, I took my 86 mustang around the block and did a monster burnout HEHE it was fun... . Sometimes gas can be amusing

 

[JRMora]

Just two things here (and I know i am going to get hammered)



1. First off, this isn't pointed at DKiesewetter, it's a reminder to ALL of us. Driving while excessively tired or after drinking is not cool guys. I live in a state that leads the nation in DUI fatalities (yup, NM) - we've had a problem for years. My mom was nearly taken out by a drunk (crossed the median and hit her Saab head-on with a closing speed of over 100 mph) 3½ months in the hospital, rehab, and wearing a halo and she'll have problems the rest of her life. A few months back while driving to work a guy from Mexico fell asleep in his truck right in front of me - just sailed right off the raod into the median. He was lucky - kept his truck upright when he came back across the interstate - missed me thank God. He was OK, but I think his truck was pretty well thrashed none the less. I stayed with him until the cops came.



This is not cool. If you are tired or drunk, stay off the road. That's for all of us.



Off my soap box now.



2. State farm (my insurance company) allows me $4000 in unreported upgrades to my truck (with receipts). Anything more won't be covered unless I put them in a rider on my policy. If any of you out there have a lot of customization, you'd better be talking to your agents. It'll cost you more in insurance, but if there is a catastrophic loss to your vehicle you'll be holding nothing but receipts



Juan

 

[Grizzly]

Hay Juan, that was a good post. Juan do you ever see a Flame Red Dually with a licence plate that says "GRIZZLY" on it going south on I-25 from Alameda Blvd. to Rio Bravo almost every morning and back to Alameda Blvd at quitting time? If you do, that would be me.



Oo.

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Doug,



The insurance may give you a portion of your mods, not sure about the entire amount.



I feel your pain about long hours and long drives. I live 85miles from work and being one of the partners, I rarely see less than a 12hr day.

Sometimes I find it better to pull over and catch a 20 min. rest. Just food for thought.

Keep the rubber side down!

 

[OTRPU]

And the government in it's wisdom says now I can drive 11 hours a day instead of 10. I'm gonna share with you, none of you want to get the experience I have. It's taken me a couple years to find out professional driving has alot more to do with knowing yourself, controlling your ego, and paying attention to your feelings than it has to do with controlling a vehicle. I learnt this from a 6 mos old infant, when she's tired she rubs her eyes. Now I know first sign I need sleep is my eyes start itching. First thing I do is kick off the cruise, second thing is stop and at least walk around the vehicle. That way I can make it to the third thing I do which is get my butt off the road. I didn't always know to do this. I learnt it after dragging a tag trailer into a parked disabled vehicle beside the Interstate. I too was lucky, didn't kill myself. . . or anybody else. Driving extended hours is fatiguing. If you don't learn your feelings, your brain is gonna have it's way and it will get what it needs. Glad you weren't seriously hurt and especially that no one else was involved. I count it a lesson learned the hard way, but is only learned if steps are taken to not repeat the bad experience. Not trying to preach, this is serious crap, and driver's need to learn to not let themselves be taken advantage of. They'll run you to death. . . and frequently do.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[LOtero]

just a little word of advice, i have found that eating and drinking stuff helps alot when it comes to staying awake, sunflower seeds do wonders

 

[DKiesewetter]

Entire post.



Cheers,

Steve J

Man, excellent advice. I appreciate that immensely. You are right on point, and that was a very kind way to show me what I should learn from this.



I'll let everyone know how it turns out.



Many Thanks,



Doug

 

[DKiesewetter]

I find this hrd to believe. IU got a call from my adjuster this morning. he wants to fix my truck... claims it won't be totalled unless the motor is bad... amazing. The turck is trashed. Trying to get me to agree to use another cab off a wrecked truck.



Doug

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

If they are going to fix it, isn't it your right to request ALL NEW parts??? Now how much they are going to pay is another matter.....

 

[Po' Riggity]

Doug, as I mentioned on PBB,

Im glad you are ok... For those insterested, here are some pics of the truck that I found on a site him and I are both on. .



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Hope you don't mind me posting these Doug. . And Im glad you are ok! Ive dozed once or twice in other cars, but never in my truck. .



Scott

aka Po' Riggity