Rear End Accident, Career Ender?

If you can't react and stop without hitting someone, you are following too closely. That's exactly how his safety dept seen it.

No Bulldog, your career is not over. Many companies will allow you two minor accidents. You cut your choices way down, but there is someone that will hire you. You are right in the heart of reefer country. Maybe consider changing over.

Learn from your mistakes and move forward. Two lane roads, you can get down the road just as quick if you are 100' or 500' behind who you are following. Give yourself that extra cushion. Interstates, the shoulder is your friend and leaves you an out. There is no sense in running in groups if you can avoid it. Now you see why.

 

Nope, not a career ender. I know; it happened to me not too long ago. Fortunately, no one was hurt and I'm still employed. I also learned something; when driving through major metropolitan areas I tend to slow it down a bit. The drivers in these areas are always in a such ###### hurry to go nowhere and tend to get a bit unpredictable. If I'd increased my following distance I could have avoided the numbskull who unexpectedly came to a dead stop on the freeway (for no apparent reason), so I consider it my fault.

The only upside was that this was a lesson I'll probably never forget.

 

I was talking the whole situation not just the accident. He didn't give many details so we don't know really what happened. Maybe the cop cut him a break by giving him that ticketinstead of following too close?IDK Some of these safety guys would make ANY accident a preventable one. Myself if I was still in my lane and rear ended a car and had skid marks from braking up to the point of impact. I would fight the non control ticket. If I slid out of my lane or jack knifed than not so much. It's easy to say when its not you or me behind the wheel or at the scene.

 

Probably not a career ender, BUT, whenever you hit someone in the rear it's your fault according to most Insurance Companies and a lot of police and Judges and lawsuits.

Be prepared for some further action to happen. I/m not a scare monger but it can happen as I'll guarantee that every ambulance chaser in the area will be calling the cars involved in the accident so they can come after TCSI.

I guess you now understand that 3 second, 1 length for every 10 MPH and all the other "safety tips" out there!

Be prepared for calls from those lawyers and when the first one calls or shows up at your door call TCSI and ask them what they want to do and if they have been subpenaed for your records and logs and if so can you talk to their lawyer so whatever happens you have legal advice but do NOT answer any questions until you have talked to a lawyer. Those BFI ambulance chasers WILL talk you into a corner so again lawyer up when they start hitting you up!

 

This sadly, is true. That pick up truck driver may have said he was ok, but I'll bet he still wants a new pick up truck out of this.

Again, true. Even if only the maximum pay out from the insurance company pays, the vultures will still be there for their third cut. Sometimes after that is done, the civil lawsuits follow as well.

I cannot right now think of how much speed is equal to the 117' of skid marks.

Some companies demand that you supply them with a copy of the actual police report when you put down on the application that you have had an accident. This accident will of course stay on the 0/p's DMV report for whatever number of years his state keeps that on the immediate file.

Getting another job will be tough, as this accident was your fault (the o/p's). You cold try to find a way to perhaps go back for a quick refresher training to ensure future employers that you are dedicated to correcting your skills.

You will have to just keep pounding the pavement and continue to fill out online applications till something comes your way.

Good Luck, let us know how things work out for you.

 

Check your DAC & see if its on there you can do that free once a year they mail it to you www.hireright.com A failure to control not near as bad as following too close..Try some temp agency driver services you might be able to pick up some steady work like that....Sorry about your luck & everybody here knows it couldve happened to any one of us no matter how safe we think we drive..

 

things happen, and I hate to say it, but it is your fault for hitting the truck. You should have left enough room to stop......but that being said, i would have hit him too, along with just about everyother driver out here. We sometimes get into the flow and forget these little things and also who has not left 'sufficent room" only to have a car swoop in and cut that safe distance in half??

Glad everyone is ok, but you will really want to get a lawyer (i know it's expensive, especially since you just lost your job) but if you want to keep driving for a living, you will need to get that ticket dismissed. No comany will touch you with a "failure to control" ticket and their insurance companies will not allow them too.

 

A little over a year ago, I had a similar accident. I had just loaded 10,000 lbs. at Belcamp, MD headed south on I-95. The road is 4 lanes in each direction. I was in the second lane from the right, doing 60 in a 65 zone. Traffic was light to moderate. I had passed a UPS truck in the right lane. 2 vehicles passed me on the left, both in the far left lane. The second vehicle changed 2 lanes, cutting me of and braked hard. I braked hard. It was kind of if he was judging my speed as we braked. The driver stop in the middle of the interstate for no apparent reason. If he had stop 6 inches forward, there would have been no impact. We move to the side of the road. The driver of the SUV that I tapped said he didn't know why traffic stopped in front of him. There were no vehicles in the two middle lanes in front of us for well over 1000 ft. and they were not stopped. I walked back to the SUV and ask if everyone was ok. The driver said we are fine. I called 911 reported the accident with no injuries. About ten minutes later here comes: 1 fire dept. quick response team, 2 ambulances, a heavy rescue team, a FD pumper truck, a hazmat team, a Battalion Chief, and 2 MD State police officers. They removed the 2 passengers from the vehicles on back boards and transported them. I was ticked for failure to control vehicle. I tried to explain to the most arrogant LEO that I've ever met, what happened; he didn't want to here it, stating the 99% of the time the driver in the rear is at fault. So said the insurance company.

Anyway, I retained a lawyer, drove the 400 miles to court. The judge dismissed the charges based on my testimony, and there were no witnesses against me, and neither officer witness the accident. He apologized on behalf of the state of MD for me having to miss work, and drive 400 miles to be there. He also chastised the officer telling him that in this case he could not assign guilt. He should have ticketed both of us, or neither of us.

And finally my insurance had paid for damages to the other vehicle before I went to court to the tune of $5600.00. After I sent them a copy of my court papers showing the charge was dismissed, they investigated, and found that the entire accident was an insurance scam. The driver got nervous and ratted out his passengers. And even the estimate for the damaged vehicle was padded, which they are trying to recoup. The actual damage $1500.00. No injury payments were or will be paid, and charges are pending.

My insurance premiums increased 20% for three years due to them settling with the driver. But will be refunded in the form of discounts if they are successful at recouping the amount.

Sorry for the long post but it may offer some ideas to someone in the same situation.

 

Great news! Good luck Driver!