I've been driving a big rig professionally for 7 years. Like all of us in this vocation I have witnessed some crazy antics on the road committed by both cars and big rigs, I was finally personally affected by it.
I was minding my business on I-5 S. through Sacramento a few weeks ago on a Saturday morning around 1100. I was in the #3 out of 4 lanes, 55 mph keeping it between the lines. In an instant I felt a thump at the rear passenger side of the trailer. I looked in the mirror and saw a car spinning clockwise away from under the trailer! Windshield smashed and a tire flying through the air.
I was unable to pull over immediately, however, did so where it was safe and called 911. I made a visual inspection of the trailer and saw damage to the aluminum side rail and damage to the end of a crossbeam.
They dispatched an officer to me who took the report. I discovered the other driver was uninjured and was relieved, however, it took almost a month for me to actually get my hands on the accident report.
It turns out the driver who hit me was a 20 year female. She admitted to driving at speeds of 90 to 100 mph, she was in a hurry to go "see her mother." She was in the #2 lane and made an unsafe lane change behind me into the #4 lane.
The officer reported she was driving on "balding tires" on wet pavement. When she came around me one of her tires blew, she spun counter clockwise underneath the trailer, hit the hanger bracket on the front rear axle and was spun back out from the underside of the trailer.
Oh, I forgot to mention she was using a handheld device! Probably updating a selfie on her Facebook page...
Now, this accident will be listed on CSA as an accident that I was involved in and will also be listed on my own personal company authority with NO distinction of who was at fault! Only that another big rig was involved in a vehicular accident.
I hope the young lady had a come to Jesus movement. In addition, I hope they suspend her license for a year and get her off the road.
My first trucking related accident...
Discussion in 'Trucking Accidents' started by Scooter Jones, Feb 21, 2016.
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peterbilt_2005, tinytim, skellr and 5 others Thank this.
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Yep, that's what happens all right, you get dinged for something you could not have prevented. Sorry to hear that happened to you. I'm just glad you did the right thing instead of rolling on as some would do.
tsavory and Scooter Jones Thank this. -
That's one of the things that really disgust me about being a trucker. Even when we have no control of such misbehavior and stupidity 9times out of 10 WE'RE BLAMED FOR IT. Time for a CHANGE!!!
tech10171968, goin2fast10 and Scooter Jones Thank this. -
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tech10171968, Lepton1, goin2fast10 and 1 other person Thank this.
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Just keep copies of all the documentation should you need it, changing jobs, any question about insurance eligibility etc. I had an old lady make a lane change directly in front of me outside of Wash DC, pushed her and her Prius sideways down the road for 300 ft. "She just didn't see me". Maryland State trooper immediately determined her to be at fault, she signed said form at the scene, her insurance paid within 7 days. Hasn't created any problems, but the lack of fault in CSA records is one of many glaring errors that system has.
tsavory, tech10171968 and Scooter Jones Thank this. -
Next time stay in the # 4 and mind your own business, nothing good happens when your cruzing in # 3 lane, you just give people a reason to pass you on the right..and right side passing is not good...
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Just sayin'...peterbilt_2005, scottlav46, ttyson and 1 other person Thank this. -
peterbilt_2005 and Scooter Jones Thank this.
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Too bad, you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Life just sucks sometimes. But as @Studebaker Hawk said, be sure you keep all the documentation of this for future reference.
Scooter Jones Thanks this.
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