I had a preventable accident and fired.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by GuamboyEli, Dec 3, 2024.

  1. GuamboyEli

    GuamboyEli Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2024
    Messages:
    17
    Thanks Received:
    8
    0
    Been working with Werner for 6 months. It’s my first trucking job. I got into my First accident on 11/24. They said the reason for termination was “violating company policy”. So now im looking for a new job. I checked knight. They said that Werner put me down for preventable accident. Now no one will won’t take me. My question is how long until someone will take me? I know it stays on your DOC for 3 years. I don’t have money for a lawyer so it is what it is. But I just wanna know if I should just pack it in and wait for 3 years or is it like a 6 month wait?
     
  2. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2011
    Messages:
    74,670
    Thanks Received:
    169,706
    Location:
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
  3. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2022
    Messages:
    782
    Thanks Received:
    996
    Location:
    Space Coast
    0
    which city is closest to you? Also check with your local companies because some might not use DAC. You have every right challenge that if it was not a preventable accident. I think I might speak for everyone on here but what company policy did you break?
     
    GuamboyEli and tscottme Thank this.
  4. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2008
    Messages:
    14,253
    Thanks Received:
    27,383
    Location:
    Somewhere out West, in my mind.
    0
    Try not to say "first accident". It may make people think you have other accidents in your record or you expect to have more accidents. Neither help you get a job. I suggest you instead discuss your "only accident" or "my accident".

    When discussing it with employers you need a one or two sentence description that is simple & also have a brief description of what you learned to prevent it from happening again. Long stories are heard as you are not taking responsibility for your driving.
     
  5. GuamboyEli

    GuamboyEli Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2024
    Messages:
    17
    Thanks Received:
    8
    0

    Picked up my phone 10 seconds before the accident. That’s why at first they said violating company policy. Idk why they changed it
     
    77fib77 Thanks this.
  6. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2010
    Messages:
    14,656
    Thanks Received:
    18,402
    Location:
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    Zero tolerance with many companies with hands on cell phone usage.
    Doubly so if you have an accident while using it.

    Werner probably stressed this point to you in orientation.
     
  7. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Messages:
    12,272
    Thanks Received:
    25,056
    Location:
    high plains colorado
    0
    Sorry, doesn't look good. If a big company like Werner puts you on "the list", you'll work for lesser companies forever. Never used to be that way. When you talked to the boss face to face, you could explain yourself, and may never have an incident again. I wrecked a truck my 1st month as a driver. Luckily, it wasn't my fault, and the boss knew it, I was driving the next day, had many good jobs, and it was never brought up. The next 34 years went incident free, so I'm proof it can be done.Today, that infraction goes to the Pentagon, and electronically tough to erase. It's the 1st thing a new employer looks at and an immediate red flag. Best of luck.
     
  8. silverspur

    silverspur Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2012
    Messages:
    1,645
    Thanks Received:
    7,331
    0
    Did a vehicle have to be towed away from the scene? Was anyone injured?
     
    tscottme and TripleSix Thank this.
  9. GuamboyEli

    GuamboyEli Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2024
    Messages:
    17
    Thanks Received:
    8
    0
    No one hurt. Yes their vehicle had to be towed
     
    silverspur Thanks this.
  10. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2015
    Messages:
    2,234
    Thanks Received:
    3,430
    0
    Check Craigslist - Try and find a company that will verify your employment with them once you start working. It will probably be a 1099 or a Chicagoland outfit which is bad news, but if you want to stay in the industry, you're going to have to suck it up.
     
    GuamboyEli Thanks this.