Trailer Accident-warning graphic

December 16,2011 Driving down 1-69 to deliver our sweet pony to her new home a man from the northbound side of the road flew across all his northbound lanes of traffic, through the median and launched airborne into the southbound lanes right into the side of our truck and trailer. The truck was totaled, trailer ripped in half, and our wonderful pony lost her life all because of a selfish person driving while tired who never considered what what happed if he fell asleep, We are all very lucky with only minor scrapes and bruises, including the man that hit us who by the way never said a word of apology to us. PLEASE PLEASE DONT DRIVE WHEN YOU ARE TIRED..EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU CAN.

*****UPDATE*********
Ok, really learning alot from this accident. Firstly to value every day you have on earth, but secondly my dissapointment with the amount of recourse innocent people really have in this type of situtation. If you own a horse trailer and it is not SPECIFALLY described on your policy IT IS NOT COVERED!! Not by my company, nor his....or so our Farm Bureau policy rep tells me. We also have a farm policy that will not cover it unless it was standing still when hit. Really??? This world is ridiculous. We contacted an attorney who says we cannot go after his insurance either. From what the attorney has told us our only recourse is small claims court. The small claims limit is $1500, so Im out about $10,000 still?? Just doesnt seem right. Any ideas?Suggestions? I welcome the help,please. So this guy has a Happy Merry Christmas and we have to scrape to clean up the mess he caused. We have always been told when the trailer is hooked to the truck it is covered, thats not true. So if you have a trailer please make sure you have additional coverage listed for it.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horse
• accident

[KateFlaherty]

I am a lawyer and a horse owner, and there absolutely is liability here, for your actual property losses and emotional suffering based on his complete negligence, whether he was drunk or not. You can and should sue him, and he can fight with his insurance company about covering your losses. Or you can get a personal judgment against him and try to seize assets or put a lien on any real or personal property. You need to find a smart and agressive lawyer - they are NOT all the same.

[mainebnd]

@KateFlaherty Thank you for your input it is greatly appreciated

[Pasafino27]

Thank you for sharing please keep us posted on how things are going as far as getting your life back. I'm sorry for the loss of a good horse but thankful it wasn't any worse. It would be mean but getting some animal help involved might be the way to go. You need to be heard, this is not fair. Why do we live in a state that doesn't protect it's drivers or the animals traveling on it's roads? Who are we paying to insure? The state? the other driver?

[mainebnd]

@Pasafino27 AMEN!!!! 

[jillkramer83]

Liability comes from the truck& you have to list f/con trailer. Did it myself w/a boat,wish they offered to pay but I didnt list it,not his fault& the ins people dont always know what we own.Weve all had accidents.Could he afford to put some towards it?If he was driving crazy/drunk I'd understand going after him but its an accident.He should of apologized,could have been any of us.Pain &suffering on an accident,someday it could be you being sued dont forget.I feel bad but we cant always sue

[mainebnd]

@jillkramer83 Nope, definetely not an "accident", just got the police report back he was definetely drinking.

[Tagan17]

Im sorry for your terrible loss. It just shows how careless people can be and how they couldn't care less about any one but them selves I wish you a happy new years.

[jillkramer83]

Then he should for sure be in trouble and I believe you can get the money to replace the trailer then. Hope you end up having a Merry Christmas and hope it works out. Good Luck.

[lesliemort3]

You need to contact a different lawyer, look for a lawyer who has experience in this type of situations..... and the prosecutor you need to contact is the one from where the accident occured. This will be a battle for you , and alot of foot work. BUT it will pay off in the long run. In some states falling asleep at the wheel is just as punishable by the law as DUI. Obviously not in the state your accident occurered. I wish you the best and good luck.

[Backroadrunner]

Per my mother/insurance agent: A trailer when hooked to a vehicle has liability coverage only & technically that is only if the GVW of the trailer is 2000 lbs or less. As for the physical damage – if you want coverage for the trailer for physical damage then yes it has to be listed on the policy. And, no it cannot be on a farm or homeowners policy because it is licensed for the road & has a GVW of more than 2000 lbs. With Mi No-Fault you are responsible for your own vehicles.