CG accident

[hondo122]

Ok here goes nothing, we made reservations for the weekend at the Jersey shore. When we arrived the CG owner said he made a mistake and the site we were supposed to go on was too small for our 39' 3 slide coach. He then said he would find a site for us. 10 minutes later he came back and said he had a site at the rear of the CG where the seasonal sites are and took me back to look. The road back was tight and had trees lining and leaning over the road. I expressed doubt but he assured me he could guide me in and out with no problems. Well made it in ok, today I went to the office for help getting out. He led the way guiding me. We got to a tight turn to avoid a one way road we took in. Well I sure you know what's next, the rear of the awning got hammered by a leaning tree. I wasn't even out of the rig and he's saying that I knew the tree was there.OK I know I was driving and all but I was relying on his directions. Does anyone think he has any responsiblity?
No flames just asking for opinions.

[hondo122]

Ok here goes nothing, we made reservations for the weekend at the Jersey shore. When we arrived the CG owner said he made a mistake and the site we were supposed to go on was too small for our 39' 3 slide coach. He then said he would find a site for us. 10 minutes later he came back and said he had a site at the rear of the CG where the seasonal sites are and took me back to look. The road back was tight and had trees lining and leaning over the road. I expressed doubt but he assured me he could guide me in and out with no problems. Well made it in ok, today I went to the office for help getting out. He led the way guiding me. We got to a tight turn to avoid a one way road we took in. Well I sure you know what's next, the rear of the awning got hammered by a leaning tree. I wasn't even out of the rig and he's saying that I knew the tree was there.OK I know I was driving and all but I was relying on his directions. Does anyone think he has any responsiblity?
No flames just asking for opinions.

[ParTheCourse]

The Captain of the ship can delegate authority but not responsibility.

[GaryKD]

Sorry Mike, I agree with the other Mike. The vehicle operator is totally responsible for the vehicle.

[Tom N]

This is why I rarely, if ever, direct a stranger when he's parking.

-Tom

[hondo122]

One excuse, and only one. This was the campground owner not an employee, I was in that spot only because he screwed up the reservation and we had the Grand Daughters with us on Memorial day. Everything was booked solid and I couldn't dissapoint the girls.

[buckeyes]

First rule: Adults should make adult decisons based on good common sense, and if that means a little disappointment vs. potential damage to property or person, then take the high road.
I am sure that if faced with the same situation, I would have not taken the spot in the first place. All is well that ends well, at least it was property that got hurt along with some pride. That is how we learn from mistakes.

[Hillbilly2]

I tend to disagree, as you were relying on a "Professional Spotter" some responsibility lies with the campground, but good luck on getting them to ante up. You would probally have to file a claim against their insurance company, but they probally have a disclaimer in the check-in paperwork relieving them of any responsibility.

[read & learn]

Hondo which Jersey Shore CG was this at. I use a couple of them as we spent some time in NJ to visit with the Grand Kids.

[hondo122]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by buckeyes:
First rule: Adults should make adult decisons based on good common sense, and if that means a little disappointment vs. potential damage to property or person, then take the high road.
I am sure that if faced with the same situation, I would have not taken the spot in the first place. All is well that ends well, at least it was property that got hurt along with some pride. That is how we learn from mistakes. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gene, it wasn't a little disappointment it was calling of the trip, the owner assured me he could guide me with no problems. I guess I don't learn easy because if the situation arose again I'll probably make the same call. Maybe I'm to trusting of others.

[Northern-Canadian]

Well Mike I too am very trusting. I think that after the owner made the original mistake about not getting a suitable site for the MH, I would worry about his judgment about other things as well. I think in future I would also have my wife spotting as well; you can never have too many eyes. Next time you might just want to carry along a chain saw with you so you can take matters into your own hands. I think you should write a letter to the campground owner and see if he is willing to come to some sort of amicable arrangement for the both of you. Good luck.

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hondo122:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by buckeyes:
First rule: Adults should make adult decisons based on good common sense, and if that means a little disappointment vs. potential damage to property or person, then take the high road.
I am sure that if faced with the same situation, I would have not taken the spot in the first place. All is well that ends well, at least it was property that got hurt along with some pride. That is how we learn from mistakes. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gene, it wasn't a little disappointment it was calling of the trip, the owner assured me he could guide me with no problems. I guess I don't learn easy because if the situation arose again I'll probably make the same call. Maybe I'm to trusting of others. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The owner of the campground accepted the responisibility when he presented himself as profesional capable of providing the service of safely guiding you to and from a remote site on his property and further sealed this by attaching it to a service that involved a fee.

This was not a "Good Samaritan" trying to help you out of a tight spot but a paid service that was offered as part of the deal to get you to take the less than ideal site.

That said I have often had helpful bystanders offer me direction but after thanking them I would still have my own spotters out there to override them if needed.

I just had to traverse an quarter mile long 8 foot 6 inch wide winding country lane and there were plenty of locals trying to offer assistance to get to a wooded glen that my wife had her heart set on. Slowly with plenty of stops and sometimes frustrated helpers when I got out multiple times to scope out and verify their directions we got through without a scratch. Well maybe a few green stains from the leaves on the trees. Turning around and getting back out was fun also but I did not take any advise from other than my own spotters without a few grains of salt and a multitude of double checks.

If I was paying for the service I would have still been just as cautious but would have been doubly upset by bad advise especially if it led to damages.

Live and learn.

[historyljc]

I think Neil V has the correct position on this one. Any employee of the CG assisting and giving directions puts the CG liable for damages for their errors. However, getting them to pay may be another story. If push comes to shove and you have to sue, try getting an attorney to the case if there was no bodily injury involved. It would cost more to pay an attorney on a "just property damage suit" than you could recover.

I can't listen to but one spotter at the time. DW with her radio is mine. She has a vested interest in the coach.

[rjf7g]

This is the deal I have cut with my partner...

If I am driving and a boo boo happens, it is my fault. If I am spotting and a boo boo happens, it is also my fault.