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Question for all Experienced Drivers

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by classic, Feb 26, 2013.

Page 1 of 19
  1. Feb 26, 2013 #1
    classic

    classic Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2013
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    I had an accident when I was driving a garbage truck locally (Dec 12) and it is preventing me from getting hired anywhere. I was driving a right hand drive garbage truck and was trying to cross a highway and got hit on the left side of the truck. I had checked the roadway and didnt see anyone coming but there is also a big blind spot looking out the left side of the truck. I recieved a failure to yield right of way ticket and put at fault for the accident. There was injuries and a fatality as the van that hit me was doing 70+ mph. I am wondering if anyone here knows how I can get hired somewhere. I have tried most of the bigger companies (over 30 in total) and havent got a good answer yet. Can anyone help???
     
    classic, Feb 26, 2013
    classic, Feb 26, 2013
    #1
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  3. Feb 26, 2013 #2
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,137
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
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    Sorry to be the first one to rain on your parade but you won't get a good answer either because this accident is very recent.Better try again in like 5 plus yrs.
     
    pattyj, Feb 26, 2013
    pattyj, Feb 26, 2013
    #2
  4. Feb 26, 2013 #3
    TheTruckdr

    TheTruckdr Bobtail Member

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    Dec 19, 2009
    St Joe MO
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    That fatality is going to hurt your chances. And for a long time.
     
    TheTruckdr, Feb 26, 2013
    TheTruckdr, Feb 26, 2013
    #3
    Ghost Ryder and Tonythetruckerdude Thank this.
  5. Feb 26, 2013 #4
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

    3,081
    1,406
    Aug 7, 2006
    New Albany, IN
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    You will probably never drive a truck again. That fatality will follow you FOREVER.

    I'll bet there is a shady dump truck company that will hire you.
     
    Blind Driver, Feb 26, 2013
    Blind Driver, Feb 26, 2013
    #4
    Marksteven Thanks this.
  7. Feb 26, 2013 #5
    classic

    classic Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2013
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    So because of circumstances and someones stupidity that kills my chances of making a living with my CDL? I have had my license since I was 19. I have most of my experience driving in Canada.
     
    classic, Feb 26, 2013
    classic, Feb 26, 2013
    #5
  8. Feb 26, 2013 #6
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,137
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    Does'nt matter how long you have had your lisense,does not matter how many times you went to Canada.The point is you had that accident .[Actiually im surprised you didnt get you license taken away.So if you're not guilty why did'nt you fight this?QUOTE=classic;3124867]So because of circumstances and someones stupidity that kills my chances of making a living with my CDL? I have had my license since I was 19. I have most of my experience driving in Canada.[/QUOTE]
     
    pattyj, Feb 26, 2013
    pattyj, Feb 26, 2013
    #6
  9. Feb 26, 2013 #7
    Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    May 7, 2011
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    Yup...hate to say it, but being "at fault" in a fatality crash is a HUGE red flag to companies. Should another crash happen...even a less-severe one, the liability factor is astronomical. The 1-800-sue-a-trucker lawyer the other party hires will use that previous at-fault fatality against you and the company. They'll call it a "pattern of reckless behavior" and even if you WEREN'T at fault in the next crash, that lawyer is going to try his darndest to make it appear that you and your carrier were negligent.

    Crap happens. This one is going to be tough to get past...but there are folks out here driving after they've received a DUI, so there is always a chance that you'll find somebody willing to hire you. It might not be an OTR position, though. Good luck.
     
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Feb 26, 2013
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Feb 26, 2013
    #7
    Tonythetruckerdude and cdreid Thank this.
  10. Feb 26, 2013 #8
    biggare1980

    biggare1980 Medium Load Member

    344
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    Apr 29, 2009
    Springfield, Ohio
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    Its mainly the insurance companies,most of them are going to see you as a liability due to the fatality and they are the ones who decide if your hireable or not. Who's stupidity were you referring too? Hopefully not the driver of the van.
     
    biggare1980, Feb 26, 2013
    biggare1980, Feb 26, 2013
    #8
  11. Feb 26, 2013 #9
    misc

    misc Light Load Member

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    Mar 18, 2010
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    Who's stupidity are you referencing? You admitted you had a huge blind spot on your left side. You were crossing a highway where traffic travels at 70 mph. Someone died when you pulled in front of them.
     
    misc, Feb 26, 2013
    misc, Feb 26, 2013
    #9
    double yellow, DOTrevenuepatrol, cdreid and 3 others Thank this.
  12. Feb 26, 2013 #10
    classic

    classic Bobtail Member

    15
    1
    Feb 26, 2013
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    I had no chance to fight it. The police officer said they did their investigation and issued me the ticket. The van made no attempt at stopping or even responding to what happened in front of them. There is also a hill down the road from the crossing and you cant see traffic until they top the hill. When i looked that way no one was there. This is a known bad intersection with multiple fatalities have happened there.
     
    classic, Feb 26, 2013
    classic, Feb 26, 2013
    #10
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