12/13/2010 I was in an accident

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by TruckDriver23, Dec 14, 2010.

  1. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    Walstib: I understand your point. However, it has been said many times if conditions are as bad as you describe, you shouldn't even be out in it. If you have a collision in these conditions, as the professional driver, you should have known better than to be out there regardless of delivery schedules and jerk dispatchers.
     
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  3. TruckDriver23

    TruckDriver23 Light Load Member

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    No, I am not worried about the drug test. What I was worried about is how many points this will be on my CDL and even if it is worth fighting for. I'd hate to drive all the way to Michigan. Maybe I can set something up with my work to where a driver can drop me off around or near the court house and I'll find a ride the rest of the way and the same driver can pick me up on his way home. I don't know. I have to speak to my safety adviser today. Normal procedure. I have to give a statement and so does my driving partner.

    Yes, I had someone else with me who is giving a statement. Gave a statement to the police officer as well. He was in the passenger seat. He saw everything just as I did. Funny thing happened. The second thing he said to me after the wreck is "You idiot, you spelled my pop!" Way to lighten the mood. He is a good guy. Knows I am a good driver but also understands that I just hit ice and couldn't regain control of the truck.

    When it began to jack knife I let up on the acceleration. Didn't help anything. I began to then speed up and over steer and that didn't work either. I then honestly freaked out because at that point I was going towards the guard rail and I began to hit the brakes. lol. That didn't help either. Lots of ice.

    Maybe the accident is my fault. But like was said earlier, I could have been pushing a car and it would have sled. I was out there because the roads weren't bad enough IMO to warrant me stopping. I have seen worse and I'm sure the folks on here with a decade or more of driving have seen way more that what my eyes have seen.

    Someone asked what I was thinking when I was headed for the guard rail. I was thinking of my life ending. I wasn't fully loaded. Around 25k pounds. Still, I thought I was going to burst through that rail and fall onto the highway below. I was being tossed around even with my seat belt on. I was honestly thinking that this was it. Like, what ever the worse that could happen, is what flashed in front of my eyes. I pictured myself along with my partner going tractor first through the guard rail and the trailer crushing us.

    Glad we made it out alive. Anyone want to see the pictures?
     
    scottied67 and Big Don Thank this.
  4. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Lot of accidents in that area this past few days for black ice.

    As for the BEER CANS , saw that a few times as well assisting at a crash , COP picks up old can or bottle from the ditch and questions the driver who just had an accident. I old bottle actually had moss growing on it and he still asked if it belonged to the driver.
     
  5. Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

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    "Undrivable Conditions" and "Experience" are relative to locale. I've spent most of my life working in weather and road conditions that would cause massive coronarys to most of my Southern brethern. I chuckle when I hear folks talking about "Those crazy fing Canadians don't know when to get off the road.". Folks, what is panicking you is what constitutes a light snow flurry where we come from.

    Yet mI've been South long enough to realize that "impassible conditions" are constituted by the lack of experience by those around me coupled by the laughable (to me) methods employed by the highway depts to counter winter conditions. Pouringsalty Brine Water on highways to combat ice??? Come ON people.:biggrin_25523:
     
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  6. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    "Those crazy fing Canadians don't know when to get off the road.". Folks, what is panicking you is what constitutes a light snow flurry where we come from. :biggrin_2553: Tell that to the 200 trucks and 100 + 4 wheelers stuck on HWY 402 in Ontario , and whats that wet stuff the spray on the roads , CALCIUM , we use that to keep the DUST down in the summer.

     
  7. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    lol, good point but most of us don't consider Southern Ontarion's real Canadians :)
     
  8. annettecj

    annettecj Medium Load Member

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    Thank God Your ok. Ive had some close calls in my career, but always pulled out ok. I must say though, its hearing stories like yours that have helped me stay safe out there. What I mean is, it just keep reminding me about the dangers. Ive been off the truck for a few months, but going back out next month. Its been a bad wiinter so far and I hope everyone stays safe.
     
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  9. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Sure I would like to see the pictures. And as far as thinking "well, this is it," that was exactly what I was thinking as I headed more or less jackknifing) towards the barrow ditch. I got lucky and got it straightened out though, so that I went into the ditch pretty much head on, and right on through the ditch and into the field on the other side.

    The fact is driver, that sometimes stuff happens. You try to prevent it, you try to be a safe driver, but just a seconds worth of bad judgement, or just plain bad luck, can really screw things up.

    Yes, let's see some pix!
     
  10. truckinusa

    truckinusa Light Load Member

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    Ponca City, OK
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    I'm like you I always pull out. I hate close calls!:biggrin_2559:
     
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  11. LandShark

    LandShark Road Train Member

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    Riverdale, Ga
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    I tell you this Ohio builds some dang good guard rail too. Back in '92 I hit some black ice on 75 south at the 111. And now that is my personal 70 ft of guard rail. it only cost $770. As Ohio sent me the bill to repair it. LOL. I hope Michigan doesn't bill you for the repair.
     
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