Backing incident. Utterly sick with myself.

I've only been out since Friday with this new job. My truck was having APU issues and I was sent to Thermoking to get it checked out. While leaving, I had to back in order to repoint my nose. When I started backing, there was no car there, but one pulled up before I was finished backing. My DOT bumper went over his hood and I am guessing it caused about $1500 worth of damage. The truck shows no damage at all, strangely enough. I stopped as soon as I heard the bump. The driver was not injured and the police did not issue a citation, but the police report will show I was at fault for improper backing. I documented and photographed everything and followed procedure.

I am not under load, so Safety asked me to park at the TA and stay put until Monday. I am absolutely sick about what happened. I am so careful. Really. My former boss said I was nearly safety OCD. I had high hopes that this was the job that I could turn my luck around with. I am afraid I will be fired on Monday since Safety told me to go off-duty and not take any loads. I have had phone calls from Dispatch and the Truck Owners. Everyone has been nice on the phone and have said, "#### happens," but I don't think the insurance company will have the same attitude.

i don't have any options do I? If I get fired, I'll be a driver with only 3 months experience and one accident. I don't think anyone is going to trust me with a $130,000 vehicle for a long time. I can't believe what I did. After everything I've done and SPENT to get here... I can't believe it.

 

Hate to hear this kind of stuff.

 

2 questions. Did you have your 4 ways on? Did you sound your horn before backing. If this is the case then you are not at fault,the car is for not yielding to a CMV maneuvering in a truck parking area.

 

Seems like a lot of accidents happened today.My boyfriend rolled and totaled his carriers pickup and has to face the owner and safety Monday

 

Don't blame yourself too hard on what happened nd sorry to hear that. just hang tight and see what they are going to do on monday and if you got fired its not over you will get another chance somewhere else, things happen and next time make sure you get out and look, clean mirrors and back up slowly if you are not sure about what's behind you or the car driver needed to change his car and he did that to you in purpose.

 

CJ, I'd say to relax a little and don't beat yourself up too badly. Almost every driver including myself has been involved in some kind of minor accident. Many will come here and say G.O.A.L. and while they are right I rarely see drivers actually practicing this in real world situations. Use this experience as a learning tool and try to be more cautious and aware of your surroundings in the future. If your company is understanding I'm sure they'll give you another chance to prove your worth as a driver. Maybe offer to your safety department that you'd be willing to take some additional training? I'm sure the willingness to show and prove that you want to improve as a driver would go a long way in their eyes.

 

I had 4-ways and did sound the horn, but I was moving so slowly that it took a while to execute the move. The car just bopped right up behind and didn't react. No horn. Nothing. The officer said I should've had someone out there spotting since the area was tight.

 

Well if he moved into the area you were backing to while you were moving then I would have to say it was his/her fault. Could you have seen them in your mirrors? Not saying it was not your fault, but just because the "officer" says you should have had someone spotting does not mean it was your fault. Ease up on yourself and see what pans out on Monday. Maybe check and see if that shop has video of the incident to help you out.

 

The Officer was incorrect if he said that YOU should have had somebody back there..... I would fight this tooth and nail. You were maneuvering in a truck parking area with 4-ways on. Don't beat yourself up over this, ya it is easy to say but, it is what it is. SADDLE UP !

 

man thats crazy. you try to be as safe as possible but then a car just comes and refuses to stop. i have this happen to me before but luckily I always watch my back. i dont think they will fire you though. so dont worry.