Preventable accident today

Were you so close hitting it was possible?...Waiting until after you left seems very strange as well...

>>>> Now I don't have any way to defend myself,

Or they to prove you did it...Not sure that if that matters to safety departments or not...

 

Typically safe and management will go to bat for drivers that they know well. If someone is in a probationary period they'll usually just let it go. Hopefully the OP really impressed someone.

 

They must have told your safety dept. the "how" of how you might have hit it. I would take some pictures of where on your truck or trailer that might have come in contact with their building. Could be it was already damaged and they need a scapegoat for the insurance.

 

Well son, sometimes you just got to be honest and let God sort it out. Tell your Safety Dept just what you said here. Tell them you will be happy to take a picture of the 'no damage', and that is all you can do.
If you don't know what that Shipper is talking about, that is all you can say!

Hard to prove damage if no damage is visible, right? I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it, fwiw. I'd say there isn't going to be a hassle, if there is no visible damage.

 

What he said

 

What material was the building made of? Concrete, Brick or wood? If it was a wooden structure there may not be any obvious trailer damage. If it were concrete or brick you would think there would be pretty obvious marks on the trailer. I'd carry my fat arse back and look to see for myself, possibly take pictures. Of course you were reported after you left which sounds kinda fishy to me. Unless they didn't know right away. There is always the possibility someone else did it and reported you as the culprit. I'd want to know who witnessed the accident and I'd want to know why it wasn't reported sooner while you were there. If security cameras are in use and they have you on film...well... sorry about your bad luck driver. Not meaning that in a bad way, just sayin'. It's hard to dispute footage.

 

it could also be the o/p drove into a pot hole or hit a bump, causing all sorts of sounds and the people inside thought they heard the building being hit. one poster said if the build was made of wood, there would be marks, however, how does one differentiate one mark from one trailer to another...?? you can't...

it is highly possible the o/p did hit the building and didn't feel much if anything at all. it could be possible the warehouse IS LOOKING for a scape goat to previous damages.

there just isn't anyway to prove anything, so the safety dept WILL TAKE the word of the warehouse over the newbie, who i suspect will be either suspended or fired.

 

Hopefully he will be alright. There is a-lot of valid points here, but only speculations. He will know by the end of the day. Please let us know the outcome op.

 

First off call your safety director back and have a frank conversation--next ask him to check with THAT SHIPPERS insurance company and see what they have filed claims on before! I am not saying that something didn't happen(and if it did--please take a valuable lesson from this--because it is not the end of the world!)
having said this(and maybe because I am old and been out here forever it seems. I know(from many experiences)the amount of scams and scam artists that are out there! Luckily all but one--that has been tried on me I was there at the time and could instantly dispute. But just like the truck lawyer billboards--most people think(or know) that especially large carriers are mostly(or totally)self insured and have(in their minds) deep pockets! Busted side of bldg--rainy day--new driver-big carrier=$$$$.
Again this may not be the case--but it could be--so have it looked into--you may not get anywhere--but you tried.
If it is assertained you did do something--sit and talk to safety--let them know--you have learned from it(after all you ARE NEW)and if necssary--offer to help with the settlement--manning (or womaning--LOL)up still goes a long way with a lot of people. Besides either way what do you have to lose?
Just my$.02