Accidents & Penalties, how does it affect your career?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Zanadu, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    So here is a story for you to think about.

    about four years ago a driver for FedEx fleet was driving down a two lane road after 9pm, he is taking his time, 5 under the limit because he was in no hurry to drop the trailer off at the yard.

    He just passed the deer crossing sign so he even slowed down a bit more. Here comes a flock of deer running across the road, he said there were at least twenty of them, which knowing the area, it is likely there were thirty of them. Something spooked them and normally if there is one or two, hitting them would be done but not with twenty of them, he slams on the brakes, puts the truck into the side rails on the road, he didn’t hit one of them.

    FedEx safety was called, then the fleet owner about the accident. The cops said there was no way to avoid the accident, both cops were on the side of the driver and told FedEx it wasn’t even consider a preventable by their standards.

    but FedEx told the fleet owner to get another qualified driver in the truck, this driver was involved with a preventable accident ... period.

    the fleet owner just moved the driver to another operation outside of FedEx, the truck damage was minimal, bumper and wheel/tire, wheel realignment of the truck and hood ... it was like it never happened.

    Two months later, my daughter was driving on the same road with her brand new car (less than 50 miles on it) and five deer crossed the road as she was approaching the deer crossing sign she slowed down and hit two of the deer, totaled out her car. She has totaled out two cars and hit one with my beater pickup ... she seems to attract deer for some reason and I wish she wouldn’t.
     
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  3. Zanadu

    Zanadu Bobtail Member

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    I was asking about CMV.
     
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  4. Cobrakaiguy

    Cobrakaiguy Light Load Member

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    Well know the facts of the incident would help greatly, was it while operating a CMV or personal car, and a no fault crash can still be a preventable crash or incident.
     
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  5. Zanadu

    Zanadu Bobtail Member

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    No accident, just asking to learn. I am brand new here and no CDL yet. My POV driving record is totally clean.
     
  6. homeskillet

    homeskillet Road Train Member

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    I was told by a safety guy years ago, "If you're at the wheel, it's preventable."

    Some companies really do think that way.
     
  7. Zanadu

    Zanadu Bobtail Member

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    I saw a video of a guy in a delivery van parked having lunch and a sinkhole opened right under his vehicle. He fell into the hole about 12 feet or so, the entire van was under the street. I would certainly hope no one would blame him for that accident.
     
  8. homeskillet

    homeskillet Road Train Member

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    You would think so.

    You would hope so.

    But, no guarantees. Depends on the company.
     
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  9. tlalokay

    tlalokay Medium Load Member

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    I'm sure there are 1099 companies out here that charge a "fee" to the driver for accidents which conveniently add up to their insurance deductible.
     
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  10. Flankenfurter

    Flankenfurter Light Load Member

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    I like it when drivers share their stories. Thanks.

    Sounds like dispatch called FedEx to let them know the load was involved in an accident and FedEx simply told them to get another driver out there pronto. Now, if the carrier calls it a "preventable" hmmm. Would it have mattered if the driver had dashcam footage, the officers name and badge number for a written statement, and a copy of the policy report showing it was not preventable?

    How can drivers prove their cases when they're not at fault?
     
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  11. Zanadu

    Zanadu Bobtail Member

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    That is a great question, in the end do drivers have a legal right to fight to determine if an accident is labelled preventable, who actually decides this and puts it on the record?.
     
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