I feel stuck and out of options, any advice?

Hello everyone, thanks for taking the time to read my thread, didn't know where to put this so I chose this part of the forums, if it's wrong and a mod catches it, feel free to move it to where it might belong.

I have 1 year of driving experience. It was all on the oilfields of west Texas. I did drive around 200-300 miles a day but it was within a 100 miles radius usually. I drove a vacuum tank truck (tractor trailer) so I do know how to drive a semi. I had an unfortunate event, I rear ended a roustabout truck (fender bender, no one injured) but a rear end none the less. Traffic came to a sudden stop, after taking off from a guided stop at a construction road. Everyone was following the pilot car, I was the last vehicle on the line. From what I can remember, I just saw the truck in front of me brake and it was too late for me to come to a full stop so I hit him. I was let go from my company due to that accident. I found another job with another water hauling company, but that company lost all work due to a huge slow down on the area where I was so I was forced to move back home to Las Vegas.

I think it's worth noting that my accident is not on my record, I got a lawyer to try to get it taken care of and it is still processing. (the accident was back in November of 2014) Since I've been home I've been applying to OTR companies and they have told me that I have to wait 2 years from the accident for them to be able to consider me. Although my accident it is not on my record, I still say that, that is why I was let go from that company (you know, being honest and what not) but that usually dismisses me from obtaining the job.

I don't know what to do;

Option 1) I have tried small companies on CL, and since I'm not old enough their insurance won't cover me (i'm 22 almost 23 yrs old)

Option 2) I can lie/withhold information about the accident since it's technically not on my record, but if they call that company they probably will tell them what happened and or if my case fails it'll go on record either way and if I end up getting employed and they find out they'll probably fire me on the spot.

Option 3) Do the application and not even get a call back due to my accident (which is what I've been doing)

Today I spoke with a recruiter at Transport America. I just supplied my contact info, didn't waste time doing app to just get denied like from the other carriers. She asked me if I had been over the road I said no, but I do know how to drive a tractor trailer, she said that my experience didn't qualify so she wasn't able to do anything for me until I got some over the road experience. And they hire students fresh off school.. so I guess me knowing how to drive doesn't count.. Didn't get that but O well.. moving on...

CRST also said that due to my accident they weren't able to qualify me until 2 years had passed... Couple of months back US Xpress told me the same thing, although the recruiter said I would be able to get on once the 24 month had passed, assuming I would still be doing some sort of commercial driving..

So basically my fate lies in this, get out of trucking until the 2 years has passed (which I don't want to do because this is the career I chose and it's what I want to do) and then after that time, I'll apply and since I won't have any "recent" driving experience they're going to 1 deny me, or 2 have me go through their "refresher" course... I just can't comprehend why me having experience driving won't qualify me, and a student fresh off school qualifies... (nothing against them, I was there too, but just saying...)

Could anyone with more experience/knowledge in life than me please shoot at me some suggestions on how to move forward? I am honest and hard working, great worth ethics, I take care of equipment, I can do the long hours/away from home etc. I just need a 2nd chance I guess. If anyone knows of a small company around my area please let me know. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for your replies in advance.

P.S I'm looking for a company that run teams, as that's what I want to do with my wife. I've exhausted my options with, CRST, USXpress, Schneider because I disclosed my accident info. I have to wait 24 months after the accident date to re apply for them, for Schneider is 7 years lol.

 

Thanks, just checking back on it and I see a few replies.

 

That's correct, I am currently unemployed. I have lost a chance with some decent companies that would've suited my situation because I was honest of what happened. US Xpress was one of my first choices because I want to Team OTR with my gf, but they won't hire me until 24 months have passed from the accident.. So now I have fewer and fewer options that do teams, which is what I really want to do.. Thanks for reply and advice. I'll start doing it that way as they leave me with no choice.

 

I am going to try to do that. I don't know anyone that is an owner operator around my area. But I am trying to do that, I check craigslist everyday day couple of times a day. Thanks for advice.

 

Yes, I got a ticket that said "failure to control speed" or something like that. So it was DOT recordable. Before I had a cdl, I got a speeding ticket, took it to a lawyer and he got it dismissed, I figured I could do the same with this one. It is still pending but so far has worked out because it is not on my record yet and I haven't paid any fines or anything. It just sucks that it is still pending lol..