My first trucking related accident...

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.

 

Fortunately, there were 2 witnesses who pulled over and waited for the CHP. Their testimonies corroborated exactly what the young lady admitted to of happened.

 

Oh contraire my friend. I personally travel that section of I-5 twice a week and know that the #4 lane comes to an end right where she attempted to pass me at 90 mph. I did absolutely NOTHING wrong and gave her NO reason whatsoever to do what she attempted to do. Try not to jump conclusions before you make a an asinine statement like that on public forum again.

Just sayin'...