trying to find a job after accident

Op, while you think Joseph is being mean here. He is just being bluntly honest. The only job driving a truck you will get is done flu by night company running illegal as hell. The kind of company that just can't get drivers or keep the ones they got. You won't be cleared by the insurance company of any half way decent carrier. Not even the megas. The main problem is that while you see it as a bad mistake you won't repeat, the insurance companies have thousands of pages of data that says those who make this big of a mistake this early into their careers are very likely to make another costing millions of dollars if injury occurs next time, and tens of millions if it involves a fatality. Statistics man. That's all that matters to the insurance company. To them you are not an individual that can learn from a screw up, you are a very expensive lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

Intermodal may not touch him as well. Do not forget, if those boxes are not properly locked down, they too will fall off. I know, I witnessed an intermoal on the NJTP many years ago. Driver was heading for the local lanes to the GW Bridge, container fell off around the curve. The intermodals will look at this accident (in my opinion) as carelessness, and when hauling containers, they too cannot afford an accident.

Frankly, he may have to. If only for a while. He could also try to go back to what ever trucking school he went to for a re-fresher course, to try and show a potential employer he was willing to be re-trained. It may work, it may not. But also the truth is, that the longer he stays away from driving, he will most certainly have to go back for re-training, as with this accident, no insurance company will allow him the be hired. Except for one of the mega-carriers, that can be and many are, self insured, no mom and pop place can ever afford to be self insured.

Probably the better thing to do is, either seek new employment in a different industry, work the docks at some other place, maybe get lucky to take a 6 or 10 wheeler out for deliveries, or get a job with an o/o, who will not pay much either, and would require the o/p to claim on a 1099.

Best of luck, but it is what it is, we cannot correct anything, but lend an opinion or two.

 

I understand how you feel,.. but ultimately you have the final say in what you do. Right or wrong,.. when you get behind the wheel its your responsibility and no one elses. So the choices you make day to day will dictate where the path you make goes.

It will be difficult,.. many are simply at the mercy of their insurance companies.

I hate to sound crass,.. but I only see a few options. How bad to you want to stay driving? If this is your chosen career path then the only thing you can do is keep making phone calls and keep asking around until finally someone hires you. Thats all there is to it.

There is no magical formula in trucking other then keeping your nose clean and grinding out the miles. The slightest mistake can/will have dire consequences. Someone in a car falls a sleep and crashes and kills someone its typcially considered an accident. If a trucker does the same, its a negligible, criminal offense. And rightly so in my opinion. We are professionals, and as such we should and are held to a higher standard of accountability. So make sure this is indeed the career path you want to continue to follow. You may just have to suck it up where you are until 3 - 4 yrs pass and then try to get back in with a different company. That or try omitting the accident. If they dont ask directly,.. dont bring it up.

The other option is to go back to school and choose a different career path. I quit trucking after 7 yrs due to having kids and needing to be home more. Nope,.. wasnt easy. But I managed and made it work. So can you. 15 yrs later I came back into trucking. I had difficulty at first just like you. Perhaps even more so. I paid my dues, kicked and clawed my way to reach goals I had set. More goals to achieve.

Life lessons can throw a monkey wrench in your plans. With a roll over to your credit,.. personally I would be thankful to be alive. If there is something else you are good at or can do to temporarily subside an income for you, that would be what I would do. Then when the time comes, take a refresher course if you want to get back into trucking.

With what ever you do,.. find something that makes you happy or at least fulfilled while doing it. Life is too short to to spend a lifetime having regrets.

I wish you the best what ever you decide to do.

Hurst:smt111

 

Why do you hate it because he stating the obvious that he ###### up but he understands and want to move forward. Guess what a family still have to be feed regardless of his error. He own his mistake and asking for help. I wish him we'll. we all made a mistake before maybe not as serious but even some veteran truckers have roll over before.

 

Carolina Cargo is a second chance company and might hire you. The company gets bashed on here due to low pay. One driver that's been working there about 2 months is "taking home" $800.00 a week because he takes full advantage of the fuel bonus, on time delivery, etc. The guy is not a slacker; he keeps that truck moving. His trainer has been with Carolina Cargo 15 years.

 

Can you explain what cause you to roll over? It can be a teaching moment on this forum.

 

I don't think they will hire him. The CSA points will probably prevent it.

 

He told everyone on page 3 that he got flashed by 2 blondes in a Jaguar and wrecked trying to catch up and get pictures...

Justifiable.