1 DOT Recordable on Class B - Will Carriers Sponsor Me to CDL A Upgrade?

Hello, I can't find a specific post on my situation.

I received a DOT recordable for rear-ending someone who slammed on their brakes in front of me because they saw a pedestrian on the side of the road coming up a hill. The intersection was a blind one and very controversial in that town. The pedestrian did not active the crosswalk warning lights.

My employer reviewed the drive cam and told me there was nothing I could have done to avoid this... I did not lose my job and maintained my "trainer" status with the company. Their lawyer is defending me in the lawsuit, and a judge gave me supervision as this is the only accident I have ever had in 40 years of driving and 3 years of Class B driving. My MVR is squeaky clean otherwise.

I would like to hire on specifically at Millis Transfer's CDL training program because their company seems to check off the most boxes for me as a long-term career. Their main website seems to indicate that they would take me as a student, but they have another website that states no major accidents or moving violations on current license in the last 5 years.

If anyone is familiar with Millis or any other major carrier that will hire me on despite this, I would love to hear from you. Additionally, any advice on getting into the industry is much appreciated as well.

 

I am moving from Illinois to Tennessee in July. After getting a TN drivers license I will take the CLP test and apply to companies. I would prefer regional driving as I still have a 14 year old daughter at home. My husband will stay with her but I want to see her as often as I can. Money isn't the main motivator for me... I fell in love with bobtails as a transfer driver for a truck dealership.

 

We are moving to the Johnson City area... thanks for the encouragement!

 

Yes, I see your point and I need to be careful how I say things. The camera showed I was driving under the speed limit and I had about a 5 second following distance. It also showed I was attentive to my driving. The hill was steep and by the time my brain registered a stopped vehicle in front of me it was too late to get my vehicle stopped in time. So yes, technically it was my fault and the safety manager told me at the end of the day it was following distance. But he advocated for me with corporate and corporate allowed me to keep my training job because I wasn't being negligent.